Sonata

(zaleplon)

●●●●●
2.9/ 5 average rating with 175 reviewsforSonata
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Helps you fall sleep.

Skip Upsides & Downsides section. Skip to side effects section.

Our bottom line

Sonata (zaleplon) aids in falling asleep, but it's not as good with helping you stay asleep or with waking up in the middle of the night.

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    $83.31
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    $13.97
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Quick facts about Sonata
  • Drug class: Mental health
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (zaleplon)

Upsides

  • Effectively helps people fall asleep faster.
  • Doesn't last as long in the body like some other sleep medicines, so it may cause less side effects the next morning.
  • Generic is available, so it's affordable.
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What to expect from Sonata, on one page

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People’s experience with Sonata

175reviews so far. What do you think?

Downsides

  • Not typically used for long-term treatment because it can be habit-forming and hasn't been shown to be effective for chronic insomnia.
  • Doesn't last as long in the body as other sleep medicines, so it's not as good at helping you stay asleep.
  • Not recommended if you can't sleep at least 7-8 hours a night.
  • Might not be safe if you have problems with your liver, kidneys, lungs, or if you have a history of depression.
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What to expect from Sonata, on one page

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How it works

Sonata (zaleplon) is in a class of drugs called sedative hypnotics, which are similar to benzodiazepines. It interacts with the GABA receptor in your brain to cause sedative, lowered anxiety, muscle relaxant, and anticonvulsive effects.

Quick facts about Sonata
  • Drug class: Mental health
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (zaleplon)

Used for

Dosage forms

  • Pill
People’s experience with Sonata

175reviews so far. What do you think?

Prices and coupons

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What to expect when you take Sonata (zaleplon) for Insomnia

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  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
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  • Effectiveness
  • Full effects
  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
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  • Possible side effects
  • Headache
  • Abdominal pain
  • Tremor
  • Memory problems
  • Nausea
  • Lack of energy
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Side effect rates for Sonata (zaleplon)

From 641 clinical trials of Sonata when taken for insomnia (20mg)
  • Headache
    42%42%
    35%35%
  • Dizziness
    9%9%
    7%7%
  • Nausea
    8%8%
    7%7%
  • Lack of energy
    7%7%
    5%5%
  • Abdominal pain
    6%6%
    3%3%
  • Sleepiness
    6%6%
    4%4%
  • Memory problems
    4%4%
    1%1%
  • Menstrual cramps
    4%4%
    2%2%
  • Burning/prickling sensation
    3%3%
    1%1%
  • Eye pain
    3%3%
    2%2%
  • Malaise
    2%2%
  • Loss of appetite
    2%2%
  • Feelings of detachment
    2%2%
  • Decreased touch sensations
    2%2%
  • Tremor
    2%2%
    1%1%
  • Abnormal vision
    2%2%
  • Increased sensitivity to sound
    2%2%
  • Smell disorder
    2%2%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Where we got our data »

The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Sonata.

Sonata (zaleplon)
Placebo

People taking Sonata felt side effect more

People taking Sonata felt side effect less

No difference

Risks and Warnings for Sonata (zaleplon)

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    • Higher risk if:
    • › Continuous use of Sonata (zaleplon) for 2 weeks or more

    All medicines in the same category as Sonata (zaleplon) have a risk of physical dependence. Dependence means that you can feel withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the medication suddenly if you've been taking it for a long time. Use of Sonata (zaleplon) for longer than 7 to 10 straight days may be a sign of an underlying mental illness which is contributing to your insomnia. Talk to your doctor about natural ways to improve sleep, sleep hygiene, and possibly other conditions that may be making it difficult to sleep.

Common concerns from people taking Sonata (zaleplon)

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Kidneys and liver
  • Might not be safe if you have problems with your liver, kidneys, lungs, or if you have a history of depression.
Sleep
  • Only take it if you have time to sleep for at least 7 hours.
  • Not recommended if you can't sleep at least 7-8 hours a night.
  • Worth it
    Worked so-so
    Low hassle
    Reviewed unsureon 4/22/2019Great if your waking up in middle of night and can’t get back to sleep. I can take one pill at 2am and be up by 6:00 with no side effects.
    41
    Man
    Just as needed
    Insomnia
  • Not worth it
    Didn’t work
    Some hassle
    Reviewed Sonataon 4/4/2019Not worth the money. Did not fall asleep and when I did I woke hours later.
    66
    Woman
    A month or so
    Insomnia
  • Not sure
    Didn’t work
    Some hassle
    Reviewed Sonataon 8/12/2016It didn't help me fall asleep. I would take it and not fall asleep for two or three hours. But because it is short acting, really try and make the most of the first hour that it is supposed to work. Stay in bed and relax.
    24
    Man
    Insomnia (short-term treatment)