This medication
is used for the short-term treatment
of sleep problems (insomnia).
Sonata Directions?
Take this product by
mouth, immediately before bedtime or after
you have gone to bed and have difficulty sleeping,
as directed by your doctor. Do not take this
medication with, or immediately after, a high-fat
or heavy meal. This medication helps you fall
asleep. To minimize side effects while you
are awake (e.g., dizziness or memory trouble),
take this medication when you are in bed and
are able to get at least four hours of sleep
before you need to be active again. Do not
use this medication for longer than ten days
without your doctor's approval. If your sleep
problems continue, consult with your doctor.
Use this medication exactly as prescribed.
Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently
or use it for a longer period of time than
prescribed because this drug can be habit-forming.
Also, if used for a longer period of time,
do not stop using this medication without
your doctor's approval.
Sonata Side Effects?
Headache, drowsiness,
nausea or stomach upset may occur. If any
of these effects persist or worsen, notify
your doctor promptly. Tell your doctor immediately
if you have any of these serious side effects:
dizziness, weakness, loss of coordination,
muscle joint pain. Tell your doctor immediately
if you have any of these unlikely but serious
side effects: mental/mood changes, persistent
trouble sleeping, memory problems, loss of
appetite, tingling of the hands or feet, rash,
itching, tremors, eye/ear problems. Tell your
doctor immediately if you have any of these
very unlikely but serious side effects: fast/slow/irregular
pulse, chest pain, trouble breathing, blood
in the stool, unusual thirst, change in amount
of urine. If you notice other effects not
listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Sonata Warnings?
Tell your doctor your
medical history, including: allergies, liver
disease, lung/breathing problems, mental/mood
problems (e.g., depression), alcohol use or
drug dependence. Avoid alcohol, as it may
aggravate certain side effects of this drug
(e.g., dizziness, drowsiness). Use caution
when performing tasks requiring alertness
(e.g., driving). You may have trouble sleeping
the first few nights after you stop using
this medication. This problem usually goes
away after one or two nights. If sleep problems
persist, consult with your doctor. Use with
caution in the elderly, as they may be more
sensitive to the effects of this medication.
This medication should be used only when clearly
needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks
and benefits with your doctor. This medication
passes into breast milk. Because of the potential
risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using
this medication is not recommended. Consult
your doctor before breast- feeding.
Sonata Drug Interactions?
Tell your doctor of
all prescription and nonprescription medication
you may use, especially of: rifamycin antibiotics
(e.g., rifampin, rifabutin), antidepressants
(e.g., imipramine, amitriptyline), ulcer medication
(e.g., cimetidine). Also report any drugs
causing drowsiness such as: other medicines
for sleep, sedatives, tranquilizers, anti-anxiety
drugs, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine),
psychiatric medications (e.g., thioridazine),
anti-seizure medications (e.g., phenytoin,
phenobarbital, carbamazepine), muscle relaxants,
antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.g.,
diphenhydramine). Check all medicine labels
carefully, especially cough-and-cold preparations,
since many contain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine).
Consult your pharmacist regarding safe use
of these products. Do not start or stop any
medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
Sonata Missed Dose?
Not applicable.
Sonata Storage?
Store at room temperature
between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 to 25 degrees
C) away from light and moisture.
Anything Else I Should
Know About Sonata?
If overdose is suspected,
contact your local poison control center or
emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose
may include drowsiness; confusion; sluggishness;
loss of coordination; slow, shallow breathing;
and loss of consciousness.
Do not share this medication with others.
NOTE: The above
information is intended to supplement, not
substitute for, the expertise and judgment
of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare
professional. It should not be construed to
indicate that the use of the product is safe,
appropriate, or effective for you. Consult
your healthcare professional before taking
the product.
