Sonata (zaleplon) has been approved for the short-term (generally 7-10 days) treatment of insomnia in adults, including elderly patients. Sonata is not a sleep maintenance drug. Rather it remains at its binding site for only a short time, and is rapidly eliminated after sleep is initiated so the patient's natural sleep processes can take over. The recommended dose for most non-elderly adults is one 10-mg capsule; elderly patients are advised to take one 5-mg capsule.

In clinical studies, Sonata has been shown to be effective in helping individuals fall asleep fast (within 30 minutes), allowing the natural sleep process to take over.

In clinical studies, among the most common side effects with Sonata are headache, drowsiness, dizziness, none of which were significantly different from patients receiving placebo.

Sonata is the first in a new chemical class of nonbenzodiazepine compounds, and has a unique mechanism of action and pharmacokinetic profile, which allows for flexible administration.