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Drug interactions

Esketamine + Zaleplon

Severity: Moderate

Esketamine 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

Zaleplon is a sedative-hypnotic and with esketamine may increase sedation, impaired coordination and complex sleep behaviors.

What this interaction means in plain words

Esketamine 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.

Esketamine belongs to Central Nervous System; Zaleplon belongs to Central Nervous System.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive CNS depression from GABA-A positive modulation plus NMDA antagonism.

What to do

Avoid taking zaleplon on the day of esketamine treatment when possible and monitor sedation after dosing.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Esketamine with Zaleplon?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Esketamine 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. Zaleplon is a sedative-hypnotic and with esketamine may increase sedation, impaired coordination and complex sleep behaviors.

How serious is the interaction between Esketamine 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: Avoid taking zaleplon on the day of esketamine treatment when possible and monitor sedation after dosing.

What other medicines interact with Esketamine?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Esketamine with, for example, Alfentanil, Amobarbital, Belladonna and opium. The full list is on the Esketamine 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.

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