Adult:
10 mg before bedtime. Max: 20 mg daily. Elderly: >65 yr: 5 mg before bedtime. Max: 10 mg daily. Renal impairment: Severe: No studies done. Hepatic impairment: Mild to moderate: 5 mg at bedtime. Severe: Contra-indicated.
Special Populations: Patients on cimetidine should receive initial dose of 5 mg at bedtime. Patients on cimetidine should receive initial dose of 5 mg at bedtime.
Administration
May be taken with or without food. (Do not take w/ or immediately after a heavy or high fat meal.)
Precautions
May precipitate new psychiatric abnormalities. Depression; hepatic impairment. History of drug or alcohol dependence or abuse, elderly and debilitated patients. Childn <18 yr. Pregnancy. May impair ability to drive or operate machinery. Do not take zaleplon if there is <4 hr of sleep. Dose reduction or withdrawal of drug should be done gradually.
Additive CNS effects may occur with CNS depressants e.g. TCA, alcohol, antihistamines, narcotic analgesics, thioridazine and diphenhydramine. Cytochrome P450 CYP3A4 inducers e.g. rifampicin, phenytoin, carbamazepine and phenobarbital decrease zaleplon concentrations. Increased zaleplon concentration with cimetidine and CYP 3A4 inhibitors e.g. erythromycin, ketoconazole.
