Zaleplon Dosages for Adults: Your GoodRx Guide

A good night’s sleep is important for your health and well-being. If you have long-standing sleep struggles, you may have talked with a healthcare professional about medications that can help. While sleep medications are typically meant to be used short term, they can help some people overcome insomnia. One popular treatment for insomnia is the prescription-only medication zaleplon (Sonata). It works by slowing down brain activity, which leads to drowsiness.

Here, we’ll take a look at typical zaleplon dosages for adults, along with dosage adjustments and what to do if you miss a dose. We’ll also talk about why doubling up on zaleplon doses — like taking zaleplon twice in 1 night — is never recommended.

What’s the typical zaleplon dosage for adults?

The typical zaleplon dosage is 10 mg right before bedtime. You can also take the medication after you’ve already laid down for bed as long as you haven’t already taken a dose and you can get 7 hours of sleep.

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While 10 mg nightly is the most common dosage, zaleplon dosages can range from 5 mg to 20 mg a night. A 5 mg nightly dose may be best for older adults, while 20 mg nightly may be best for young adults who don’t see an improvement in their sleep with a 10 mg dose. The maximum zaleplon dosage is 20 mg once nightly at bedtime.

Keep in mind that zaleplon can help you fall asleep, but it doesn’t help you stay asleep longer or prevent you from waking up throughout the night. This is because it only lasts in the body for a short amount of time. So if waking up during the night is your primary sleep problem, zaleplon probably isn’t the best medication for you. It’s also only meant to be taken for 30 days in a row at most.

Are there any dosage adjustments for health conditions?

As mentioned, some people may need a zaleplon dosage that’s lower than 10 mg a night. We’ll discuss specific recommendations below.

Recommended zaleplon dosage for people with liver problems

Zaleplon is metabolized (broken down) in the liver. If you have liver problems, zaleplon can build up in your body and increase your risk of side effects such as next-day drowsiness and dizziness. It can also increase the likelihood of being unable to perform activities that require focus, including driving, the day after you take it.

If you have mild-to-moderate liver problems, your prescriber may recommend a lower zaleplon dosage of 5 mg nightly. If you have severe liver disease, zaleplon isn’t recommended. So make sure your prescriber has your full health history before taking the sleep medication.

Recommended zaleplon dosage for people with a lower body weight

For some people with a lower body weight, a zaleplon dosage of 5 mg nightly may be enough to help with sleep. This is because people with lower body weight can experience higher blood levels of zaleplon.

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Recommended zaleplon dosage for older adults

For people ages 65 and older, the recommended zaleplon dosage is 5 mg nightly. This is because older adults are typically more sensitive to zaleplon side effects and may experience extreme drowsiness or dizziness with higher dosages. And this makes falls and injuries more likely to occur.

Zaleplon dosage adjustments for drug interactions

Zaleplon can interact with other medications and substances that cause drowsiness, such as opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol. It’s typically recommended to avoid zaleplon with these types of medications and substances.

Additionally, some medications may affect how zaleplon is broken down, leading to increased or decreased blood levels of zaleplon. For example, ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and cimetidine (Tagamet HB) can increase zaleplon levels in the body, making side effects more likely. If you take one of these medications, you may need a lower zaleplon dosage.

Other medications, such as rifampin (Rifadin) and carbamazepine (Tegretol), can decrease levels of zaleplon in the body, making it less effective. If you take one of these medications, it’s possible that your prescriber will recommend a higher zaleplon dosage. Or they may recommend taking an alternative sleep medication.

It’s hard to keep track of which medications zaleplon interacts with. So before starting treatment, give your healthcare team a list of the medications you take, including any over-the-counter products. They can help you check for potential drug interactions.

What else should you know about taking zaleplon?

There are a few important considerations to keep in mind if you’re prescribed zaleplon:

• When to take your doses: It’s best to take zaleplon immediately before bedtime. Though, you can take the medication after you get in bed, as long as you can get 7 hours of sleep.

• The effect of eating a high-fat meal too close to taking a dose: Your body may take longer to absorb zaleplon if you take it with, or immediately after eating, a high-fat meal. This means that it may not work as quickly as expected to help you fall asleep. So it’s best to avoid eating high-fat foods too close to taking your doses.

• Whether to avoid driving: Zaleplon can cause next-day drowsiness. This is more likely if you don’t get at least 7 hours of sleep after taking it. It’s also more likely if you take a higher dose (like 20 mg) or combine it with other medications or substances that affect the brain, including alcohol. When first starting zaleplon, it’s best to avoid driving and other activities that require focus until you see how the medication affects you.

• When to seek additional care: If zaleplon isn’t working to treat your insomnia, you may need a higher dose of the medication. Or it may be a sign that your insomnia is related to another health condition. Several mental health conditions, along with physical conditions, can lead to poor sleep. So if your sleep isn’t improving within a week after starting treatment with zaleplon, it’s best to contact your prescriber and see if further evaluation is needed.

What happens if you miss a dose of Zaleplon?

If you forgot your bedtime dose of zaleplon and you’re unable to fall asleep, you can take a dose as long as you have at least 7 hours of sleep remaining. If you have to be up sooner than that, skip your zaleplon dose for the evening.

Don’t take two doses of zaleplon to make up for a missed dose. Taking zaleplon twice in one night, or taking more than you’re prescribed, increases your risk of side effects and can lead to falls and injuries.

What should you do if you take too much zaleplon?

If you take too much zaleplon, you’re more likely to experience side effects. This includes increased drowsiness and dizziness, mental confusion, and abnormal sleep behaviors, such as sleepwalking. More seriously, taking too much zaleplon can cause an overdose, which can lead to slowed breathing, coma, and death.

If you think you have taken too much zaleplon, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or call 911. Receiving care in a hospital may be necessary. Zaleplon can cause serious side effects at high doses, so it’s best to seek care even if your symptoms don’t seem severe.

Good to know: Zaleplon is a controlled substance. This means it carries a higher risk of causing dependence and misuse. If you find yourself taking too much zaleplon, or using it in a way that’s different from how it’s prescribed, let your prescriber know immediately. They can help you access resources to manage dependence and misuse.

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Written by:

Nicole E. Cieri-Hutcherson, PharmD, BCPS, NCMP

Nicole E. Cieri-Hutcherson, PharmD, BCPS, NCMP, has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist, professor, and researcher. She was a full-time clinical professor in the pharmacy practice department at D’Youville School of Pharmacy before subsequently joining the faculty of the pharmacy practice department at the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Edited by:

Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS

Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. Amy currently holds her pharmacist license in Georgia and California.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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