Common questions about zopiclone

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.

Zopiclone takes around 1 hour to work.

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

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice about stopping zopiclone. They can help you come off your medicine gradually if you have been taking it for a long time, or if you're worried about becoming dependent on it.

Do not 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 comes back and is worse than before.

You may also feel anxious or restless, have mood changes, and become very sensitive to light, noise and being touched.

Speak to your doctor about coming off zopiclone. They may suggest that you reduce your dose slowly, over a few days or weeks, to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

But if you've been taking zopiclone for less than a month, you're unlikely to have any of these symptoms.

Zopiclone does not stay in your system for more than about 12 hours.

But some people feel sleepy the next morning when they wake up.

If this happens to you, do not do any activities that need you to be fully alert, such as driving, cycling, or using tools or machinery.

Some people have reported doing things like sleepwalking, making food and making phone calls while they're asleep after taking zopiclone. They do not 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 for advice.

Zopiclone does not affect how any type of contraception works, including the combined pill and emergency contraception.

Do not drive a car, ride a bike or operate machinery if zopiclone makes you sleepy during the daytime, gives you blurred vision, or makes you feel dizzy, clumsy or unable to concentrate or make decisions.

This may be more likely when you first start taking zopiclone, but could happen at any time, for example, when starting another medicine.

It's an offence to drive a car if your ability to drive safely is affected. It's your responsibility to decide if it's safe to drive. If you're in any doubt, do not drive.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure whether it's safe for you to drive while taking zopiclone. GOV.UK has more information on the law on drugs and driving.

No. Do not drink alcohol while you're on zopiclone.

Alcohol and zopiclone together can make you sleep very deeply, so you do not breathe properly and can have difficulty waking up.

Do not have drinks that contain caffeine, like coffee, tea, cola or energy drinks, while you're on zopiclone.

Caffeine has the opposite effect of zopiclone in your body and stops it working.

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.

You can find out more about the side effects of some recreational drugs on the Frank website.

There are a number of things you can do to help with insomnia and getting to 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, vaping, alcohol, heavy meals and exercise for a few hours before going to bed
• do not watch TV or use phones, tablets or computers just before going to bed
• do not 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, as an alternative to prescription medicines such as zopiclone. They cannot cure insomnia and they can have unwanted side effects, but they may help you sleep better for 1 to 2 weeks. Do not take them for any longer. Speak to a pharmacist for advice.