Sonata - How does 5mg.dosage affect an 88 yr. old male with COPD?

6 Sep 2011

It could possibly affect your breathing ability depending on how severe your COPD is. It should be used with caution

This from http://www.drugs.com/pro/sonata.html#i4i_precautions_id_s31

"Although preliminary studies did not reveal respiratory depressant effects at hypnotic doses of Sonata in normal subjects, caution should be observed if Sonata (zaleplon) is prescribed to patients with compromised respiratory function, because sedative/hypnotics have the capacity to depress respiratory drive. Controlled trials of acute administration of Sonata 10 mg in patients with mild to moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or moderate obstructive sleep apnea showed no evidence of alterations in blood gases or apnea/hypopnea index, respectively. However, patients with compromised respiration due to preexisting illness should be monitored carefully."