Zopicon 7.5 Mg (Zopiclone)

Zopicon is a film-coated tablet containing zopiclone 7.5 mg. 

Zopiclone is a hypnotic of the cyclopyrrolone group. 

It is indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia in adults. 

That includes difficulty falling asleep, nocturnal awakening, and early awakening. 

It rapidly initiates and sustains sleep without reducing total REM sleep. 

Slow wave sleep is preserved. 

It is made by Intas Pharmaceuticals in India. 

7.5 mg is the standard adult dose. 

It may be taken with or without food.

Effects typically begin within about 30 minutes.

It is not a treatment for anxiety.

It is not a treatment for depression, and may mask its symptoms. 

It is not for use in anyone under 18. 

It is not for long-term continuous use. 

It is a prescription-only medicine. 

Zopiclone is a hypnotic agent of the cyclopyrrolone group. 

It acts at central receptors belonging to the GABA macromolecular receptor complex. 

Binding there modulates the opening of the chloride ion channel. 

GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.

Enhancing its effect calms overactive nerve signalling.

This initiates and sustains sleep. 

zopiclone and other cyclopyrrolones act at a different site from benzodiazepines, producing different conformational changes in the receptor complex. They nonetheless share dependence potential.

because of the muscle relaxant effect, there is a risk of falling, especially in elderly patients who get up during the night. 

Take just before retiring for the night.

Absorption is not modified by food.

UK tablets should be swallowed whole without sucking or chewing, though they carry a break line for dividing into equal doses.

Ensure about 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

Taper gradually; do not stop abruptly after regular use. 

Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed.

Agree a plan for stopping before you start. 

Swallow the tablet whole with water. 

Do not suck, chew, or break the tablet. 

Take it just before getting into bed. 

Take it only when certain of retiring for the night. 

Ensure about 7 to 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. 

It may be taken with or without food. 

Take one dose only. Never take a second tablet in the same night. 

Do not drink alcohol on any night you take it. 

Do not take it with opioid painkillers. 

Do not drive or use machinery for 12 hours afterwards. 

Take particular care getting up during the night. 

Do not use it for more than 4 weeks. 

Do not stop suddenly after regular use. 

Tell your doctor if you need more to get the same effect. 

Do not share it with anyone else. 

Are hypersensitive to zopiclone or any excipient.

Have previously experienced complex sleep behaviours after taking zopiclone.

Have myasthenia gravis.

Have respiratory failure.

Have severe sleep apnoea syndrome.

Have severe hepatic insufficiency.

Are a child or adolescent under 18.

UK zopiclone 7.5 mg tablets contain 80 mg lactose monohydrate. Do not take them if you have rare hereditary galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption. 

They contain 0.13 mg sodium per tablet, which is essentially sodium-free. 

Use during pregnancy is not recommended. 

Use in nursing mothers must be avoided. 

Concomitant use of zopiclone and opioids may result in sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve this combination for patients with no adequate alternative, at the lowest doses and shortest duration. 

Zopiclone does not treat depression and may mask its symptoms; suicide may be precipitated in such patients. The least amount feasible should be supplied to patients with depressive symptoms, to avoid intentional overdose. 

Any previous sleep-walking or activity while not fully awake. 

Any breathing or lung condition, including sleep apnoea. 

Any liver disease. 

Any kidney disease. 

Myasthenia gravis or muscle weakness. 

Depression, or any mental health condition. 

Any thoughts of self-harm or suicide. 

Any history of alcohol, substance, or drug misuse. 

Any previous withdrawal symptoms from alcohol or drugs. 

Any personality disorder. 

Whether you have taken zopiclone or similar medicines for more than four weeks recently. 

A history of falls, or difficulty getting up at night. 

Whether you are pregnant, might be, or are breastfeeding. 

Whether you drive or operate machinery. 

Your age, since those 65 and over should start at 3.75 mg. 

Every other medicine you take, including ones bought without prescription or online. 

A doctor has prescribed this medicine and this strength.

I have never had a complex sleep behaviour on zopiclone. 

I am under 65; otherwise 3.75 mg is the starting dose. 

I have no liver, kidney, or chronic respiratory impairment. 

I have agreed a plan for stopping treatment. 

I know the maximum course is 4 weeks. 

I do not have myasthenia gravis, respiratory failure, or severe sleep apnoea. 

I have 7 to 8 hours available for uninterrupted sleep. 

I have drunk no alcohol tonight. 

