Zopiclone can be taken in one single dose just prior to bedtime. Adults typically start off on one tablet; however, depending on your age and health needs you may be prescribed lower dosage levels.
Zopiclone belongs to the Z drug class and, like other sleeping pills, can be used as an effective treatment for insomnia (difficulty sleeping). Furthermore, this sedative drug can become habit-forming or cause dependency issues over time.
Dosage
Zopiclone is a short-acting hypnotic that can be used to help combat insomnia. One of the three “Z drugs,” (zolpidem, zaleplon and zopiclone) developed during the 1980s as safer alternatives to addictive benzodiazepines such as benzodiazepine. For optimal results it should be taken exactly as prescribed by your GP, typically one tablet just prior to bedtime each night; alcohol and other sedatives should also be avoided while taking this medicine as these may increase risks such as breathing issues or even coma.
Zopiclone should be taken at bedtime at an adult dose of 3.75 mg. Your GP may prescribe a lower dosage if you’re elderly or suffering from kidney or liver disease, however. Furthermore, this drug should not be used by people suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, severe hepatic impairment and psychotic illness – plus pregnant or breastfeeding women must refrain from using it.
Zopiclone may cause side effects that include drowsiness and dizziness, which may limit your ability to perform tasks like driving or operating machinery. If this is occurring for you, be sure to inform both your GP or pharmacist immediately and avoid taking herbal remedies that make you sleepy as these could interfere with its effectiveness and cause serious harm.
At all times, it is essential that you inform your GP if you are taking other medicines such as herbal remedies and vitamins. Zopiclone may interact with antidepressants and pain relievers, increasing your risk of depression, seizures and other health complications. When taken with opioids such as methadone or heroin it may even cause breathing difficulties that lead to coma-like states.
Zopiclone should not be taken long-term as it can lead to addiction and withdrawal symptoms; however, it’s sometimes used off-label for longer. If you’ve been taking Zopiclone long-term for insomnia treatment purposes, speak to your GP or pharmacist about gradually discontinuing taking this medication; doing so abruptly could result in rebound insomnia symptoms requiring another solution from them or your GP may suggest other solutions instead.
Side effects
Zopiclone is widely considered to be one of the safest sedative-hypnotics available, yet some individuals may still become vulnerable to developing an addiction over time if they use the drug for extended periods or in high doses. Warning signs include cravings for the medication and an inability to sleep without it; additionally, long-term exposure could change brain chemistry in ways that make natural sleeping harder over time.
Some of the side effects associated with taking Zopiclone include metallic taste in your mouth, dry mouth and daytime sleepiness. Furthermore, it should be noted that Zopiclone may interact with certain medications; therefore it would be wiser not to combine it with any sleep aids or alcohol products.
Zopiclone can lead to loss of coordination and inability to think clearly, potentially leading to accidents and leading to injuries in drivers or operators of machinery taking it. Therefore, its best not to drive or operate machinery if taking this medication. Furthermore, pregnancy should not occur near time of delivery as well as at delivery itself due to its potential effects passing into breast milk and potentially harming nursing babies.
Zopiclone can be an extremely effective treatment for insomnia; indeed it has proven more so than many other therapies. However, as it can become habit-forming it should only be taken temporarily.
This medication works by altering how your brain responds to GABA, an essential neurotransmitter for sleep. While its impact may be minimal at first, tolerance must eventually build over time – hence why most prescriptions only last four weeks at a time.
The most severe side effects of zopiclone include confusion, difficulty breathing, and hallucinations. While these side effects are uncommon, it is still important to notify your physician right away if any develop – your physician can then prescribe other medicines like trazodone or amitriptyline to address them more efficiently.
Overdose
Zopiclone is a short-acting hypnotic medication used to help people fall asleep quickly and remain asleep throughout the night. As part of its class of medicines known as sedative-hypnotics, it can help treat insomnia – one of the leading causes of sleeping disorders – but you may also be prescribed it if other approaches such as lifestyle modifications or cognitive behavior therapy (CBTi) have not proven successful in helping your restfulness.
Overdosing on this medicine may be less likely if taken as directed by your physician; however, the risk is still present if more than one dose is taken at once or more than what your physician advises. An overdose may leave you drowsy or dizzy, lose balance or coordination and have trouble thinking clearly – leading to accidents like falls that lead to broken bones or even comas.
If you think that you may have taken too much zopiclone, seek medical assistance immediately. Contact your GP, pharmacist or local accident and emergency department right away and provide an accurate account of what has occurred. Do not attempt to drive yourself, even if you feel well enough – ask someone else or call an ambulance instead; take along any remaining medicine as well as the package or leaflet from which it came along with any remaining medicine from it.
Dependence on zopiclone can develop quickly if taken for more than four weeks at once or when taking higher dosages than prescribed by your physician. Your risk increases further if you have had past issues with alcohol or other substances as well as being elderly.
This medication increases your risk of suicidal thoughts or suicide, particularly at higher dosages or if taken when suffering from mental health conditions like depression. Alcohol consumption during treatment with this medicine or taking other mood-altering drugs like antidepressants or painkillers such as codeine, methadone, morphine, oxycodone or tramadol may further heighten this risk.
If you’re worried that Zopiclone dependence might be becoming an issue for you, speaking to your GP can help ease any withdrawal effects gradually while offering alternative ways to improve sleep and suggest effective techniques proven to increase restful slumber without adverse side effects.
Also Read: How Long Does Zopiclone Stay in Your System?
Precautions
Zopiclone can lead to sleepwalking and other involuntary actions while you’re not fully conscious. You could perform actions you normally wouldn’t, such as driving, eating, making phone calls or having sexual relations that you won’t even remember doing the next day! Take this medication prior to driving because doing so increases the risk of an accident; therefore if taking Zopiclone prior to driving could have devastating repercussions. For best results if driving alone when taking Zopiclone overnight or the morning after taking this drug it would be wiser for someone else or getting taxi service instead of trying this while impaired.
Zopiclone may increase your risk of an allergic reaction. If this occurs, seek medical help immediately – signs may include rashes, difficulty swallowing, breathing issues or swelling around lips, face, mouth or throat. Zopiclone should never be taken with opioid medicines since doing so increases risks such as drowsiness, slow breathing, coma or death.
As is true with other hypnotics, it is vital that this medication be taken exactly as directed. Do not exceed 4 weeks and withdraw slowly over time with assistance from your GP or pharmacist.
Zopiclone should only be taken short-term for insomnia treatment as long-term use could lead to dependence or addiction, and may increase drowsiness and confusion among elderly users due to its longer elimination half-life; additionally, elderly individuals may experience more of a next-day hangover effect than younger people.
Drink plenty of water and use mouthwash to combat dry mouth caused by this medication, as this may be one of its side effects. Do not suddenly discontinue taking Zopiclone; doing so could result in withdrawal symptoms; pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take Zopiclone because it might harm their baby; alcohol shouldn’t be consumed while on this medicine either.
Also Read: Zopiclone and Alcohol: Why You Should Never Mix Them
