zaleplon (King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.)

Zaleplon is a nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic of the pyrazolopyrimidine class, primarily indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia, particularly sleep-onset insomnia. It functions as a selective positive allosteric modulator of the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA-A) receptor, specifically targeting the alpha-1 subunit (benzodiazepine type 1 site). This selectivity results in sedative effects with reduced muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant activity compared to non-selective benzodiazepines. Zaleplon is distinguished by its rapid absorption and exceptionally short elimination half-life of approximately one hour. This pharmacokinetic profile allows for "middle-of-the-night" dosing, enabling patients who wake up and have difficulty returning to sleep to take the medication and wake up without significant residual next-morning sedation, provided they have at least 4 hours of remaining sleep time. In clinical research, such as studies conducted by St. Luke's Hospital, it has been evaluated for its impact on sleep-dependent memory consolidation compared to longer-acting hypnotics.

Brand names

SonataStarnocAndante

Other names

middle of the nightAccordion Pill ZaleplonAP-ZP