What it's used for
Zaleplon capsules are used for the short-term treatment of insomnia by decreasing the time it takes to fall asleep for up to 30 days.
Source: U.S. FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA).
Typical dosing
The recommended dose for most nonelderly adults is 10 mg, individualized to the patient.
Dosing shown here is the general FDA-labeled range. Your prescribing clinician determines the exact dose, form, and schedule for you — this is not a substitute for medical advice.
Boxed warning / key safety info
Complex sleep behaviors such as sleep-walking and sleep-driving can occur after taking zaleplon, potentially resulting in serious injury.
Common side effects
Clinical studies evaluated zaleplon safety across various normal and patient groups.
Covered strengths on the Tab $0 list
Covered at $0 with an active Tab membership when filled at a participating pharmacy nationwide or through mail order. A licensed clinician must prescribe the medication.
Related medications
Other mental health & focus medications covered at $0 with an active Tab membership.
Zaleplon dosage and administration
The dose of zaleplon capsules should be individualized. The recommended dose of zaleplon capsules for most nonelderly adults is 10 mg. For certain low weight individuals, 5 mg may be a sufficient dose. Although the risk of certain adverse events associated with the use of zaleplon capsules appears to be dose dependent, the 20 mg dose has been shown to be adequately tolerated and may be considered for the occasional patient who does not benefit from a trial of a lower dose. Doses above 20 mg have not been adequately evaluated and are not recommended. Zaleplon capsules should be taken immediately before bedtime or after the patient has gone to bed and has experienced difficulty falling asleep (see PRECAUTIONS ).
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Your prescribing clinician decides the exact dose, form and schedule for you — this is not medical advice.
Zaleplon side effects
The premarketing development program for zaleplon included zaleplon exposures in patients and/or normal subjects from 2 different groups of studies: approximately 900 normal subjects in clinical pharmacology/pharmacokinetic studies; and approximately 2,900 exposures from patients in placebo-controlled clinical effectiveness studies, corresponding to approximately 450 patient exposure years. The conditions and duration of treatment with zaleplon varied greatly and included (in overlapping categories) open-label and double-blind phases of studies, inpatients and outpatients, and short-term or longer-term exposure. Adverse reactions were assessed by collecting adverse events, results of physical examinations, vital signs, weights, laboratory analyses, and ECGs.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. This is not a complete list. Report side effects to your clinician, and seek care for anything severe or unexpected.
Zaleplon drug interactions
As with all drugs, the potential exists for interaction with other drugs by a variety of mechanisms. CNS-Active Drugs Ethanol: Zaleplon 10 mg potentiated the CNS-impairing effects of ethanol 0.75 g/kg on balance testing and reaction time for 1 hour after ethanol administration and on the digit symbol substitution test (DSST), symbol copying test, and the variability component of the divided attention test for 2.5 hours after ethanol administration. The potentiation resulted from a CNS pharmacodynamic interaction; zaleplon did not affect the pharmacokinetics of ethanol. Imipramine: Coadministration of single doses of zaleplon 20 mg and imipramine 75 mg produced additive effects on decreased alertness and impaired psychomotor performance for 2 to 4 hours after administration.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Tell your clinician and pharmacist about every medication, supplement and over-the-counter product you take.
Who should not take zaleplon
Zaleplon is contraindicated in patients: who have experienced complex sleep behaviors after taking zaleplon (see WARNINGS ) with hypersensitivity to zaleplon or any excipients in the formulation (see PRECAUTIONS )
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Whether this medication is appropriate for you is a clinical decision made by your prescribing clinician.
Common questions
Is zaleplon covered at $0 with Tab?
Yes. Zaleplon is on Tab's covered $0 generic list — every covered strength is $0 with an active membership, at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order.
Do I need insurance to get zaleplon through Tab?
No. Tab is a membership, not insurance. Covered medications are $0 with an active membership whether or not you have a health plan.
What is the usual dose of zaleplon?
The dose of zaleplon capsules should be individualized. The recommended dose of zaleplon capsules for most nonelderly adults is 10 mg. For certain low weight individuals, 5 mg may be a sufficient dose. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15. Your clinician sets your dose.)
What are the side effects of zaleplon?
The premarketing development program for zaleplon included zaleplon exposures in patients and/or normal subjects from 2 different groups of studies: approximately 900 normal subjects in clinical pharmacology/pharmacokinetic studies; and approximately 2,900 exposures from patients in placebo-controlled clinical effectiveness studies, corresponding to approximately 450 patient exposure years. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15.)
What interacts with zaleplon?
As with all drugs, the potential exists for interaction with other drugs by a variety of mechanisms. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15. Tell your clinician about every medication and supplement you take.)
Zaleplon is $0 on the covered list
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