Sonata Withdrawal

If you suddenly stop using Sonata, withdrawal symptoms can occur for the first couple of nights. These symptoms, such as rebound insomnia, abnormal dreams, or unpleasant feelings, are usually minor and tend to improve with time, without the need for treatment. If your Sonata withdrawal symptoms are severe or do not improve with time, your healthcare provider may need to put you back on Sonata temporarily, then wean you off the medication slowly.

 

Sonata Withdrawal: An Introduction

Sonata® (zaleplon) is known to cause withdrawal symptoms in people who quickly stop their medicine after taking it daily for a long period of time. It is also possible, however, for withdrawal symptoms to occur when Sonata has only been taken daily for one to two weeks. Unfortunately, there is no way for your healthcare provider to know beforehand if you will have Sonata withdrawal symptoms.
 

Sonata Withdrawal Symptoms

Sonata withdrawal symptoms can vary. Some possible symptoms include, but are not limited to:
 
  • Abnormal dreams
  • Unpleasant feelings
  • Sweating
  • Nausea
  • Fatigue
  • Irritability
  • Stomach cramps
  • Panic attack
  • Vomiting
  • Tremors
  • Seizures.
     
As with other medicines in this class of drugs, these symptoms tend to be worse during the first couple of nights, then improve.
 
Another possible problem after stopping Sonata may be more trouble sleeping for the first one or two nights. This is known as rebound insomnia.
 

Treating Sonata Withdrawal Symptoms

In most cases, if Sonata withdrawal symptoms do occur, they are usually minor and improve with time, without the need for any treatment. For more severe cases, a healthcare provider may decide to put you back on Sonata temporarily then slowly wean you off the medication.
 
(Sonata Withdrawal Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;