Zopiclone Side Effects

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
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Bitter or metallic taste

Serious side effects

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

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

• get a poor memory (amnesia)
• see or hear things that are not real (hallucinations)
• think things that are not true (delusions)
• feel low or sad (have depression)
• Serious allergic reaction
• Bipolar disorder
• Epilepsy

Zopiclone can cause irritability, diaphoresis (sweating), restlessness and muscle cramps.. Zopiclone may cause bad breath, a bitter taste in your mouth and even your tongue may have a coated appearance 1. Do not suddenly discontinue zopiclone without your doctor’s supervision 1. Call your doctor immediately when these side effects occur.

How to use Zopiclone?

Zopiclone does not have to be taken at night. Do not crush or chew the tablet; instead, swallow it whole. The drugs may be taken with or without food. It starts to function almost immediately after you take it. Sometimes the medications can make you tired, and the sleepiness can last for a long time. This is why you can take the drug just before going to bed, or if you’ve already gone to bed but are having trouble sleeping.

Dosages and Strength

Zopiclone comes in the form of tablet and liquids. It has two different strengths: 3.75 mg and 7.5 mg. The normal dose should be taken is 7.5 mg just before going to bed. This can take around 1 hour to start working. The lower dose of 3.75 mg can be recommended to elderly people who are above 65 years of age and have kidney or liver problems. Taking a lower dose in these cases will help to reduce the risk of any excessive sleepiness and other adverse effects. It is very important to take the medications exactly as is directed by the doctor.

Missed Dose

If you are missing a dose of Zopiclone skip the missed dose and get back to your regular dosing schedule. Avoid taking 2 doses at the same time and don’t take any extra dose to make up for a missed dose.

Overdose

Feeling drowsy, confused, sleeping deeply, and probably falling into a coma are all signs of an overdose of medication. It may also cause muscle weakness (hypotonia), dizziness, lightheadedness, or faintness. Some signs and symptoms include dizziness, loss of balance, and breathing problems.

Pregnancy

If you’re pregnant, avoid taking zopiclone because it could harm your unborn child. It may also have negative consequences in newborns. There’s some proof that taking zopiclone increases the chances of having a baby who is born prematurely (before 37 weeks) and has a low birth weight. Taking zopiclone right up until labour may increase the risk of withdrawal symptoms in the infant.