Drug interactions
Difelikefalin + Zaleplon
Severity: Moderate
Difelikefalin and Zaleplon: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Difelikefalin can cause somnolence and dizziness, and zaleplon is a sedative-hypnotic. Combined use may increase drowsiness and the risk of falls or impaired alertness.
What this interaction means in plain words
Difelikefalin and Zaleplon can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Difelikefalin belongs to Dermatology; Zaleplon belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depressant effects; difelikefalin is a peripherally restricted kappa-opioid agonist with some sedative effects, and zaleplon acts on GABA-A receptors.
What to do
Monitor for excessive sedation and dizziness, especially after dose initiation, and counsel the patient on fall precautions. Reduce the zaleplon dose if sedation is troublesome.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Difelikefalin and Zaleplon, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Zaleplon
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Zaleplon Contraindicated
- Sodium oxybate + Zaleplon Contraindicated
- Brexanolone + Zaleplon Major
- Buprenorphine long-acting + Zaleplon Major
- Buprenorphine subdermal implant + Zaleplon Major
- Buprenorphine transdermal + Zaleplon Major
Other interactions of Difelikefalin
- Acetazolamide + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Alprazolam + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Amantadine + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Amitriptyline + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Amobarbital + Difelikefalin Moderate
- Asenapine + Difelikefalin Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Difelikefalin with Zaleplon?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Difelikefalin and Zaleplon can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Difelikefalin can cause somnolence and dizziness, and zaleplon is a sedative-hypnotic. Combined use may increase drowsiness and the risk of falls or impaired alertness.
How serious is the interaction between Difelikefalin and Zaleplon?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for excessive sedation and dizziness, especially after dose initiation, and counsel the patient on fall precautions. Reduce the zaleplon dose if sedation is troublesome.
What other medicines interact with Zaleplon?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Zaleplon with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Sodium oxybate, Brexanolone. The full list is on the Zaleplon page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
