Zopiclon

What is Zopiclone?

A medication that requires a prescription and is used as a short-term treatment for insomnia which include having trouble sleeping, nocturnal awakening, early awakening, transient and situational insomnia. This medicine is often associated with low risks of dependence, problems with withdrawal and relapses.

How does it treat insomnia?

Zimovane is considered a non-benzodiazepine medication but works likely as a benzodiazepine would. It rapidly initiates and maintains sleep by reducing total REM and preserves slow wave sleep. Basically, it reduces the time it takes for you to sleep and rather elongates the time you spend on sleeping. It is classified under Z drugs which include Zolpidem – a sedative, hypnotic. The gist of zolpidem vs zopiclone is that zolpidem is in fact a non-benzodiazepine under sedative-hypnotics that act on the brain to produce a calming effect for 1 to 2 weeks only while zopiclone is mainly used as a sleeping pill for people who have trouble in dealing with insomnia.

Zopiclone or Zimovane works by blocking some of the ghrelin receptors that usually help the body produce and release energy, and this blocking allows the body to relax while allowing sleep. These are the two main metabolism brakes that work to keep us awake, and Zopiclone’s increased value comes from the fact that it blocks them more effectively than other sleeping pills, meaning it prevents sleep interruptions and can keep people asleep throughout the night.

What are the effects & benefits of taking Zopiclone?

Zopiclone is a rapid acting medicine commonly used to treat insomnia. Hence, it will put you to sleep in no time. Plus, it promotes maintenance of sleep, avoiding chances of occasional awakening at night. Since it helps your mind calm down and puts you to rest, it helps in promoting a proper wake cycle. Zopiclone medication should be avoided by certain people with the following conditions: if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, any breathing problems like sleep apnea where breathing occasionally stops for short periods at night, myasthenia gravis which causes muscle weakness and may eventually affect muscles in the lungs, drug dependence tendencies, mental health disorders, hepatic issues, allergies towards zopiclone and lastly, if you have any medication that may interact with zopiclone badly for example, taking diazepam and zopiclone together.

How should you take it?

Zopiclone is taken as one tablet an hour before bedtime. Strictly one tablet a day would suffice. In cases of kidney and liver problems that usually entail 65 years and over patients, a lower dose of Zopiclone 3.75mg medication is recommended.  But before taking anything, it is best to read the product information found on the leaflet to be knowledgeable about certain side effects Zopiclone may produce like feeling sleepy and tired, a bitter, metallic after-taste and dry mouth. To address these problems, buy zopiclone only if you are certain that there’s no chances of driving later the evening or even the morning after. As for the taste, better to try a sugar-free gum or sugar free candy to remove that after-taste on the side of a glass of water. The approved span of taking zopiclone is to not exceed 4 weeks of treatment to avoid tolerance. Tolerance to the medicine happens when the current dose of the medication is deemed to be ineffective. Added to that, to rely on the medicine on its own is not advisable. It is best to also change pre-bedtime habits like eating only a moderate amount of dinner not later than 7pm, avoiding white light as much as possible because it hinders the production of melatonin the hormone that helps you rest soundly at night. Put yourself in a quiet, comfortable room where your brain can relax. And lastly, avoid caffeinated products that may stimulate your brain activity and keep you from sleep.