Zaleplon (Sonata)
Hypnotic (GABA-A receptor agonist at subtype involved in sleep (alpha-1))
- Hypnotic1
- Short half-life
Features
Dosing
5-20mg/night
Management
Warn of driving problems, am fatigue (though this is lower with short-half-life zaleplon), dangerous sleep behaviors (cooking while half asleep). Metabolized through CYP3A4.
Shortest acting hypnotic (half-life 1.5 hr). Avoid if patient has a history of overdose or sleep-walking behaviors on z-hypnotics.
EMR Text
Insomnia
Zaleplon use based on FDA approval in insomnia.
Hypnotic side effects, including REM-behaviors, dependence, amnesia and motoric/sedative effects reviewed with patient.