ZOPICLONE belongs to a class of drugs called 'sedative-hypnotics' primarily used in the short-term treatment of insomnia. Insomnia is a disorder of sleep that causes difficulty in falling asleep or staying asleep. It may be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) in nature due to various complications like stress, anxiety, and breathing problems.
ZOPICLONE works by increasing GABA activity, which is a chemical messenger in the brain acting as a natural nerve-calming agent, thereby inducing sleep. Thus, ZOPICLONE relaxes muscles, reduces anxiety, and helps to fall asleep.
Take ZOPICLONE as prescribed by your doctor. You are suggested to take ZOPICLONE as long as your doctor has prescribed it after checking your medical condition. Some people may experience dizziness, diarrhea, drowsiness, headache, nausea, vomiting, nose or throat infections, tiredness, stomach pain, double vision, and back pain. Most of these side effects of ZOPICLONE do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are known to be allergic to ZOPICLONE or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you notice that the tablets' effect is not as well as at the beginning of the treatment, please consult a doctor as you might have developed tolerance to ZOPICLONE and dose adjustment may be required. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to consult a doctor before using ZOPICLONE. If you have kidney, liver, or breathing problems, severe muscle weakness, sleep apnoea (a serious condition where breathing stops and repeatedly starts in sleep), and if you have a history of depression or mental illness, please inform your doctor before taking ZOPICLONE.
Insomnia (sleeplessness)
ZOPICLONE is indicated for the treatment of insomnia. It is a ZOPICLONE used in treating short term trouble in falling asleep, waking up at night, or morning, or difficulty sleeping caused by accident or any mental illness that causes tension. This medicine is a benzodiazepine hypnotic that works on the brain and increases GABA activity ( a natural body chemical that works as a messenger between nerve cells). In this way, it relaxes the body to produce good sleep. ZOPICLONE reduces the time taken to fall asleep and increases the length of deep sleep. This relaxing good night's sleep helps the body strengthen your immune system, restore energy, make new healthy cells, and promote the body's repair.
Stop taking ZOPICLONE and contact your doctor right away if you notice a sudden change in sleep behaviour or not being fully awake after waking up or if you are failing trouble in doing activities you generally do. The effects of ZOPICLONE may even remain to the next day after you wake up, so it's better to take about 7 to 8 hours of sleep after taking ZOPICLONE. It would be best to wait for a minimum of 8 hours after taking medicine before driving or operating any machinery. Elderly people are more sensitive to undesirable effects of ZOPICLONE, especially dizziness or confusion. Do not stop taking ZOPICLONE without informing your doctor. It may cause drug withdrawal symptoms like vomiting or nausea. If a person takes ZOPICLONE for a few weeks, there are fewer chances of getting addicted to drugs. However, you may be dependent on the drug if you take it for more than 4 weeks.
Drug-Drug Interactions: ZOPICLONE may have interaction with high blood pressure-lowering medicines (metoprolol), opioid pain killers (hydrocodone, oxycodone, naloxone, tramadol), antidepressants (sertraline, desipramine, fluoxetine, venlafaxine, bupropion, fluvoxamine, escitalopram, amitriptyline, citalopram, duloxetine, mirtazapine), antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, rifampicin), antifungal drugs (ketoconazole), anti-anxiety drugs (alprazolam, clonazepam, lorazepam), antiallergics/antihistamines (diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine), muscle relaxants (cyclobenzaprine), and antiepileptic drugs (gabapentin, pregabalin). This is not a complete list of drug interactions.
Drug-Food Interactions: ZOPICLONE may interact with caffeine, St John’s wort (herbal medicine for treating depression). Also, avoid alcohol intake as it may increase the risk of dependence, psychomotor impairment (slowdown of thought process, and reduced physical movements), sleepwalking, or sleep-driving.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Do not take ZOPICLONE if you have severe liver disease, breathing problems, sleep apnoea (sudden stopping of breathing during sleep), extreme muscle weakness, kidney problems, and any history of depression mental illness.
Avoid alcohol consumption with ZOPICLONE as it may increase the risk of dependence, psychomotor impairment (slowdown of thought process, and reduced physical movements), sleepwalking, or sleep-driving.
ZOPICLONE is a Category C pregnancy drug and is not recommended for use during pregnancy as it may cause adverse effects in the baby after birth.
Avoid breastfeeding while taking ZOPICLONE as it may be excreted in breast milk.
You may experience dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, decreased alertness, blurred, or double vision, especially the day after taking ZOPICLONE. Therefore, avoid driving if you feel drowsy or dizzy after taking ZOPICLONE.
Take ZOPICLONE with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required. ZOPICLONE is not recommended for severe liver disease patients.
Take ZOPICLONE with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
ZOPICLONE is not recommended for children below 18 years of age.
Insomnia: It is a disorder of sleep associated with problems in falling asleep or staying asleep. It may be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) in nature. Acute insomnia may last from one night to a few weeks and occurs due to stress or life changes. Chronic insomnia may last from more than 3 nights per week to more than 3 months. Insomnia is mostly caused due to depression, stress, anxiety, jet lag, shift work, uncomfortable beds, chronic illness, caffeine, nicotine or alcohol intake, or due to certain medicines. It may be treated using sleeping pills, behaviour therapy, sleep habits changes, and identifying and treating chronic conditions.