What is zaleplon used for

Zaleplon interacts with the GABA receptor complex and shares some of the pharmacological properties of benzodiazepines. Zaleplon is used for insomnia therapy trouble sleeping. It belongs to a group of drugs called depressants of the central nervous system CNS , which slow down the nervous system. Zaleplon is going to help you get to sleep quicker and sleep all night. Zaleplon does not help you remain asleep for longer or decrease the number of times you wake up during the night.

Zaleplon belongs to the group of medicines known as hypnotics. It works to allow sleep by slowing activity in the brain.

Zaleplon Side effects: Some of the common side effects of Zaleplon are: Drowsiness Dizziness Lightheadedness Lack of coordination Numbness Tingling in hands Headache Loss of appetite Vision problems Eye pain Sensitivity to see Painful menstrual periods Some of the serious side effects of Zaleplon are: Rash Itching Hives Swelling of face Hoarseness Difficulty in breathing Zaleplon can also cause some other serious side effects. Talk with your doctor if you are experiencing any unusual problems while you are taking these medications.

Precautions: Before taking Zaleplon talk with your doctor if you are allergic to it or any other medications. The product may also contain some inactive ingredients which can cause some serious allergic reactions or some other serious problems. Before taking Zaleplon talk with your doctor if you are having any medical history such as Liver problems, low blood pressure, breathing problems and depression.

How to take Zaleplon? Zaleplon comes as a capsule that should be taken orally. Typically it is taken at bedtime to fall asleep. Do not take zaleplon with a heavy or high-fat meal. If taken with high-fat foods, Zaleplon will not function well.

After taking Zaleplon soon you will fall asleep. Right after you take zaleplon, plan to go to bed and sleep 7 to 8 hours. Zaleplon helps in making you fall asleep.

Zaleplon may form a habit. Do not take a higher dosage, take it more often than recommended by your doctor, or take it for a longer period of time. Do not quit taking Zaleplon without talking to your doctor about it. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary.

When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases.

If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you.

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:. Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

If too much is taken, it may become habit-forming causing mental or physical dependence. This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions. Take zaleplon just before going to bed or when you have trouble falling asleep. This medicine works very quickly to put you to sleep. Do not take this medicine when your schedule does not permit you to get a full night's sleep about 7 to 8 hours.

If you must wake up before this, you may continue to feel drowsy and may experience memory problems, because the effects of the medicine have not had time to wear off. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Do not double doses. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at Do not let anyone else take your medication. Zaleplon is a controlled substance.

Prescriptions may be refilled only a limited number of times; ask your pharmacist if you have any questions. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements.

You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. Zaleplon pronounced as zal' e plon. Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used?

Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose? What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Brand names.

Other uses for this medicine. What special precautions should I follow? Before taking zaleplon, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to zaleplon, aspirin, any other medications, tartrazine a yellow dye in some processed foods and drugs , or any of the ingredients in zaleplon capsules.

Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. Be sure to mention any of the following: antihistamines such as diphenhydramine Benadryl or promethazine; barbiturates; cimetidine Tagamet ; cough and cold medicines; erythromycin; ibuprofen; imipramine Tofranil ; ketoconazole Nizoral ; medications for allergies such as diphenhydramine Benadryl , depression, or mental illness; certain medications for seizures such as phenytoin Dilantin , carbamazepine Epitol, Tegretol, others , and phenobarbital; pain relievers; promethazine Promethegan ; rifampin Rifadin, Rimactane ; sedatives, other sleeping pills, thioridazine, and tranquilizers.

Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Also tell your doctor if you have ever thought about killing yourself or tried to do so and if you have or have ever had depression, mental illness, seizures, lung disease or breathing problems, or kidney or liver disease.

If you become pregnant while taking zaleplon, call your doctor. Older adults should not usually take zaleplon because it is not as safe or effective as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition. Take extra care to be sure you do not fall, especially if you get out of bed in the middle of the night.