• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info
• Interactions

Before taking zaleplon, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

• cimetidine (Tagamet);

• thioridazine (Mellaril);

• promethazine (Phenergan, Promacot);

• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);

• rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane);

• antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), itraconazole (Sporanox), or ketoconazole (Nizoral);

• antidepressants such as imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), or sertraline (Zoloft); or

• narcotic pain medications, muscle relaxers, seizure medications, or anti-anxiety medications.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with zaleplon. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Zaleplon may cause a severe allergic reaction. Stop taking zaleplon and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using zaleplon and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• aggression, agitation, changes in behavior;

• thoughts of hurting yourself; or

• hallucinations (hearing or seeing things).

Less serious side effects may include:

• day-time drowsiness, dizziness, "hangover" feeling;

• problems with memory or concentration;

• numbness or tingling;

• anxiety, depression, nervous feeling;

• problems with vision;

• headache;

• nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, constipation;

• dry mouth;

• increased menstrual pain (cramps);

• back pain, joint or muscle pain; or

• mild skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.