Zopiclone

What zopiclone is for

Zopiclone is used as a short-term treatment for sleeping problems (insomnia).

A doctor may prescribe zopiclone if you have problems with falling asleep, waking up during the night or waking up too early, and it's affecting your everyday life.

It's a type of sleeping pill that's sometimes known as a Z-drug. These are a kind of medicine called a hypnotic, which affect a calming chemical in your brain.

How to take zopiclone

Zopiclone comes as tablets you swallow once a day, before you go to bed. It takes around 30 to 60 minutes to start working.

Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water.

Treatment with zopiclone usually lasts from a few days to a few weeks. It's usually not prescribed for more than 4 weeks because your body can become used to it and it stops working as well (known as tolerance).

Always check the packet or leaflet that comes with your medicine. Ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice if you're not sure how to take it or have any problems taking it.

If you miss a dose of zopiclone

If you forget to take zopiclone, skip the missed dose and take your next dose before bed the next day as usual.

Do not take 2 doses to make up for a missed dose, and do not take more than 1 dose in the same night.

If you take too much zopiclone

Taking an extra dose of zopiclone can be dangerous.

How to stop taking zopiclone

Do not stop taking zopiclone suddenly because this can cause withdrawal symptoms such as feeling agitated or anxious.

Your doctor will gradually reduce your dose so that you can stop taking it safely. Always follow your doctor's advice.

It's possible to become addicted to zopiclone. Your doctor will only prescribe it for a short time and will prescribe the lowest dose you need to help your sleeping problems.

Talk to your doctor if you're worried about addiction or stopping taking zopiclone.

Side effects of zopiclone

Like all medicines, zopiclone can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Common side effects

Common side effects of zopiclone include:

• dry mouth
• a bitter or metallic taste in your mouth
• feeling tired, sleepy, dazed or less alert the next day

Do not drive, ride a bike or use machinery for 12 hours after taking zopiclone. If you feel sleepy, dazed or less alert, wait until you no longer have these symptoms.

Serious side effects

Zopiclone can sometimes cause more serious side effects, although most of them are rare.

Possible serious side effects of zopiclone include:

• difficulty breathing
• sleepwalking, or doing things while not fully awake, like eating, talking on the phone or driving
• an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) – causing symptoms such as a swollen throat or tongue, a raised, itchy rash and difficulty breathing
• mental health problems – such as hearing or seeing things that are not there (hallucinations), believing things that are not true (delusions), feeling low or depressed, or having thoughts of suicide or harming yourself

Who can and cannot take zopiclone

Most adults can take zopiclone.

However, it's not suitable for everyone. For example, it may not be suitable if:

• you've had a serious side effect or allergic reaction to zopiclone or a similar medicine before, such as other sleeping pills or sedatives
• you have muscle weakness or a condition that causes it, such as myasthenia gravis
• you have sleep apnoea or breathing problems
• you have liver problems
• you've been addicted to alcohol, drugs or prescription medicine before, especially opioids

Before taking zopiclone, tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions.

Breastfeeding and zopiclone

Tell your doctor if you're breastfeeding.

Zopiclone can be used for a short time while breastfeeding, but check with your doctor because the medicine can pass into your breast milk in small amounts.

It's rare for breastfed babies to get any side effects of medicines you're using, but speak to a healthcare professional or call NHS 111 if you have any concerns about your baby.

Do not sleep in the same bed (co-sleep) with your baby if you've taken zopiclone or any other medicine that makes you sleepy or drowsy, as it can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Pregnancy and zopiclone

Tell your doctor if you're pregnant or you get pregnant while taking zopiclone.

Zopiclone is not usually used during pregnancy but may sometimes be prescribed for a short time if your sleeping problems are severe and other treatments have not worked.

Find out more about taking zopiclone during pregnancy on the Bumps (Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy) website

Taking zopiclone with other medicines, food and drink

There are some medicines, remedies and supplements that may not mix well with zopiclone.

These include some:

• other medicines for sleep or anxiety problems
• medicines for moderate or severe pain, such as opioid painkillers like codeine, morphine or oxycodone
• antipsychotics
• antidepressants
• medicines for epilepsy
• medicines for hay fever, rashes or other allergies that can make you feel sleepy (drowsy or sedating antihistamines), such as chlorphenamine or promethazine
• antibiotics, such as clarithromycin or erythromycin
• medicines for fungal infections

Before taking zopiclone, tell your doctor if you're taking any other medicines, herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.

Food, drink and alcohol with zopiclone

Do not drink alcohol while taking zopiclone. Alcohol can increase the effects of the medicine, which can cause breathing problems and make it very difficult to wake up.

Apart from alcohol, you can eat and drink as usual while taking zopiclone.