Before Using This medicine: Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Sonata will cause drowsiness and may cause dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities. Sonata should be taken just before bedtime but you may experience some carryover effects (drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, memory loss) the next day. Do not take Sonata unless you are able to get 4 or more hours of sleep before you must be active again. Do not drink alcohol while taking Sonata. Alcohol will increase drowsiness and may increase dizziness while you are taking Sonata, which could be dangerous.

Proper Use of This Medicine: Take one capsule at bedtime.

Precautions While Using This Medicine: When prescribing Sonata, your doctor must be aware of your medical history, especially any instances of liver disease, mental/mood problems (such as depression), lung/breathing problems, allergies, alcohol use or drug dependence. You should not drink alcohol while using Sonata, since it can make you more drowsy or dizzy. Be cautious when doing anything that requires attention, such as driving or operating machinery. You may have a harder time sleeping for a couple of nights after you stop using Sonata. Elderly people should only take Sonata with extreme caution, since they are more sensitive to the medication. Pregnant women should discuss the risks and benefits of Sonata before using it. Because Sonata is known to be excreted in breast milk, do not take Sonata if you are breastfeeding.

Side Effects of This Medicine: Those taking Sonata report occasional side effects such as headache, drowsiness, and nausea or upset stomach. If you have any of these and they persist, talk to your doctor. Other more serious side effects include dizziness, loss of coordination, weakness, and muscle joint pain, and should always be reported to your doctor. There are rare side effects that require immediate medical care. These include mental or mood changes, persistent trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, memory problems, tingling of the hands or feet, rash, eye or ear problems, a fast, slow or irregular pulse, chest pain, trouble breathing, itching, tremors, blood in the stool, unusual thirst, or a significant change in amount of urine.