Zopiclone General Description

Zopiclone is a hypnotic agent primarily used in the treatment of insomnia. In pharmacies, the drug can be found under the brand names Somnol, Imovan, Piklodorm.

The active agent of the drug is zopiclone, contained at 3.75 milligrams in each tablet. Auxiliary components include starch, sodium, povidone, magnesium, silicon, cellulose and lactose. Each tablet is coated in a macrogol, titanium and hypromellose shell. The tablets are of an oblong shape with a separation line, cream or white in color.

Zopiclone produces:

• sedative
• hypnotic
• anticonvulsant
• anxiolytic
• muscle relaxant effects

After using the drug, patients note the reduced time of dropping-off to sleep and the lowered number of early awakenings.

Zopiclone is commonly used in medicine and sports for the treatment of nightmares and awakenings in the middle of the night, sensitive and restless sleep and insomnia. The drug is used only in short-term cycles, as it can cause the body to become addicted when taken for more than four weeks. The medication is taken at minimal dosages.

Bodybuilders start using Zopiclone in stressful situations caused by anxiety and intense physical exertion. The drug does not affect the endocrine profile of the athlete, so it can be used in the post-competitive stages to achieve healthy sleep.
The drug is absorbed very quickly, its maximum concentration in blood plasma is reached within 1.5 hours after administration. The bioavailability of Zopiclone is 80%. Regardless of the dosage, the half-life of the drug is 5 hours.

Zopiclone is metabolized in the liver and excreted through the urine after 7.5 hours. The medication has a reduced renal clearance of 8.4 ml per minute, which indicates that the medication is excreted from the body by disintegrating into metabolites. About 80% of the drug is excreted through the kidneys, 16% is removed along with feces.

Zopiclone Benefits

The positive effects of the drug include:

• A relaxing and soothing effect.
• Normalized sleep.
• Eliminated insomnia and anxiety.
• Rapid onset of the sleep phase.
• Eliminated nightmares.
• Normalized sleep pattern.
• Relieved depression and stress.
• Lack of influence on cognitive functions and state of memory.
• When used for 30 days, causes no addiction.
• Good tolerance.
• Minimal risk of adverse reactions.

The indisputable advantage of the drug is its ability to improve the quality of sleep in a few days when used at minimal dosages.

Zopiclone Possible Side Effects

Zopiclone does not cause adverse reactions when used at the correct dosages for a proper cycle, but with frequent use it can produce an unpleasant aftertaste of metal in the mouth. If users suffer from mental disorders, the medication can cause depression, irritability, aggression, hallucinations, somnambulism. Dizziness, amnesia, paresthesia, diplopia, nausea, dyspepsia, shortness of breath, hives, itching, diarrhea and ataxia are also possible.

After prolonged use, the drug may cause muscle tissue pain, cramps, tachycardia, tremors, hyperacusia, derealization and photophobia. If adverse reactions occur, users should immediately consult a doctor and stop taking the medication.
Zopiclone is not prescribed if the patient has an individual intolerance to the active components, as well as in cases of myasthenia gravis, liver disease, apnea syndrome and lung disease.

Zopiclone Administration and Dosage

Zopiclone tablets are taken before bedtime and washed down with copious amounts of water. Dosage is calculated based on age, health and weight. Adults younger than 65 years of age are recommended to use the drug at 7.5 milligrams. People older than 65 years should use Zopiclone at 3.75 milligrams.

If abnormalities in the liver and kidneys are detected, the dosage should remain below 3.75 milligrams.It is impossible to stop taking the medication sharply, as this will lead to the re-occurrence of insomnia; therefore, before stopping the cycle, the dosage of the drug is gradually reduced.

The duration of the drug’s usage can vary from 3 to 30 days. The cycle is calculated depending on the cause of the disease. For the treatment of transient insomnia, the drug is used for 2-3 days. In case of sleep disturbance caused by stress, the duration of the medication use lasts for 14-21 days. The usage of Zopiclone starts at the minimal dosage and is gradually increased if necessary.

After taking Zopiclone, users may not drive a vehicle, as the medication inhibits the reaction times important for driving. It is also not recommended to drink alcohol during the cycle, as this can cause muscle spasm.
At high doses, the drug depresses the nervous system, causing drowsiness. A mild overdose may cause confusion; in severe cases, ataxia and respiratory failure may occur.

In case of an overdose it’s vital to do a gastric lavage and consume activated carbon within an hour. If no relief occurs, call a doctor and carry out the necessary treatment.
In some cases, it is necessary to use the antidote called Flumazenil.
The drug can not be combined with alcohol and medications based on alcohol, as this leads to inhibition of the reaction times and a decrease in concentration. 

Zopiclone is not compatible with Rifampicin – this leads to an increase in the metabolism in the liver and a decrease in the concentration of the drug in the blood plasma, which reduces the effect of Zopiclone. Therefore, if it’s necessary to take Rifampicin, users should select another sedative. Since the medication is highly effective, it is used only by medical prescription.