Description

Zopiclone 7.5mg tablets are a type of sleeping pill that can be taken for short-term treatment of severe insomnia.

It helps you fall asleep more quickly, and also helps stop you waking up during the night. It works by affecting a calming chemical in your brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

Zopiclone comes as tablets. It also comes as a liquid for people who find it hard to swallow tablets, but your doctor will have to order this specially.

Key facts

• Zopiclone takes around 1 hour to work.
• It’s 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.
• Do not 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.
• If zopiclone makes you feel sleepy in the daytime, do not drive a car, ride a bike or use machinery.

Side Effects

Like all medicines, zopiclone can cause side effects, but not everyone gets them.
Common side effects

These common side effects of zopiclone happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:

• A bitter or metallic taste in your mouth or a dry mouth
• Feeling sleepy or tired the next day

Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.

Serious side effects

It happens rarely, but some people have serious side effects when taking zopiclone.

Call your doctor or call 111 as soon as possible if you:

• get a poor memory (amnesia)
• see or hear things that are not real (hallucinations)
• fall over, especially if you’re over 65 years of age
• think things that are not true (delusions)
• feel low or sad (have depression)

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it’s possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to zopiclone.
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:

• your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
• you’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
• your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
• your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
• you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
• someone faints and cannot be woken up
• a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)

You or the person who’s unwell may also have a rash that’s swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.

These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.

Do not drive yourself to A&E.

The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.

Other side effects

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

Reporting side effects

You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.

Visit the Yellow Card website for more information about reporting side effects.

Information Leaflet

Zopiclone 7.5mg – Patient Information Leaflet

Dosage Recommendation

The usual dose is:

• anxiety – 2mg, taken 3 times a day, this can be increased to 5mg to 10mg, taken 3 times a day
• sleep problems (related to anxiety) – 5mg to 15mg, taken once a day at bedtime
• muscle spasms in adults – 2mg to 15 mg a day. This can be taken as 1mg twice a day and can go up to 5mg taken 3 times a day. The dose can be increased to up to 20mg, taken 3 times a day if needed
• muscle spasms in children (aged 1 month to 17 years) – the dose varies depending on age. It’s usually taken twice a day, with 10 to 12 hours between each dose

Your dose might be lower if you’re over 65 or have kidney or liver problems or severe breathing problems.

How to take or use it

Take diazepam tablets or liquid with a drink of water. You can take them with or without food.If you’re taking diazepam as a liquid, the medicine will come with a plastic syringe or spoon to help you measure out the right dose. If you do not have a syringe or spoon, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not measure the right amount.

How long to take it for

How long you’ll need to take diazepam for depends on why you’re taking it. It is usually only recommended for a short period of time of up to 4 weeks.If you’re prescribed diazepam for more than 4 weeks, your dose may be reduced gradually to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

If you forget to take it

If you’re taking diazepam regularly and forget to take a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it’s nearly time for your next dose. In this case, just leave out the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to remember to take your medicine.

If you take too much

If you take more than your prescribed dose of diazepam you may get symptoms including:

• poor co-ordination or trouble speaking
• feeling sleepy
• a slow or irregular heartbeat
• uncontrolled eye movements
• muscle weakness
• feeling overexcited

The amount of diazepam that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person.Urgent advice: Contact 111 for advice now if you take more than your prescribed dose of diazepamGo to 111.nhs.uk or call 111If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.Take the diazepam packet, or the leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine with you.”