Introduction
Eplon is a prescription medicine used to treat insomnia. It reduces sleep onset time and frequent awakening at night. This medicine improves sleep maintenance and therefore ensures sound sleep.
Eplon should be taken on an empty stomach, preferably before going to bed. However, it is advised to take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor as it is habit forming. Do not stop taking it suddenly without talking to your doctor as it may worsen your symptoms.
Some common side effects of this medicine include lightheadedness, impaired coordination, and tingling sensation. However, these are temporary and resolve on their own after some time. It also causes dizziness and sleepiness, so do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you and do not take alcohol with it as it may worsen the dizziness. Inform your doctor if you develop any unusual changes in mood or behavior, new or worsening depression, hallucinations or suicidal thoughts while taking this medicine.
Before taking Eplon, inform your doctor about all other medicines that you are taking, so that your doctor can advise if taking this medicine is right for you. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are suffering from any liver or kidney problems. You should avoid smoking and alcohol while using this medicine. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should not use this medicine. However, if the need arises, please consult your doctor before using it.
Side effects of Eplon
Common
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Impaired coordination
- Paresthesia (tingling or pricking sensation)
How to use Eplon
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Do not chew, crush or break it. Eplon is to be taken empty stomach.
How Eplon works
Eplon is a nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic. Along with sedative, it may also have anxiolytic (panic-reducing or antianxiety), muscle relaxant properties. It works by binding GABA-A/chloride ion channel receptor complex (receptor), thus relaxes the nerves and brain. This is how it helps you to fall asleep.
What if you forget to take Eplon?
If you miss a dose of Eplon, skip it and continue with your normal schedule. Do not double the dose.
Administration
May be taken with or without food. Do not take w/ or immediately after a heavy or high fat meal.
Adult Dose
Oral
Insomnia
Adult: 5-10 mg before bedtime. Max: 20 mg daily.
Elderly: >65 yr: 5 mg before bedtime. Max: 10 mg daily.
Hepatic impairment: Mild to moderate: 5 mg at bedtime. Severe: Contra-indicated.
Child Dose
Not recommended
Renal Dose
Renal Impairment
Mild to moderate impairmet: No dose adjustment necessary
Severe impairment: Not studied
Contraindication
Hypersensitivity. Severe hepatic impairment. Lactation.
Mode of Action
Zaleplon, a pyrazolopyrimidine, is a sedative and hypnotic agent structurally unrelated to the benzodiazepines and other sedative-hypnotic agents. It is shown to interact with GABA subtype A complex by binding selectively to benzodiazepine type 1 receptor. It reduces sleep latency without affecting sleep duration.
Precaution
May precipitate new psychiatric abnormalities. Depression; hepatic impairment. History of drug or alcohol dependence or abuse, elderly and debilitated patients. Childn <18 yr. Pregnancy. May impair ability to drive or operate machinery. Do not take zaleplon if there is <4 hr of sleep. Dose reduction or withdrawal of drug should be done gradually.
Side Effect
>10%
Headache (38%)
1-10%
Dizziness (7-9%),Nausea (6-8%),Abdominal pain (6%),Weakness (5-7%),Dysmenorrhea (3-4%),Eye pain (3-4%),Amnesia (2-4%),Parasthesia (3%),Tremor (2%)
<1%
Fever,Photosensitivity,Anorexia,Colitis,Periphipheral edema,Amnesia,Anxiety,Depersonalization,Hallucination,Hypesthesia,Vertigo,Epistaxis,Abnl vision,Ear pain,Hyperacusis,Parosmia
Interaction
Additive CNS effects may occur with CNS depressants e.g. TCA, alcohol, antihistamines, narcotic analgesics, thioridazine and diphenhydramine. Cytochrome P450 CYP3A4 inducers e.g. rifampicin, phenytoin, carbamazepine and phenobarbital decrease zaleplon concentrations. Increased zaleplon concentration with cimetidine and CYP 3A4 inhibitors e.g. erythromycin, ketoconazole.