Sonata Side Effects

Generic name: zaleplon

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 27, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Sonata Side Effects associated with zaleplon. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Sonata.

Applies to zaleplon: oral capsule.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

If you think you need to take zaleplon (the active ingredient contained in Sonata) for more than 7 to 10 days, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Insomnia that lasts longer than this may be a sign of another medical problem.

Zaleplon may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis and angioedema, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hives, trouble breathing or swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, mouth, or throat while you are using this medicine.

This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicines, prescription pain medicine or narcotics, medicine for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may cause some people, especially older persons, to become drowsy, dizzy, lightheaded, clumsy or unsteady, or less alert than they are normally, which may lead to falls. Even though zaleplon is taken at bedtime, it may cause some people to feel drowsy or less alert on arising. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

If you develop any unusual and strange thoughts or behavior while using zaleplon, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Some changes that have occurred in people using this medicine are like those seen in people who drink alcohol and then act in a manner that is not normal. Other changes may be more unusual and extreme, such as confusion, hallucinations (seeing, hearing, smelling, or feeling things that are not there), and unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability.

This medicine may cause you to do things while you are still asleep that you may not remember the next morning. It is possible you could drive a car, sleepwalk, have sex, make phone calls, or prepare and eat food while you are asleep or not fully awake. Tell your doctor right away if you learn that any of these has happened.

Do not change your dose or stop using it without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping completely. Stopping this medicine suddenly may cause withdrawal side effects.

After taking zaleplon for insomnia, you may have difficulty sleeping (rebound insomnia) for the first few nights after you stop taking it.

If you think you or someone else may have taken an overdose of this medicine, get emergency help at once. Taking an overdose of zaleplon or taking alcohol or other CNS depressants with zaleplon may lead to breathing problems and unconsciousness. Some signs of an overdose include: clumsiness or unsteadiness, confusion, severe drowsiness, low blood pressure, unusual dullness or feeling sluggish, and troubled breathing.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Common side effects of Sonata

Some side effects of zaleplon may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Serious side effects of Sonata

Along with its needed effects, zaleplon may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking zaleplon:

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking zaleplon:

Symptoms of overdose

• confusion
• clumsiness or unsteadiness, severe
• dizziness or fainting
• drowsiness, severe
• weak muscle tone
• troubled breathing
• unusual dullness or feeling sluggish

For healthcare professionals

Applies to zaleplon: oral capsule.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported side effects included headache, dizziness, nausea, asthenia, and somnolence.^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 42%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Amnesia, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, hypertonia, hypesthesia, migraine, paresthesia, parosmia, somnolence, taste perversion, tremor, vertigo
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal gait, ataxia, hyperesthesia, hyperkinesia, hypotonia, incoordination, neuralgia, nystagmus
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Central nervous system (CNS) stimulation, cerebral ischemia, decreased reflexes, dysarthria, dystonia, facial paralysis, hypokinesia, increased reflexes, myoclonus, neuropathy, slurred speech, stupor, taste loss, visual field defect^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal thinking, anxiety, confusion, depersonalization, depression, hallucinations, nervousness
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Agitation, apathy, decreased libido, emotional lability, euphoria, insomnia
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Bruxism, delusions, hostility, psychomotor retardation, sleep talking, sleep walking
• Postmarketing reports: Nightmares^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, colitis, constipation, dry mouth, dyspepsia, nausea
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Circumoral paresthesia, eructation, esophagitis, flatulence, gastritis, gastroenteritis, gingivitis, glossitis, mouth ulceration, rectal hemorrhage, stomatitis
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Aphthous stomatitis, cardiospasm, cheilitis, duodenal ulcer, dysphagia, enteritis, gum hemorrhage, increased salivation, intestinal obstruction, peptic ulcer, tongue discoloration, tongue edema, ulcerative stomatitis^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, ear pain, fever, hyperacusis, malaise
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Chills, face edema, hangover effect, substernal chest pain, tinnitus
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Deafness, labyrinthitis^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia, arthritis, back pain, myalgia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arthrosis, bursitis, joint disorder, joint pain, joint stiffness, joint swelling, neck rigidity, myasthenia, tenosynovitis
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Myositis, osteoporosis, trismus^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Photosensitivity reaction, pruritus, rash
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Acne, alopecia, contact dermatitis, dry skin, ecchymosis, eczema, maculopapular rash, skin hypertrophy, sweating, urticaria, vesiculobullous rash
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Melanosis, psoriasis, purpura, pustular rash, skin discoloration^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal vision, conjunctivitis, eye pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diplopia, dry eyes, photophobia, watery eyes
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Abnormality of accommodation, blepharitis, cataract specified, corneal erosion, eye hemorrhage, glaucoma, ptosis, retinal detachment^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain, peripheral edema
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Angina pectoris, bundle branch block, edema, generalized edema, hypertension, hypotension, palpitation, tachycardia, vasodilation, ventricular extrasystoles
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Bigeminy, cyanosis, pericardial effusion, postural hypotension, sinus bradycardia, thrombophlebitis, ventricular tachycardia^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Bronchitis, epistaxis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Asthma, dyspnea, laryngitis, pneumonia, snoring, voice alteration
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Apnea, hiccup, hyperventilation, increased sputum, pleural effusion, pulmonary embolus^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Dysmenorrhea
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bladder pain, breast pain, cystitis, decreased urine stream, dysuria, hematuria, impotence, menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, urinary frequency, urinary incontinence, urinary urgency, vaginitis
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Albuminuria, delayed menstrual period, leukorrhea, menopause, urethritis, urinary retention, vaginal hemorrhage^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Anorexia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Gout, hypercholesteremia, increased appetite, thirst, weight gain
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia, hypoglycemia, hypoglycemic reaction, ketosis, lactose intolerance, weight loss^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anemia, lymphadenopathy
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Eosinophilia, leukocytosis, lymphocytosis^[Ref]

Renal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Kidney calculus, kidney pain^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Abnormal liver function tests, bilirubinemia, biliary pain, cholelithiasis, increased ALT, increased AST^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Goiter, hypothyroidism^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Postmarketing reports: Anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions, severe anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• Is “Ambien-Tweeting” or "Sleep-Tweeting" a Thing?
• What are the strongest sleeping pills?

Further information

Sonata side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer