Zopiclone

About zopiclone

Zopiclone is a type of sleeping pill that can be taken to treat bad bouts of insomnia. It helps you fall asleep more quickly, and also helps stop you waking up during the night.

Zopiclone comes as tablets. It also comes as a liquid for people who find it hard to swallow tablets, but this has to be ordered specially by your doctor.

This medicine is only available on prescription.

Key facts

Zopiclone takes around 1 hour to work.
Zopiclone is usually prescribed for just 2 to 4 weeks. This is because your body gets used to it quickly, and after this time it's unlikely to have the same effect. Your body can also become dependent on it.
Common side effects are a metallic taste in your mouth, a dry mouth, and daytime sleepiness.
Don't drink alcohol while you're on zopiclone. Having them together can make you go into a deep sleep where you find it difficult to wake up.
Zopiclone is also called by the brand name Zimovane.

Who can and can't take zopiclone

Zopiclone can be taken by adults over the age of 18.

Zopiclone isn't suitable for some people.

To make sure zopiclone is safe for you, tell your doctor if you:

have had an allergic reaction to zopiclone or any other medicines in the past
have liver or kidney problems
have myasthenia gravis, an illness that causes severe muscle wasting
have breathing problems or sleep apnoea (where you stop breathing for short bouts while sleeping)
have had mental health problems
have had issues with alcoholism or drug abuse
are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding

How and when to take it

Zopiclone tablets come in 2 different strengths - 3.5mg and 7.5mg.

The usual dose is to take a 7.5mg tablet just before you go to bed. It takes around 1 hour to work.

A lower dose of 3.5mg may be recommended to begin with if you're over 65 years old or have kidney or liver problems. Taking a lower dose in these cases reduces the risk of excessive sleepiness and other side effects.

Swallow the tablet whole. Don't crush or chew it. You can take zopiclone with or without food.

It's important to take it exactly as your doctor has told you. You could be asked to take a tablet on only 2 or 3 nights each week, rather than every night.

What if I forget to take it?

If you forget to take it by bedtime, just start again the next night.

Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.

What if I take too much?

If you take too much zopiclone by accident call 111 straight away even if you don't feel any different

If you need to go to hospital, take the zopiclone packet or leaflet inside it plus any remaining medicine with you.

It's a good idea to get a friend or family member to go with you to hospital in case you become sleepy on the way. Don't drive yourself.

Side effects

Not everyone will get side effects with zopiclone.

These common side effects happen in more than 1 in 100 people.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or don’t go away:

a bitter or metallic taste in your mouth or a dry mouth
daytime sleepiness

Serious side effects

Serious side effects are rare, but you should tell your doctor as soon as possible if you:

lose your memory - this is called amnesia
see or hear things that aren't real - these are called hallucinations
fall over, especially if you're elderly
think things that aren't true - these are called delusions
feel low or sad - this could be a sign of depression

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it’s possible to have a serious allergic reaction to zopiclone.

A serious allergic reaction is an emergency. Contact a doctor straight away if you think you or someone around you is having a serious allergic reaction.

The warning signs of a serious allergic reaction are:

getting a skin rash that may include itchy, red, swollen, blistered or peeling skin
wheezing
tightness in the chest or throat
having trouble breathing or talking
swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat

These are not all the side effects of zopiclone. For a full list see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.

You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme.

How to cope with side effects

What to do about:

a bitter or metallic taste in your mouth or a dry mouth - try sipping water
feeling sleepy or tired - don't drive or use tools or machinery if you're feeling this way. Don't drink any alcohol as this will make you feel more tired.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Don't take zopiclone if you're pregnant, as it may harm the developing baby. It can also cause side effects in newborn babies.

There's some evidence that taking zopiclone can increase your risk of having a baby born early (before 37 weeks) and the baby having a lower birth weight. Taking zopiclone right up to labour may increase the chance of the baby having withdrawal symptoms at birth.

Zopiclone and breastfeeding

Zopiclone passes into breast milk in small amounts. If you have to take zopiclone, talk to your doctor or midwife about your feeding options.

Tell your doctor if you're trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or if you're breastfeeding.

Cautions with other medicines

Some medicines and zopiclone can interfere with each other and increase the chances of you having side effects.

