What is the dose for ozpiclone (Zaleplon)?

From the Guidelines

Zaleplon is typically prescribed at a dose of 10 mg taken immediately before bedtime for the short-term treatment of insomnia, as recommended by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine 1. The dose of zaleplon can be adjusted based on individual patient needs, with a lower starting dose of 5 mg recommended for elderly patients or those with mild to moderate hepatic impairment.

• The maximum recommended dose is 20 mg, but this exceeds the FDA-recommended dose, and its use should be carefully considered based on the patient's response and potential for adverse effects 1.
• Zaleplon is a non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic medication that works by enhancing the effect of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA at the GABA-A receptor, which helps induce sleep.
• It has a short half-life of about 1 hour, making it particularly useful for sleep initiation problems with minimal morning hangover effects.
• Patients should take zaleplon only when they have at least 4 hours available for sleep, and should avoid taking it with or immediately after a high-fat meal as this can reduce its effectiveness.
• This medication is intended for short-term use (7-10 days) as tolerance and dependence can develop with prolonged use.
• The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends using zaleplon as a treatment for sleep onset insomnia in adults, based on trials of 10 mg doses of zaleplon 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION SECTION 2. 1 Dosage in Adults The dose of eszopiclone tablets should be individualized. The recommended starting dose for eszopiclone tablets for most non-elderly adults is 2 mg immediately before bedtime. The FDA drug label does not answer the question.

From the Research

Dose for Ozpiclone (Zaleplon)

The question about the dose for ozpiclone, which seems to be a misspelling or variation of "zopiclone," can be addressed by looking at the provided studies.

• The optimal dose of zopiclone for elderly patients is established as 7.5mg, as shown in studies 2, 3.
• This dose has been compared to other hypnotics like triazolam, flurazepam, nitrazepam, and temazepam, with zopiclone demonstrating efficacy and a favorable tolerability profile 2, 4, 5.
• The dose of 7.5 mg/day has been found to be effective for short-term use in the treatment of insomnia, with minimal impairment of psychomotor skills and mental acuity the morning after bedtime administration 4, 5.
• It's worth noting that zopiclone should not be prescribed for more than 4 weeks, as indicated in 5.

Pharmacokinetics and Considerations

• Zopiclone is rapidly absorbed with a bioavailability of approximately 80% and is partly metabolized in the liver 6.
• Its pharmacokinetics are altered by aging and are influenced by renal and hepatic functions, which may require dose adjustments in certain populations 6.
• Drug interactions have been observed with certain medications, which should be considered when prescribing zopiclone 6.