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Why is this drug prescribed?
Sonata is prescribed for people who have trouble falling asleep at bedtime. Because it has a short duration of action, it doesn't help those who suffer from frequent awakenings during the night or tho
se who wake too early in the morning. It is intended only for short-term use (7 to 10 days).
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How should you take this medication?
Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. If too much is taken, it may becom
e habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence).
Take Sonata just before going to bed, when you are ready to go to sleep. This medicine works very quickly to put you to sleep.
Do not take this medicine when your schedule does not permit you to get at least 4 hours of sleep.If you must wake up before this, you may continue to feel drowsy and may experience memory problems
, because the effects of the medicine have not had time to wear off.
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Precautions while Using this Medicine
If you develop any unusual and strange thoughts or behavior while taking Sonata, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Some changes that have occurred in people taking this medicine are like those s
een in people who drink alcohol and then act in a manner that is not normal. Other changes may be more unusual and extreme, such as confusion, hallucinations (seeing, hearing, smelling, or feeling thi
ngs that are not there), and unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability.
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Before Taking This Medicine
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of Sonata. Make sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially
- Alcohol abuse (or history of) or
- Drug
abuse or dependence (or history of)ˇX Dependence on Sonata may develop
- Breathing problems or
- Mental depressionˇXSonata may make the condition worse
- Liver diseaseˇX Higher blood
ls of Sonata may result, increasing the chance of side effects.
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What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking Sonata,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Sonata, aspirin, tartarzine (a yellow dye in some processed foods and drugs)
- tell your doctor if you have
or have ever had kidney or liver disease, a history of alcohol or drug abuse or depression, asthma, breathing problems, or allergies.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregna
nt, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Sonata, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Sona
ta.
- you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how Sonata will affect you.
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What side effects may occur?
The most common side effect is:
- Headache
Other common side effects may include:
- Abdominal pain, dizziness, drowsiness, eye pain, memory loss, menstrual pain, nausea, tingling, w
eakness
Less common side effects may include:
- Anxiety, arthritis, back pain, bronchitis, chest pain, colitis, confusion, constipation, depression, decreased sensation, difficulty conce
ntrating, disturbances in sense of smell, dry mouth, ear pain, eye inflammation, feeling of unreality, fever, generally ill feeling, hallucinations, indigestion, itching, joint pain, loss of appetite,
migraine, muscle pain, nervousness, nosebleeds, rash, sensitivity to light, sensitivity to noise, swelling of the hands or feet, taste changes,
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