The following medicines may increase the sedating effects of zopiclone:

medicines to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder
medicines to treat depression
medicines for epilepsy
medicines used in surgery (anaesthetics)
medicines to calm or reduce anxiety, or for sleep problems
medicines for hay fever, rashes, or other allergies that can make you sleepy (sedative antihistamines, such as chlorphenamine or promethazine)
strong painkillers (such as codeine, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, pethidine, or tramadol)
erythromycin or clarithromycin (antibiotics used to treat infections)
some medicines used to treat fungal infections (such as ketoconazole and itraconazole)
Ritonavir (a medicine used to treat HIV infections)

Mixing zopiclone with herbal remedies and supplements

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.

Common questions

How does zopiclone work?

Zopiclone boosts the effectiveness of a chemical in the brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA blocks transmission across nerves in the brain and has a calming effect.

By boosting the effectiveness of GABA, zopiclone improves sleep.

How long will it take to work?

Zopiclone takes around 1 hour to work.

Will I sleepwalk with zopiclone?

Some people have reported doing things like sleepwalking, making food, and making phone calls while they're asleep after taking zopiclone. They don't remember when they wake up.

This is more likely to happen if you take zopiclone with alcohol or other medicines for mental health problems like depression or anxiety.

If this happens to you, go back to your doctor to try another type of sleeping pill.

How long will I take it for?

You'll usually be prescribed zopiclone for just 2 to 4 weeks. This is because your body gets used to this medicine quickly, and after this time it's unlikely to have the same effect. Your body can also become dependent on it.

If you still have sleeping problems after finishing your course of zopiclone, try the lifestyle changes recommended below. See your doctor again if these don't help.

Will I get withdrawal symptoms when I stop taking it?

Don't suddenly stop taking this medicine without telling your doctor as you may get withdrawal symptoms.

This is when, for a few days or weeks, your insomnia returns more intensely than before. You may also feel anxious, restless, have mood changes, and become very sensitive to light, noise, and being touched.

Your doctor may suggest that you reduce your dose of zopiclone slowly over a few days or weeks to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Can I drive or ride a bike?

You might feel sleepy or confused in the first few days after taking zopiclone.

Don't drive a car, ride a bike, or use tools or machines until you see how this medicine affects you.

Will it affect my fertility?

There's no evidence that zopiclone affects the fertility of men or women.

If you're a woman and you're trying to get pregnant, however, it's best not to take zopiclone.

Will it affect my contraception?

Zopiclone doesn't affect how contraception works, including the contraceptive pill and the morning after pill.

Is there any food or drink I need to avoid?

Don't drink caffeine-containing drinks like coffee, cola, or energy drinks while you're on zopiclone. Caffeine has the opposite effect of zopiclone in your body and stops it working.

Can I get addicted to zopiclone?

If you just take it for a few weeks, you're unlikely to become addicted to zopiclone. You may become dependent on it if you take it for longer than 4 weeks.

Can I drink alcohol with it?

No. Don't drink alcohol while you're on zopiclone. Alcohol and zopiclone together can make you sleep very deeply, so you don't breathe properly and can have difficulty waking up.

How long will it stay in my system?

Zopiclone doesn't stay in your system for more than about 12 hours. However, some people feel sleepy the next morning when they wake up.

If this happens to you, don't do any activities that require you to be fully alert, such as driving, cycling, or using tools or machinery.

Will recreational drugs affect it?

Using cannabis with zopiclone will make its sleep-inducing effects worse. You could go into a very deep sleep, where you have difficulty waking up.

Using heroin or methadone with zopiclone may also increase the sedative effects of both of them. Again, you could go into a very deep sleep and have difficulty waking up.

Talk to your doctor if you think you might use recreational drugs while you're taking zopiclone.

Can lifestyle changes help insomnia?

There are a number of things you can do to help yourself get a good night's sleep:

set regular times for going to bed and waking up
relax before bedtime – try taking a warm bath or listening to calming music
use thick curtains or blinds, an eye mask, and earplugs to stop you being woken up by light and noise
avoid caffeine, cigarettes (or e-cigarettes), alcohol, heavy meals, and exercise for a few hours before going to bed
don't watch TV or use phones, tablets, or computers just before going to bed
don't nap during the day
write a list of your worries, and any ideas about how to solve them, before you go to bed to help you forget about them until the morning

Some people find sleeping tablets you can buy in a pharmacy helpful, but they don't stop insomnia and can have unwanted side effects.

Related conditions

Insomnia