Drug interactions
Levetiracetam + Zaleplon
Severity: Moderate
Levetiracetam 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 can cause drowsiness, dizziness and impaired coordination, and taking them together may amplify sedation and psychomotor impairment. Next-day impairment and falls are the main practical concerns, especially in older patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Levetiracetam 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.
Levetiracetam belongs to Central Nervous System; Zaleplon belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive central nervous system depressant effects (pharmacodynamic).
What to do
Use the lowest effective zaleplon dose and monitor for excess sedation and impaired psychomotor performance. Counsel patients to avoid driving or operating machinery until the combined effect is known.
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 Levetiracetam
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Levetiracetam with Zaleplon?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Levetiracetam 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 can cause drowsiness, dizziness and impaired coordination, and taking them together may amplify sedation and psychomotor impairment. Next-day impairment and falls are the main practical concerns, especially in older patients.
How serious is the interaction between Levetiracetam 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 zaleplon dose and monitor for excess sedation and impaired psychomotor performance. Counsel patients to avoid driving or operating machinery until the combined effect is known.
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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