Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: AMBIEN versus SONATA.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: AMBIEN versus SONATA.
AMBIEN vs SONATA
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Positive allosteric modulator of GABA-A receptors, enhancing the inhibitory effects of GABA. Binds selectively to the alpha-1 subunit, producing sedative, hypnotic, and anxiolytic effects.
Zaleplon is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic that selectively binds to the benzodiazepine type 1 (BZ1) receptor subtype on the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) A receptor complex, potentiating GABA-mediated chloride ion influx and neuronal inhibition.
5-10 mg orally once daily at bedtime, maximum 10 mg/day.
10 mg orally at bedtime; range 5-20 mg; maximum 20 mg per day.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life is approximately 2.6 hours (range 1.4–4.5 hours). In elderly patients, half-life may be prolonged to about 2.9 hours. In patients with hepatic cirrhosis, half-life is significantly increased (up to 9.8 hours).
Terminal elimination half-life is approximately 1 hour (range 0.7–1.7 h) in healthy adults; elderly patients and those with hepatic impairment may have prolonged half-life (up to 2–3 h).
Primarily renal excretion: approximately 56% of the dose is recovered in urine as metabolites (including 5% unchanged drug). Fecal excretion accounts for about 34% of the dose. Small amounts are excreted in bile.
Approximately 83% of administered radioactivity is excreted in urine (with less than 1% as unchanged drug) and 17% in feces.
Category C
Category C
Sedative-Hypnotic
Sedative-Hypnotic