The Right Way to Use Zopiclone: Dosage, Timing, and Precautions

Zopiclone is a popular non-benzodiazepine class, hypnotic drug primarily used to treat insomnia or sleeplessness conditions. This is a prescription-only, controlled medicine that requires you to obtain a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider for hassle-free and safe usage. However, you must not forget that like any other medication, zopiclone does have chances of side effects caused by misuse, overuse, or irresponsible use.

Therefore, if you are planning to take zopiclone for your sleeplessness issue and want to ensure safe and effective use, keep reading! In this blog, we will discuss the right way to take zopiclone including dosage information, timings and safety precautions to make your journey to sleep restoring safe, and hassle-free.

What is Zopiclone?

Zopiclone belongs to the class of drugs known as non-benzodiazepine hypnotics. The medicine is used for the short-term treatment of insomnia. Zopiclone is usually available in oral tablets and liquid forms. Your doctor may prescribe the medicine for the treatment of insomnia and other sleeping problems. It is also a prescription-only drug, and you can only procure the medicine if you have a doctor's prescription.

Zopiclone usage

The primary usage of Zopiclone is the short-term treatment of insomnia in adults. It is also used for the treatment of several sleep problems, such as:

• Difficulty in falling asleep.
• Frequently waking up at night.
• Waking up too early in the morning.
• Sleeping problem that causes irritability and other mental health problems.
• Disturbed sleep cycle.

However, Zopiclone is not prescribed for chronic or long-term insomnia. Long-term use is considered off-label and can cause dependency.

Zopiclone dosage

Zopiclone dosage can vary from one person to another, depending on their unique requirements and sleeping problems. One should strictly follow their doctor's instructions for taking Zopiclone. Here is a common dosage instruction for Zopiclone:

• Zopiclone is available in two different strengths- 3.75 mg and 7.5 mg.
• The usual dosage for short-term insomnia treatment in adults is 7.5 mg per day before bed.
• However, people with kidney or liver problems or elderly people are usually recommended a lower dosage of 3.75 mg.
• Also, if one is unsure about the effects of the medicine on them, they can consult with a doctor and begin with the lower dosage and increase the dosage if necessary with the doctor's permission.
• Do increase or decrease your Zopiclone dosage without consulting with your doctor.
• The medicine is formulated for short-term use. Taking it for a long time can lead to dependency.
• One should not suddenly stop using the medicine as it can cause withdrawal symptoms.

How to take Zopiclone?

Zopiclone is available in oral tablet and liquid forms. However, the tablet form of the medicine is widely used compared to the liquid form. Here is how to take Zopiclone oral tablet safely for the treatment of insomnia:

• Swallow the whole Zopiclone tablet with a glass of plain water.
• Do not crush, chew or break it.
• Take the exact dosage prescribed by your doctor.
• Take the medicine at least one to two hours before bedtime. This will help the medicine work properly.
• You can take the medicine with food. However, choose light meals instead of high-fat meals while taking Zopiclone.
• Use other methods, such as reducing screen time, staying hydrated etc., to improve the effects of the medicine.
• Take the medicine for a short time. The general length of insomnia treatment using Zopiclone can range between 2 days to 3 weeks.

Zopiclone: Onset time, peak time and duration

Zopiclone is a quick-acting sleeping medicine that starts working within 1-2 hours of ingestion. That is why, the medicine should be taken 1-2 hours before bedtime. However, the onset time of Zopiclone can be different for each individual, depending on their age, gender and other health conditions.

The medicine is rapidly absorbed by your body and reaches its peak time after 1.5-2 hours of ingestion. Also, the medicine has a half-life of 5 hours that can range between 3.5 hours to 6.5 after ingestion. One should be careful to observe how Zopiclone affects the body. One can try keeping a sleep journal to record the effects of Zopiclone on their body and how it improves their sleep.

The effects of Zopiclone can stay for up to 12 hours which helps ensure a good sleep at night. That is why, one should only take the medicine when they can take proper sleep of 7-8 hours at night. Not getting proper sleep after taking the medicine can cause sleepiness and drowsiness in the morning.

Common side-effects of Zopiclone

Zopiclone is usually prescribed by doctors to patients suffering from short-term insomnia caused by various physical or mental health conditions. This medicine is safe and well-tolerated. Some minor side effects can be experienced by people when start taking Zopiclone as their body adjusts to the effects of the medicine. However, if you take the medicine for a long period or overdose on it, you can experience severe side effects. Here are some common side-effects of Zopiclone:

• Metallic or bitter test in the mouth
• Dizziness or drowsiness
• Light-headedness
• Sweating
• Headache
• Irritability
• Irregular heartbeat
• Stomach problems
• Muscle aches

These signs usually go away on their own. However, if these problems persist or worsen with time, one should contact a healthcare provider at the earliest.

Other than these common side effects of Zopiclone, some serious side effects of the medicine include:

• Hallucination
• Depression
• Delusion
• Epilepsy
• Bipolar disorder
• Epilepsy
• Amnesia

Safety precautions for taking Zopiclone

Zopiclone is a powerful medicine that is used for effective treatment of short-term insomnia and other sleep problems. Safe and responsible usage of the medicine can reduce the chances of side effects. Here are some safety precautions for using Zopiclone:

• Consult with a doctor before taking Zopiclone for the treatment of insomnia.
• Do not take the medicine for a long time as it is prescribed for only short-term use.
• Follow your doctor's dosage instructions closely.
• Do not increase or decrease your Zopiclone dosage without consulting with your doctor.
• Do not suddenly stop using the medicine without informing your doctor as it can cause withdrawal symptoms.
• Take the medicine 1-2 hours before bedtime and ensure 7-8 hours of proper sleep when you take the medicine.
• Avoid cycling, driving or using heavy machinery in the morning when you use Zopiclone.
• Inform your doctor about your medical history, such as your mental and physical health conditions before taking the medicine.
• Do not take Zopiclone if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
• Do not take other medicines with Zopiclone that can interact with it.
• Do not take alcohol while using Zopiclone. Alcohol can interact with Zopiclone, increasing its effects that can make you feel more sleepy.
• Children and adolescents should not use the medicine.
• Elderly people should use the lower dosage of the medicine after consulting with a doctor.
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using Zopiclone.

Conclusion

Zopiclone or zopiclone tartrate is a widely prescribed medicine for treating short-term insomnia or sleeplessness. The medicine belongs to the non-benzodiazepine class hypnotic drug. It is known for its faster onset, long-lasting efficiency and quick results. However, you must not forget that Zopiclone and another similar drug are mostly recommended to use for the short term to prevent forming any dependency. Also, zopiclone has a chance of side effects due to misuse or overuse. Above, we have discussed everything you need to know about zopiclone before taking them.