Efficacy and safety of zaleplon at peak plasma levels

Zaleplon is a non-benzodiazepine sleep medication that shows efficacy as a sleep inducer comparable to that of other hypnotics but with significantly fewer residual effects. In addition, evaluations of psychomotor or memory function at zaleplon peak plasma levels show much less impairment than noted with other hypnotics, suggesting an improved benefit-to-risk profile for zaleplon compared with older available agents. Thus, zaleplon can be used to treat symptoms of insomnia when they occur without the concern of next-day psychomotor or memory impairment, whether administered at bedtime or later during the night. Such an approach permits physicians to reformulate their strategies for safe and effective management of sleeplessness.