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Drug interactions

Gabapentin enacarbil + Zaleplon

Severity: Moderate

Gabapentin enacarbil 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, dizziness and, rarely, respiratory depression. Risk is greatest in older adults and those with lung disease or other sedatives on board.

What this interaction means in plain words

Gabapentin enacarbil 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 enacarbil belongs to Central Nervous System; Zaleplon belongs to Central Nervous System.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive pharmacodynamic CNS and respiratory depression.

What to do

Use the lowest effective doses and monitor for sedation and respiratory depression, particularly at initiation and dose increases.

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 Gabapentin enacarbil with Zaleplon?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Gabapentin enacarbil 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, dizziness and, rarely, respiratory depression. Risk is greatest in older adults and those with lung disease or other sedatives on board.

How serious is the interaction between Gabapentin enacarbil 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, particularly at initiation and dose increases.

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.

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