Zopiclone: short-term sleeping tablet guide

Zopiclone is a hypnotic that affects calming chemicals in the brain. The NHS says it is used as a short-term treatment for sleeping problems when they are affecting daily life. That covers difficulty falling asleep, waking in the night and waking early in the morning.

It is intended as a bridge, not a long-term answer. Sleep habits and treatments for any underlying cause usually form the longer-term plan. If you are still struggling after a short course, tell your prescriber so that other approaches can be considered.

It is taken as a tablet, swallowed whole with water, once a day just before bed. The NHS says it takes 30 to 60 minutes to start working, so do not take it until you are ready to sleep.

The NHS says it is usually not prescribed for more than 4 weeks because your body can become used to it. If you miss a dose, skip it and take the next one the following night as usual. Do not take two tablets in one night.

If you take too much, call NHS 111. Do not drive; arrange another way to get care or call 999.

The NHS is specific: do not drive, ride a bike or use machinery for 12 hours after taking zopiclone. Reduced alertness, tiredness and a dazed feeling can carry into the following day.

Several of the common effects are about taste and alertness.

• Common: dry mouth, a bitter or metallic taste, tiredness, sleepiness, feeling dazed and reduced alertness the next day.

• Seek help through NHS 111 for difficulty breathing, sleepwalking or other complex behaviours, hallucinations, delusions, depression or suicidal thoughts.

• An allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) is an emergency; call 999.

The NHS lists a previous serious reaction to zopiclone, muscle weakness such as myasthenia gravis, sleep apnoea, breathing problems, liver problems, and a history of addiction to alcohol, drugs or prescription medicines. Tell the prescriber about all of them.

Alcohol makes the effects stronger and can cause breathing problems and difficulty waking. The NHS says not to drink while taking it.

Other sedating medicines add to the effect. The NHS lists other sleep and anxiety medicines, opioid painkillers, antipsychotics, antidepressants, epilepsy medicines, sedating antihistamines, some antibiotics and some antifungals.

It is not usually used in pregnancy, though it may be considered when insomnia is severe and other treatments have failed. It may be used briefly while breastfeeding with a doctor's approval.

It is possible to become addicted. Do not stop suddenly after regular use, because of withdrawal risk; your doctor will reduce the dose gradually. Report suspected side effects to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.