Zaleplon Withdrawal and Tapering Help

ZALEPLON WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE:

abdominal pains, aching, agoraphobia, anxiety, blurred vision, body vibrations, changes in perception, diarrhea, distended abdomen, feeling of unreality, flu-like symptoms, flatulence, food cravings, hair loss, heart palpitations, heavy limbs, increased allergies, increased sense of smell, insomnia, lethargy, loss of balance, metallic taste, muscle spasms, nightmares, panic attacks, paranoia, persistent & unpleasant memories, severe headaches, shaking, short term memory loss, sore mouth and tongue, sound & light sensitivity, speech difficulties, sweating, suicidal thoughts, tinnitus, unusually sensitive, fear.

ZALEPLON SIDE EFFECTS MAY INCLUDE:

drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, difficulty with coordination, memory loss or amnesia, tolerance, dependence, changes in behavior and thinking; such as more outgoing or aggressive behavior than normal, confusion, strange behavior, agitation, hallucinations, worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts

ZALEPLON ADVERSE REACTIONS MAY INCLUDE: per PDR

Severe: visual impairment, bronchospasm, GI obstruction, peptic ulcer, hearing loss, retinal detachment, ocular hemorrhage, corneal erosion, pleural effusion, apnea, cyanosis, ventricular tachycardia, bradycardia, pulmonary embolism, pericardial effusion, anaphylactoid reactions, angioedema, seizures

Moderate: amnesia, hyperesthesia, hyperacusis, gastritis, melena, glossitis, stomatitis, oral ulceration, esophagitis, colitis, edema, euphoria, hypotonia, nystagmus, hallucinations, ataxia, hypertonia, confusion, neuropathic pain, photophobia, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyspenea, myashenia, hematura, nephrolithiasis, impotence, urinary incontinence, vaginitis, cystitis, dysuria, hypercholesterolemia, gout, peripheral edema, bundle-branch block, angina, peripheral vasodilation, hypotension, palpitations, hypertension, sinus tachycardia, lymphadenopathy, anemia, cholelithiasis, teeth grinding (bruxism), dysphagia, elevated hepatic enzymes, dysarthria, myoclonia, dystonic reaction, trismus, hyperreflexia, hostility, blepharitis, cataracts, psoriasis, osteoporosis, vaginal bleeding, urinary retention, proteinuria, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia, hyperbilirubinemia, orthostatic hypotension, diabetes mellitus, goiter, hypothyroidism, eosinophilia, lymphocytosis, constipation, depression, conjunctivitis, chest pain (unspecified), impaired cognition, memory impairment,
complex sleep-related behaviors, respiratory depression, physiological dependence

Mild: headache, dizziness, nausea, asthenia, abdominal pain, drowsiness, ocular pain, dysmenorrhea, paresthesias, anorexia, malaise, tremor, parosmia, gingivitis, tongue discoloration, flatulence, eructation, appetite stimulation, vertigo, libido decrease, emotional lability, agitation, hyperkinesis, xerophthalmia, tinnitus, diplopia, otalgia, photosensitivity, acne vulgaris, urticaria, maculopapular rash, xerosis, hyperhidrosis, alopecia, epistaxis, laryngitis, arthropathy, menorrhagia, increased urinary frequency, mastalgia, urinary urgency, weight gain, syncope, ecchymosis, cheilitis, hypersalivation, hyporeflexia, ptosis, psychomotor impairment, somnambulism, skin discoloration, hiccups, hyperventilation, menstrual irregularity, leukorrhea, weight loss, lactose intolerance, leukocytosis, purpura, dyspepsia, xerostomia, back pain, fever, anxiety, dysgeusia, rash, pruritus, myalgia, arthralgia, nightmares, abnormal dreams, insomnia

ZALEPLON BOXED WARNINGS:  per PDR

Coadministration with other CNS depressants, complex sleep-related behaviors, driving or operating machinery, drug-induced complex sleep-related behaviors, ethanol ingestion

Sedative-hypnotics can cause complex sleep-related behaviors such as phone calls, sexual activity, preparing and eating food, or sleep-driving while not fully awake and in some cases having no memory of the event. These behaviors appear to be more frequent with nonbenzodiazepine benzodiazepine-receptor agonists (NBRAs), such as zaleplon, than other sedative-hypnotics. Although rare, serious injuries or death have occurred; therefore, zaleplon and other NBRAs are contraindicated in patients with a history of drug-induced complex sleep-related behaviors. Patients should be informed of the risks before receiving any medication from this class, including instructions to discontinue the medication if they experience a sleep-related episode and to contact their healthcare provider immediately. Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of NBRAs to the FDA MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.[64083] Because zaleplon has a rapid onset of action and causes CNS depressant effects, the drug should only be administered immediately prior to going to bed or after the patient has gone to bed and has experienced difficulty falling asleep. Patients should be cautioned against driving or operating machinery or performing other tasks that require mental alertness or motor coordination after taking their dose. The risk of next-day psychomotor impairment, including impaired driving, is increased if zaleplon is taken with less than a full night of sleep remaining (7 to 8 hours); if the dose taken is greater than the recommended dose; or during coadministration with other CNS depressants, alcohol, or drugs that increase zaleplon drug concentrations. Because zaleplon can cause drowsiness and a decreased level of consciousness, there is a higher risk of falls, particularly in the elderly, with the potential for subsequent severe injuries. As with all sedative/hypnotics, patients should be warned that taking zaleplon while still up and about may result in short-term memory impairment, hallucinations, impaired coordination, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Dosage adjustment of zaleplon may be necessary during coadministration with other CNS depressants because of the potential for additive effects. Do not use zaleplon with other sedative-hypnotic agents, and ethanol ingestion should be avoided during use. Zaleplon potentiates alcohol-induced impairment and there is an increased risk of complex sleep-related behaviors during concurrent use of zaleplon and alcohol or other CNS depressants. Amnesia and other neuropsychiatric symptoms may occur unpredictably.[29887]