I take no opioids or other sedatives. 

I will not drive or use machinery for 12 hours. 

I am not taking a second dose tonight. 

I have told my doctor about any history of substance misuse. 

I have told my doctor about any depression. 

I am not pregnant or breastfeeding. 

I have a review date arranged. 

The strip is sealed and the expiry date valid.

I know the emergency warning signs listed below.

Restlessness, agitation, irritability, aggression, delusion, anger, nightmares, hallucinations and inappropriate behaviour are known to occur with sedative-hypnotics. These are more likely in the elderly. If they occur, zopiclone should be discontinued. 

is a transient return of the original symptoms in an enhanced form on stopping, sometimes with mood changes, anxiety and restlessness. It is more likely after prolonged or abrupt discontinuation. 

Antipsychotics and narcoleptics.

Other hypnotics and sedatives.

Anxiolytics.

Antidepressants.

Narcotic analgesics, which may also enhance euphoria and increase psychic dependence.

Anti-epileptic medicines.

Anaesthetics.

Sedating antihistamines.

concomitant use increases the risk of sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death. Limit dosage and duration. 

Erythromycin, which increased zopiclone exposure by 80%.

Clarithromycin.

Ketoconazole and itraconazole.

Ritonavir.

Rifampicin.

Carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin.

St John’s Wort.

Sleep-walking, sleep-driving, or other activity while not fully awake. 

Waking to evidence of activity you do not remember. 

Difficulty breathing, or very shallow breathing. 

Extreme drowsiness or difficulty waking.

Confusion or disorientation. 

Hallucinations. 

Aggression or markedly out-of-character behavior. 

Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. 

Widespread rash or hives. 

A fall causing injury. 

A seizure. 

New or worsening low mood or thoughts of self-harm. 

Tell emergency staff you have taken zopiclone. State the dose and time. Mention any alcohol, opioids, or other sedatives. Bring the pack if you can.

7.5 mg is the standard approved adult dose of zopiclone. 

Made by Intas Pharmaceuticals, a major Indian pharmaceutical company. 

Listed on Apollo Pharmacy, one of India’s largest pharmacy chains.

It initiates and sustains sleep without reducing total REM sleep.

Slow wave sleep is preserved. 

Absorption is not affected by food.

Effects typically begin within about 30 minutes.

No marked tolerance develops over treatment periods of up to 4 weeks. 

Zopiclone is licensed in the UK and widely used internationally.

It is for short-term use only, with a 4-week maximum. 

Dependence can occur even with short-term use at recommended doses. 

A stopping strategy should be agreed before starting. 

Driving is not advised for 12 hours afterwards. 

Residual next-day drowsiness is a common effect. 

A bitter or metallic taste is common and often persistent. 

It is not the correct starting dose for anyone over 65. 

It is not the correct starting dose in liver, kidney, or respiratory impairment. 

Paradoxical reactions are more likely in the elderly. 

It does not treat depression and may mask it. 

You are aged 65 or over. 

You have any liver dysfunction. 

You have impaired kidney function. 

You have chronic respiratory insufficiency.

Your insomnia has lasted more than a few weeks.

You have untreated depression, anxiety, or pain disturbing your sleep. 

You have sleep apnea or any breathing difficulty. 

You have a history of substance dependence. 

You cannot reliably allow 7 to 8 hours for sleep. 

You must drive within 12 hours of your usual waking time. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia, generally recommended first-line.

A consistent sleep and waking schedule.

Reviewing caffeine, alcohol, and screen use in the evening.

Treating any underlying medical or psychiatric cause. 

Zopiclone at the standard adult dose from a major manufacturer, which is the strongest sourcing position of the zopiclone products in this catalogue. Used within four weeks, with a stopping plan agreed in advance and 12 hours clear of driving, it is a well-characterised short-term treatment.

Store below 30°C in a cool, dry place.

Keep tablets in the original strip until use.

Store securely, out of the sight and reach of children.

Accidental ingestion by a child is a medical emergency.

Do not keep it beside the bed if you are prone to night-time confusion.

Do not transfer tablets into unlabelled containers.

Keep the original pack for the drug name and strength.

Keep the original pack for the drug name and strength.

The same brand is also sold at 10 mg, above the approved adult dose.

Do not freeze or refrigerate.

Check the expiry date printed on the pack.

Never use tablets after the expiry date.

Never share this medicine with anyone else. 

Return unused tablets to a pharmacy for disposal.

Do not flush tablets or throw them in household waste.