Zopiclone And Its Use In Medicine
Zopiclone is known as a sleeping pill. It’s sold under the brand name Zimovane and helps people suffering from poor sleep.
Although every adult person has experienced sleep problems at least once in his life, Zopiclone cannot be used to treat milder symptoms. It’s a prescription drug that allows you to spend less time trying to fall asleep and increases the length of sleep during the night. Zopiclone is normally prescribed for short periods, so it cannot be taken on a regular basis.
If you face difficulties falling asleep, staying awake at night, or waking up way too early, Zopiclone can help your body and brain with these issues.
The average duration of treatment with Zopiclone is 2-4 weeks. It’s highly recommended not to take the pills after this period. Your body gets used to the medicine, thus, the result will be decreasing. Plus you may form a dependency on the tablets.
When Should I Not Take Zopiclone?
Despite being an amazing pill, Zopiclone is not suitable for everyone. Discuss your treatment options with a doctor and check if any have one or more of the following conditions:
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding.
- Breathing problems.
- Myasthenia gravis, sleep apnoea.
- Drug addiction (current or previous cases).
- Mental health issues.
- Problems with the liver or kidneys functioning.
- Allergic reaction to a medicine.
If you are currently undergoing treatment with other kinds of medicines, Zopiclone may not be suitable for you. Even if you take harmless herbal or complementary drugs, or non-prescription medicines.
How To Take Zopiclone: Basic Rules
- The beginning is your treatment should always be a thorough inspection of the package and the leaflet. It’s a source of the most important info about Zopiclone, including a list of possible side effects.
- Always stick to the dosage prescribed by your doctor. It differs for every patient and depends on the condition, age, and medical history.
- Both adults and seniors shouldn’t take more than one pill. However, the strength may vary. A stronger dosage of 7.5 mg is a good option for adults, while seniors should take the 3.75 mg tablet.
- If your doctor tells you to take Zopiclone only 2-3 times per week (and not every day), do as he tells you.
Enhancing The Treatment Efficacy With Simple Steps
- Take care of your well-being and take Zopiclone as prescribed by the doctor. The maximum length of treatment is 4 weeks, so make sure to cease the medication after this period. Moreover, there won’t be the same great effect as your body gets used to the drug.
- Don’t be alarmed if you feel sleepy the following day after taking the pill. It’s a common side effect. In this case, just avoid driving and using dangerous tools until you feel better.
- Zopiclone and alcohol don’t work well. Such a mixture leads to side effects. During your treatment, it’s important to avoid drinking alcohol.
- If your doctor asks you to slowly reduce the dosage of Zopiclone close to the end of treatment, follow his recommendation. This is necessary to prevent poor sleep from returning.
- If planning international trips, get a letter from your doctor stating that you were prescribed Zopiclone. Otherwise, you may answer plenty of questions at the customs control.
Zopiclone And Its Side Effects
This is one of the most unpleasant parts of any treatment. However, there’s no need to worry: less than 10% of patients experience side effects. First of all, read about the possible negative experiences in the leaflet.
Second, check these three most common side effects of Zopiclone (they aren’t as bad as may seem):
- Sleepiness or tiredness during the day.
- Dry mouth.
- Metallic or bitter aftertaste.
You can deal with these conditions easily. However, there are some side effects that require you to see the doctor immediately. This includes sleepwalking and sleep-driving that you are not aware of.
Besides, if something else bothers you during your treatment with Zopiclone, don’t hesitate to discuss it with a doctor.
Tips on How to Store Zopiclone
- Store medicine in a dry, cool area.
- Keep away from kids, light, and heat.
General Information on Treatment with Drugs
Always ask your pharmacist about drug compatibility. Some medicines cannot be taken together.
Avoid taking more pills (or stronger pills) than prescribed. In case of overdose, visit the accident and emergency department of the local hospital. Bring the container, even if there are no pills left.
Share the information about the meds you are taking with your dentist or surgeon (when undergoing treatment).
The medicine is prescribed for each patient individually. Never share our tablets with anyone else. If you have some tablets left after the end of treatment, be sure to dispose of them. Also never keep or use expired medicines.