Sonata Side Effects

Generic name: zaleplon

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 20, 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.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (capsule)

Complex sleep behaviors including sleep-walking, sleep driving, and engaging in other activities while not fully awake may occur following use of zaleplon.

Some of these events may result in serious injuries, including death.

Discontinue zaleplon immediately if a patient experiences a complex sleep behavior.

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:

More common side effects

• drowsiness
• headache
• muscle aches
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• stuffy or runny nose

Less common side effects

• back pain
• being forgetful
• belching
• body aches or pain
• congestion
• diarrhea
• difficulty having a bowel movement
• difficulty with moving
• double vision
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• heartburn
• hoarseness
• indigestion
• longer or heavier menstrual periods
• loss of memory
• muscle pain or stiffness
• pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
• seeing double
• sensation of spinning
• stomach discomfort
• tender, swollen glands in the neck
• unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness
• voice changes

Rare side effects

• bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
• blemishes on the skin
• blindness
• blurred vision
• breast pain
• change in near or distance vision
• change in taste
• changes in patterns and rhythms of speech
• decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• difficulty in focusing the eyes
• eye pain
• feeling of warmth
• frequent urge to defecate
• inability to have or keep an erection
• increased appetite
• increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
• increased sweating
• itching of the vagina or genital area
• lack or loss of strength
• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• pain during sexual intercourse
• paleness of the skin
• pimples
• redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
• redness or other discoloration of the skin
• severe sunburn
• slurred speech
• stomach upset
• straining while passing stool
• tearing
• thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor
• weight loss

Serious side effects of Sonata

Along with its needed effects, zaleplon (the active ingredient contained in Sonata) 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:

Less common side effects

• anxiety
• blurred or double vision
• chest pain
• confusion about identity, place, and time
• discouragement
• false or unusual sense of well-being
• fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• feeling sad or empty
• fever
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• hives, skin rash
• irritability
• lack of appetite
• lightheadedness
• loss of interest or pleasure
• not feeling like oneself
• shakiness and unsteady walk
• tightness in the chest
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping
• troubled breathing
• unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
• unusual weakness or tiredness

Rare side effects

• anxiety
• attack, assault, or force
• black, tarry stools
• bladder pain
• bloody or cloudy urine
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• change in walking and balance
• chills
• cold sweats
• cough
• crying
• decreased awareness or responsiveness
• deep or fast breathing with dizziness
• delusions of persecution, mistrust, suspiciousness, or combativeness
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• difficulty swallowing
• dizziness
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from lying or sitting position
• dry mouth
• fainting
• false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts
• feeling of unreality
• fever
• frequent urge to urinate
• irregular heartbeat
• irritability
• itching skin
• lack of feeling or emotion
• light-colored stools
• lower back or side pain
• nausea
• numbness of the feet, hands, and around the mouth
• pale skin
• poor insight and judgment
• problems with memory or speech
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• quick to react or overreact emotionally
• rapidly changing moods
• restlessness
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• sense of detachment from self or body
• severe sleepiness
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• stomach pain
• swollen glands
• thoughts of killing oneself or changes in behavior
• tightness in the chest
• trouble recognizing objects
• trouble thinking and planning
• trouble walking
• troubled breathing with exertion
• uncaring
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• vomiting
• yellow eyes or skin
• unease or dissatisfaction with life

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]

Frequently asked questions

• Is “Ambien-Tweeting” or "Sleep-Tweeting" a Thing?
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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