Drug interactions
Gabapentin + Zaleplon
Severity: Moderate
Gabapentin 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
Both drugs depress the CNS, and together they can cause marked sedation, impaired psychomotor function and respiratory depression. The risk is greater in older patients, those with lung disease, and with higher doses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Gabapentin 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.
Gabapentin belongs to Central Nervous System; Zaleplon belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression from GABA-A receptor agonism (zaleplon) and gabapentinoid effects on calcium channels.
What to do
Use the lowest effective doses and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression, especially at initiation and in patients with respiratory compromise. Counsel on avoiding alcohol and other sedatives.
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?
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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 Gabapentin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Gabapentin with Zaleplon?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Gabapentin 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. Both drugs depress the CNS, and together they can cause marked sedation, impaired psychomotor function and respiratory depression. The risk is greater in older patients, those with lung disease, and with higher doses.
How serious is the interaction between Gabapentin 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: Use the lowest effective doses and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression, especially at initiation and in patients with respiratory compromise. Counsel on avoiding alcohol and other sedatives.
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.
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