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What is Zopiclone?
Zopiclone is a sedative, also called a hypnotic. It affects chemicals in your brain that may become unbalanced and cause sleep problems (insomnia).
Zopiclone is used to treat insomnia. This medication causes relaxation to help you fall asleep and stay asleep.
Zopiclone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Zopiclone?
Zopiclone may cause a severe allergic reaction. Stop taking Zopiclone and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Zopiclone will make you fall asleep. Never take this medication during your normal waking hours, unless you have at least 8 hours to dedicate to sleeping.
Some people using this medicine have engaged in activity such as driving, eating, or making phone calls and later having no memory of the activity. If this happens to you, stop taking Zopiclone and talk with your general practitioner about another treatment for your sleep disorder.
Zopiclone’s side effects that may impair your thoughts or reactions. You may still feel sleepy the morning after taking the medication. Until you know how this medication will affect you during waking hours, be careful if you drive, operate machinery, pilot an airplane, or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Don’t drink alcohol while you are taking Zopiclone. It can increase some of the side effects of Zopiclone, including drowsiness. Zopiclone may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Zopiclone should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
You may have withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking Zopiclone after taking it over several days in a row. Don’t stop taking Zopiclone suddenly without first talking to your general practitioner. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Zopiclone?
Zopiclone will make you fall asleep. Never take this medication during your normal waking hours, unless you have at least 8 hours to dedicate to sleeping.
Some people using this medicine have engaged in activity such as driving, eating, or making phone calls and later having no memory of the activity. If this happens to you, stop taking Zopiclone and talk with your general practitioner about another treatment for your sleep disorder.
Don’t use this medication if you are allergic to Zopiclone.
Before taking Zopiclone, tell your general practitioner if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
liver disease;
sleep apnea (breathing stops while you are asleep);
lung disease such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
a history of depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts; or
A history of drug or alcohol addiction.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take Zopiclone.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your general practitioner if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Zopiclone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Don’t use this medication without telling your general practitioner if you are breast-feeding a baby.
The sedative effects of Zopiclone may be stronger in older adults. Accidental falls are common in elderly patients who take sedatives. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury while you are taking Zopiclone.
Zopiclone may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Zopiclone should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
How should I take Zopiclone?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Don’t take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your general practitioner. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take Zopiclone only if you are able to get a full night's sleep before you must be active again. Never take this medication during your normal waking hours, unless you have at least 8 hours to dedicate to sleeping.
Take Zopiclone with a full glass of water.
Avoid taking Zopiclone within 1 hour after eating a high-fat or heavy meal. This will make it harder for your body to absorb the medication.
Zopiclone is for short-term use only. Tell your general practitioner if your insomnia symptoms don’t improve, or if they get worse after using this medication for 7 to 10 nights in a row. Don’t take Zopiclone for longer than 2 weeks without your general practitioner's advice.
You may have withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking Zopiclone after taking it over several days in a row. Don’t stop taking Zopiclone suddenly without first talking to your general practitioner. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.
Store Zopiclone at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep track of how many capsules have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Zopiclone is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since Zopiclone is usually taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. Never take this medication if you don’t have at least 8 hours to sleep before being active again. Don’t take extra medicine to make up a missed dosage of Zopiclone.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a Zopiclone overdose are not known.
What should I avoid while taking Zopiclone?
Side effects of Zopiclone that may impair your thoughts or reactions. You may still feel sleepy the morning after taking the medication. Until you know how this medication will affect you during waking hours, be careful if you drive, operate machinery, pilot an airplane, or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Don’t drink alcohol while you are taking Zopiclone. It can increase some of the side effects of Zopiclone, including drowsiness. Don’t take other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxants, and medicine for depression or anxiety).
Avoid taking Zopiclone during travel, such as to sleep on an airplane. You may be awakened before the effects of Zopiclone worn off. Amnesia (forgetfulness) is more common if you don’t get at least 8 hours of sleep after taking Zopiclone.
Zopiclone side effects
Zopiclone may cause a severe allergic reaction. Stop taking Zopiclone and get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Zopiclone and call your general practitioner at once if you have any of these serious side effects of Zopiclone:
aggression, agitation, changes in behavior;
thoughts of hurting yourself; or
Hallucinations (hearing or seeing things).
Less serious side effects of Zopiclone may include:
day-time drowsiness, dizziness, "hangover" feeling;
problems with memory or concentration;
anxiety, depression, nervous feeling;
headache;
nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, constipation;
dry mouth;
unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth; or
Mild skin rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects of Zopiclone and others may occur. Tell your general practitioner about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
Zopiclone Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Insomnia:
Initial dose: 2 mg orally immediately before bedtime
the dose may be initiated at or raised to 3 mg if clinically indicated, since 3 mg is more effective for sleep maintenance.
Usual Geriatric Dose for Insomnia:
For elderly patients whose primary complaint is difficulty falling asleep:
Initial dose: 1 mg orally immediately before bedtime.
The dose may be increased to 2 mg if clinically indicated.
For elderly patients whose primary complaint is difficulty staying asleep:
Initial dose: 2 mg orally immediately before bedtime.
What other drugs will affect Zopiclone?
Before taking Zopiclone, tell your general practitioner if you are taking any of the following drugs:
rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane);
ketoconazole (Nizoral); or
Antidepressants, narcotic pain medications, muscle relaxers, seizure medications, or anti-anxiety medications.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Zopiclone. Tell your general practitioner about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other general practitioners. Don’t start using a new medication without telling your general practitioner.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about Zopiclone.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your general practitioner or pharmacist.
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