Zopiclone 10mg

Description

Zopiclone 10 mg Tablets: The Lower Dose, Who It Is For and How to Use It Safely

Zopiclone is a prescription sleeping tablet used for short-term insomnia. The 10 mg tablet is the lower of the two UK strengths, and it is the dose prescribers choose first for people who are more sensitive to sedating medicines, including older adults and people with liver or kidney problems. For some people it is also the sensible place to start, with the dose reviewed after a few nights.

Zopiclone can help when insomnia is severe or distressing, but it is meant for brief use only. This guide explains who the 10 mg tablet suits, how to take it, and the risks to know about. It is general education and does not replace your prescriber’s instructions.

Zopiclone 10 mg at a Glance

Medicine	Zopiclone (“Z-drug” hypnotic)
Strength	10 mg per tablet
Used for	Short-term treatment of insomnia
Usual use	One tablet immediately before bed, only when you can have a full night’s sleep
Treatment length	As short as possible, usually no more than about four weeks including any dose reduction
Legal status	Schedule 4 (Part 1) controlled drug
Prescription required	Yes

Who the 10 mg Tablet Is Chosen For

• Older adults: they are more sensitive to sedatives, so a lower dose lowers the chance of confusion, unsteadiness and falls.
• People with liver problems: the liver clears zopiclone, so less is needed.
• People with kidney problems: a lower starting dose is usually advised.
• Anyone starting zopiclone for the first time, when the prescriber wants to use the lowest dose that works.
• People taking other medicines that raise zopiclone levels, such as some antibiotics and antifungals (see the interactions below).

For many adults the maximum is the higher strength, covered on our zopiclone 7.5 mg page, but a lower dose is always preferred if it works.

Insomnia Treatment Starts With More Than a Tablet

Clinical guidance recommends trying non-drug approaches first, and using sleeping tablets only when insomnia is severe and affecting daily life. Habits that help include:

• Going to bed and waking at the same time every day
• Keeping the bedroom dark, cool and quiet, and using it only for sleep
• Cutting down on caffeine, especially after midday
• Avoiding screens and heavy meals in the hour before bed
• Getting daylight and gentle exercise earlier in the day
• Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), which has the best long-term results

Ask your GP about CBT-I, or see the NHS pages on insomnia. Tablets should support these steps, not replace them.

How to Take Zopiclone 10 mg

1. Take it only at bedtime, immediately before you get into bed.
2. Only take it if you can stay in bed for a full night, usually seven to eight hours. Taking it when you must wake early or drive increases the risk of impairment.
3. Swallow with water. Do not take it with alcohol.
4. Take one dose per night, at most. Never take a second tablet if you wake in the night.
5. Follow your prescriber’s plan for how many nights to use it, and do not extend the course yourself.

If you forget or stay awake

Do not take a dose later in the night. Skip it and try again the next evening.

Risks You Should Know About

Next-day drowsiness and driving

Zopiclone can leave you drowsy, unsteady or slow to react the next morning, particularly at higher doses or if you have slept for less than a full night. In the UK, driving while impaired by a medicine is an offence. Do not drive, cycle or use machinery if you feel any effect. Official advice is on the GOV.UK drug-driving page.

Complex sleep behaviours

Rarely, people taking sleeping tablets such as zopiclone have got up and done things in their sleep, such as sleepwalking, eating, making phone calls or even driving, with no memory of it afterwards. If this happens, stop the tablets and contact your doctor straight away.

Falls and confusion in older adults

Sedatives raise the risk of night-time falls and fractures. Keep the route to the bathroom clear and well lit, and tell your doctor if you feel unsteady or confused.

Tolerance, dependence and rebound insomnia

The longer zopiclone is taken, the less well it may work, and the greater the risk of dependence. Stopping suddenly after regular use can cause rebound insomnia, anxiety and, in some cases, more serious withdrawal symptoms. This is why courses are kept short and reduced gradually.

Low mood

Sleeping tablets can sometimes worsen low mood or bring up thoughts of self-harm. If this happens, contact your doctor straight away. In an emergency call 999, or call Samaritans free on 116 123.

Common Side Effects

• A bitter or metallic taste in the mouth, the most typical effect, which usually fades after you wake up
• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness, tiredness or a “hangover” feeling
• Dizziness or headache
• Nausea or indigestion
• Memory problems for events after taking the tablet
• Vivid dreams or nightmares

Seek help quickly for

• Swelling of the face, lips or throat, or difficulty breathing
• Very slow or shallow breathing, or being very hard to wake
• Sleepwalking or other unusual night-time behaviour
• Confusion, hallucinations or aggressive behaviour
• Thoughts of self-harm

Alcohol and Other Medicines

Alcohol greatly increases sedation and breathing risk. Do not drink on the night you take zopiclone.

Medicine	Concern
Opioid painkillers	Serious sedation and breathing risk
Benzodiazepines and other sleeping tablets	Added sedation; usually not combined
Pregabalin and gabapentin (see our pregabalin page)	Added drowsiness and breathing risk
Sedating antihistamines, antidepressants and antipsychotics	Increased drowsiness
Clarithromycin, erythromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole (see our clarithromycin page)	Can raise zopiclone levels, so a lower dose is needed
Rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, St John’s wort	May lower zopiclone levels and weaken its effect

Who Should Not Take Zopiclone

• People with myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness)
• People with severe breathing problems or sleep apnoea
• People with severe liver disease
• Anyone with a past allergic reaction to zopiclone
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: generally avoided; talk to your prescriber if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding
• People with a history of drug or alcohol dependence, who usually need a different approach

Coming Off Zopiclone

If you have taken it for more than a short spell, do not stop suddenly. Your prescriber will usually reduce the dose gradually. A few poor nights are common afterwards, but they settle. If you are finding it hard to stop, tell your doctor rather than carrying on alone.

Storage and Disposal

• Keep in the original pack at room temperature, out of sight and reach of children.
• Store securely, since zopiclone can be misused.
• Return unused tablets to a pharmacy, and never give them to anyone else.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly does zopiclone work?

It usually takes effect within about 30 minutes, which is why it is taken immediately before bed.

Why does zopiclone leave a bitter taste?

The medicine passes into saliva, causing a metallic or bitter taste. It is common and not harmful.

Can I take zopiclone every night?

Only for the short course your prescriber advises. Regular long-term use brings tolerance and dependence.

Can I drive the morning after?

Only if you feel completely alert and have had a full night’s sleep. If you feel drowsy or slow, do not drive.

Is 10 mg enough to work?

For many people, yes, especially older adults. Your prescriber may use 10 mg if 10  mg does not help and it is safe for you.

Can I drink alcohol with zopiclone?

No. Alcohol significantly increases drowsiness and breathing risks.

Can I buy zopiclone without a prescription?

No. It is a controlled drug and must be supplied on a valid prescription.

Is zopiclone the same as a benzodiazepine?

It is chemically different, but it acts on similar brain receptors and carries similar risks of dependence and withdrawal.

Where to Read More

See the NHS zopiclone guide, the NHS insomnia pages and the GOV.UK drug-driving law page.

Medical disclaimer: This information is for general education and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Always follow your prescriber’s instructions and the patient leaflet supplied with your medicine.