Zopiclone

This medication is highly effective at inducing sleep quickly due to its muscle relaxant and sedative-hypnotic properties. The tablet is also commonly used off-label to help combat symptoms of general anxiety and is well known by the brand name Imovane.

What is Zopiclone Used For?

Generic Zimovane is mainly used to treat all forms of insomnia. A condition that is characterised by the inability to fall asleep and stay asleep, and the three main types of insomnia are:

Transient: transient: Insomnia that usually lasts less than a week and does not reoccur or need medical attention.

Acute: acute insomnia, or short-term insomnia, is sleep deprivation that last for less than a month at a time, and is usually the result of stress. When the event causing stress passes, the patient should be able to return to a more natural sleep cycle.

Chronic: If the insomnia affects most nights and lasts a month or more, it is considered chronic insomnia.

Secondary insomnia is a sleeping disorder that is a symptom of other mental health issues. This is a common condition and many people suffering with insomnia also have another health condition. Sleeping tablets like zopiclone can help eliminate insomnia and reduce the risk of other illnesses like heart disease and diabetes.

A recent study compared this medicine with several benzodiazepine based sleeping tablets, and found that this particular Z drug was equal to and sometimes even more effective than the more traditional sleeping aids. Furthermore, patients receiving a zopiclone 7.5 mg dose described having less grogginess during the following day.

Other clinical trials found that patients using zopiclone experienced no return of insomnia after finishing the course of medication, and indicated that the risk of withdrawal reactions with the correct dosage is very low.

Zopiclone Dosage and Usage Instructions

People who buy generic Zimovane online in the EU should always read the product leaflet, but here are some simple instructions to help sufferers get the best results when using this treatment:

• Place the tablet above the tongue, and swallow the tablet whole with some liquid like water and do not crush, break or bite the tablet in any way.
• Studies of patients who use Zimovane for anxiety as per recommendations have shown reduced daytime anxiety.
• If the patient wakes up during the night, we strongly advise that they do not take a second dose as this can lead to daytime sleepiness.

The standard Zopiclone dosage is a 7.5 mg tablet, and can be split into two parts for a smaller dose if preferred. The recommended adult dose is one tablet 1hr before bedtime.

This medication should be used only when needed and is intended to help the patient re-establish a natural sleep cycle. If it is used on a continuous basis, treatment usually does not exceed four weeks. The recommended dose for elderly patients and those with liver or kidney problems, is usually half a tablet (3.75 mg).

 Treatment duration:

• Transient Insomnia 2-5 days.
• Acute insomnia 2-3 weeks.

Treatment with this medication should be for short term periods only. Generally, the duration of treatment varies from a few days to three weeks, including a weaning off period, of four weeks.

In some cases, an extension beyond the recommended treatment period may be needed; if so it should take place after re-evaluation by the patient’s doctor.

This sleep medication is used for the short-term treatment of insomnia where falling asleep or sleep maintenance are prominent symptoms. Long-term use is not recommended, as tolerance, dependence, and addiction can occur.

We recommend that patients with sleeping disorders should consult with a medical professional before starting a course of medication, or when extending the recommended treatment duration.

Can You Use Zopiclone for Anxiety?

Anxiety is a very normal and natural response to stressful situations such as; a job interview, making a speech, or financial problem. Once the stressful situation has passed or been overcome, the feelings of fear and dread disappear.

An anxiety disorder, is a psychological illness in which an individual experiences extreme fear lasting for an extended period of six months or more. The source of the danger is unknown, some of the physical symptoms of anxiety include sweating, shakiness and dizziness.

The term anxiety disorder covers a range of specific psychiatric disorders that involve extreme fear or, apprehension and includes;

• generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• panic attacks
• agoraphobia- a fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult
• social anxiety disorder (SAD)
• separation anxiety
• other specific phobias.

The Clinical guidelines generally recommend to prescribe benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium) to treat anxiety or insomnia that is severe, disabling and causing extreme distress.

Zimovane is a nonbenzodiazepine drug that has been developed to treat insomnia, and is usually prescribed as a short-term relief for people who consistently have problems falling asleep, wake up during the night, or wake too early.

Although doctors do not generally prescribe generic Zimovane for anxiety, people who buy zopiclone in the EU have found that it can also be used to treat occasional or chronic insomnia, and insomnia associated with psychiatric disturbances, or where the insomnia is causing severe anxiety and distress to the patient.

Zopiclone Side Effects and Precautions

Clinical studies have shown that the benefits of this sleep aid are far greater than the mild side effects. In general, these studies confirmed that this treatment caused very few problems for patients, and side effects that were noticed did not last long, and tended to quickly disappear.

The zopiclone side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who take this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

After prescribing Zimovane to patients, doctors discovered that some people experienced side effects because the advised dosage instructions were not followed.

The most common side effects that have been found to affect around 10% of people with sleeping disorders include:

• Daytime drowsiness, or dizziness
• Light-headedness
• Dry mouth and bitter taste
• Mild stomach problems and headaches may occur as the body adjusts to the medication.

Combining zopiclone and alcohol increases the undesirable effects including the overdose potential significantly.  It is because of these risks and the increased risk of dependence, alcohol should be avoided when using this sleeping aid.

We also advise patients to avoid driving or any other activities that require concentration until you see how this medicine affects you.

After lengthy and continuous use, the body can become accustomed its sedative effects. When the dose is then reduced or the drug is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms may result. However, a study published by the World Health Organization reported that these withdrawal symptoms to be less severe than with diazepam but similar to nitrazepam.

Patients with pre-existing medical conditions should always speak with their doctor, and Zopiclone 7.5 mg tablets should not be taken by patients with:

• myasthenia gravis,
• liver or kidney problems
• respiratory failure,
• severe sleep apnoea syndrome,
• severe hepatic insufficiency
• hypersensitivity to zopiclone

As with all hypnotics, zopiclone and alcohol should not be mixed, and this medication should not be used by anyone under the age of 18.