Drug interactions
Nefazodone + Zaleplon
Severity: Moderate
Nefazodone 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
Nefazodone is a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor and may raise zaleplon exposure, though CYP3A4 is only a secondary pathway for zaleplon. Nefazodone is also sedating, so additive drowsiness is possible.
What this interaction means in plain words
Nefazodone 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.
Why it happens
Inhibition of CYP3A4 reduces zaleplon clearance, together with additive sedative pharmacodynamic effects.
What to do
Monitor for excessive sedation and impaired psychomotor function. Use the lowest zaleplon dose and counsel the patient about next-day impairment.
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 Nefazodone 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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Nefazodone with Zaleplon?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Nefazodone 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. Nefazodone is a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor and may raise zaleplon exposure, though CYP3A4 is only a secondary pathway for zaleplon. Nefazodone is also sedating, so additive drowsiness is possible.
How serious is the interaction between Nefazodone 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 impaired psychomotor function. Use the lowest zaleplon dose and counsel the patient about next-day impairment.
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.
