Zaleplon

1 medicine

Zaleplon is a fast-acting, short-term sleeping tablet (a Z-drug) that can cause dependence with regular use and rare complex sleep behaviours, such as sleep-walking or sleep-eating, with no memory of them afterward.

Hyplon

Zaleplon

10mg

Hyplon is a sleeping pills medication containing Zaleplon, available as 10mg tablets.

from $0.36 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Zaleplon (sold as Sonata and in generic form) is a non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic, one of the "Z-drugs," used for short-term treatment of insomnia.
  • It works within about 15 to 30 minutes and clears the body quickly, so you can take it at bedtime, or later in the night, but only if at least 4 hours remain before you need to get up.
  • With regular or long-term use it can cause dependence, and it has been linked to complex sleep behaviours, sleep-walking, sleep-driving, and sleep-eating, that you will not remember.
  • Never combine it with alcohol. Stop and seek urgent care if you or someone else notices you doing things in your sleep that you don't recall.

What zaleplon treats

Zaleplon treats insomnia, specifically difficulty falling asleep. Because it leaves the body so quickly, it is not effective for staying asleep through the night or for early waking. It is prescribed for short courses, usually a week or two, rather than continuous nightly use, and it does not treat anxiety or depression.

How zaleplon works

Zaleplon binds to receptors in the brain that respond to GABA, the nervous system's main calming chemical. By boosting GABA's effect at receptors involved in sleep onset, it quiets brain activity quickly. It is broken down and cleared fast, which is why its effects are shorter than other Z-drugs.

Before you take it

  • Do not take zaleplon unless at least 4 hours remain before you need to be up and alert; next-day impairment is still possible even with its short action.
  • Avoid alcohol and other sedating medicines (opioids, benzodiazepines, some antihistamines and antidepressants); combining them increases the risk of dangerously slowed breathing.
  • Tell your prescriber about liver disease, sleep apnea, or a history of depression or substance use; these can change your dose or rule the drug out.
  • People over 65 are more sensitive to its effects and have a higher risk of falls, confusion, and memory lapses.

Side effects

Common effects include drowsiness, dizziness, headache, and short-term memory problems around the time of dosing.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

  • Sleep-walking, sleep-driving, or preparing and eating food while asleep, with no memory of it afterward.
  • Severe allergic reaction: facial or throat swelling, difficulty breathing.
  • New or worsening depression, agitation, hallucinations, or thoughts of self-harm.
  • Severe drowsiness or confusion that makes normal activities unsafe.

Safety essentials

  • Complex sleep behaviours are a defining risk of zaleplon. If they happen, stop the medicine and tell your prescriber immediately rather than continuing at a lower dose.
  • Use it short-term only. Regular nightly use increases the risk of dependence and tolerance, and stopping abruptly after prolonged use can cause rebound insomnia.
  • Never drink alcohol while taking zaleplon; the combination increases sedation and can suppress breathing.
  • Do not drive or operate machinery unless you have had a full period free of the drug's effects, since judgment and reaction time can be impaired even if you feel awake.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.