[Pharma-clinics. Drug of the month. Zaleplon (Sonata)]

Author(s): Ansseau M

Affiliation(s): Service de Psychiatrie et Psychologie medicale, Universite de Liege.

Publication date & source: 1999-08, Rev Med Liege., 54(8):705-6.

Publication type:

Zaleplon (Sonata) is an original hypnotic derived from the pyrazolopyrimidine with a full agonistic activity on central benzodiazepine receptors B21 type. Zaleplon is characterized by an extremely short half-life (about 1 hour). At the 10 mg dose, it is an affective sleep inducer with limited risks of disturbances in morning performance. It is particularly suitable for the treatment of initial insomnia when the prescription of an hypnotic is justified.