Treatment may include methods such as stress reduction, relaxation and sleep schedule management. Contact an accredited sleep center to get help for insomnia or another sleep problem.
Find a behavioral sleep medicine provider who can offer CBT-I. Previous Next. View Larger Image. Updated May 20, Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email. Related Posts.
Insomnia Awareness Night: Infographic. Sleep in the hospital. Insomnia Awareness Night sheds light on sleeplessness. Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.
What if I take too much? If you have taken more than your prescribed dose by accident, call your doctor for advice. Urgent advice: Contact a doctor now if:. Not everyone will get side effects with zopiclone. These common side effects happen in more than 1 in people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away: a bitter or metallic taste in your mouth or a dry mouth feeling sleepy or tired Serious side effects Serious side effects are rare, but you should call your doctor as soon as possible if you: lose your memory — this is called amnesia see or hear things that are not real — these are called hallucinations fall over, especially if you're elderly think things that are not true — these are called delusions feel low or sad — this could be a sign of depression Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to zopiclone.
Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme. Visit Yellow Card for further information. What to do about: a bitter or metallic taste in your mouth or a dry mouth — if this bothers you, try taking sips of water and keep some water by your bed at night.
Using a mouthwash before bedtime may also help. Choose one that's good for a dry mouth , as some can make a dry mouth worse. Do not drink any alcohol as this will make you feel more tired. If this does not help, talk to your doctor. Zopiclone and breastfeeding Zopiclone passes into breast milk in small amounts. If you have to take zopiclone, talk to your doctor or midwife about your feeding options.
Certain medicines may increase the drowsy-making sedating effects of zopiclone. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before starting on zopiclone if you take any of the following: medicines to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder medicines to treat depression medicines for epilepsy medicines to calm or reduce anxiety, or for sleep problems medicines for hay fever , rashes or other allergies that can make you sleepy sedative antihistamines, such as chlorphenamine or promethazine strong painkillers such as codeine , methadone, morphine , oxycodone , pethidine or tramadol erythromycin or clarithromycin antibiotics used to treat infections medicines used to treat fungal infections such as ketoconazole and itraconazole ritonavir a medicine used to treat HIV infections Mixing zopiclone with herbal remedies and supplements Do not take any herbal remedies that make you feel sleepy while taking zopiclone.
They can increase the drowsy-making sedating effects of your medicine. Important: Medicine safety Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. How does zopiclone work? GABA blocks transmission across nerves in the brain and has a calming effect. By boosting the effectiveness of GABA, zopiclone improves sleep.
How long will it take to work? Will I sleepwalk with zopiclone? If this happens to you, go back to your doctor for advice. How long will I take it for? You'll usually be prescribed zopiclone for just 2 to 4 weeks. See your doctor again if these do not help. Can I get addicted to zopiclone? If you just take it for a few weeks, you're unlikely to become addicted to zopiclone. You may become dependent on it if you take it for longer than 4 weeks. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice about stopping zopiclone.
How do I come off zopiclone and will I get withdrawal symptoms? This is when, for a few days or weeks, your insomnia returns more intensely than before. Can I drive or ride a bike?
Will it affect my fertility? Will it affect my contraception? Is there any food or drink I need to avoid? Caffeine has the opposite effect of zopiclone in your body and stops it working. Can I drink alcohol with it? How long will it stay in my system? Some sleep medications can cause rebound insomnia if they are stopped too suddenly. If you notice side effects or if you have any other concerns, talk to your doctor as soon as possible so they can help you safely stop the medication.
If your doctor has prescribed sleeping pills long-term, you will most likely go back after several weeks for a follow-up visit. If you and your doctor decide the medication is not working for you, they may change your dosage instructions or assign you a different one. Most experts agree that sleep aids should not be used long-term. Sleeping pills are best used for short-term stressors, jet lag, or similar sleep problems.
There is limited evidence on the safety and efficacy of using sleep aids for more than four weeks, but some studies have found that daily use of sleep aids may be linked to a higher risk of mortality. Sleep aids may also affect sleep stages , with corresponding effects on sleep quality.
Many people develop a tolerance to sleep aids, meaning they need higher doses of the drug over time to get the same effects. This may be accompanied by addiction or withdrawal symptoms, including rebound insomnia, anxiety, irritability, or strange dreams. For people with insomnia that resists other forms of treatment, doctors may give you prescription sleeping medication to be taken regularly. To lower the risk of developing tolerance or addiction, doctors may prescribe these long-term sleep aids for only a few nights a week.
OTC sleep aids are not intended for long-term use. Many people use sleeping pills with no major problems. However, virtually all sleep aids currently on the market do come with potential side effects , such as next-day grogginess, nausea, and headaches.
Taking the lowest dose possible may help limit these side effects. Physicians also suggest people avoid taking sleep aids on nights before they may need to make big decisions. More rarely, you may experience more serious effects. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:. Overdosing on certain sleep aids can lead to delirium, impaired breathing and circulation, and death.
Sleep aids may have additional risks for those with other medical or mental disorders, people who are taking other medications at the same time, and people with health conditions such as kidney disease, liver problems, low blood pressure, breathing difficulties, arrhythmia, or seizures.
Women and older adults tend to metabolize medicine slower, so they usually require lower doses. As there is limited research on the effects of sleep aids while pregnant or breastfeeding, it is generally recommended for pregnant women to avoid taking these medications.
Some evidence suggests they may carry risk of harm to a developing fetus. Older adults are more vulnerable to side effects and injuries from falls , so care should be taken to prevent alertness and balance problems when taking sleep medications. Some sleep aids may also contribute to dementia.
Very few studies have been conducted on the use of sleep medication for children, and most experts advise against using sleep aids in this age group. Among the different families of sleep medications , newer medications are generally considered safer than older ones.
However, the safest sleep aid for each individual will depend on their age, health, and other personal factors:. Many people assume OTC sleep aids are the safest sleep medications because they are available without a prescription.
However, OTC sleep aids may still have serious side effects. Moreover, medications and herbal supplements that are not approved for insomnia by the FDA may carry additional risks. It is strongly advised to consult a doctor before using OTC medications or natural sleep aids.
Danielle writes in-depth articles about sleep solutions and holds a psychology degree from the University of British Columbia. He is board-certified in psychiatry as well as sleep medicine. Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder marked by excessive daytime sleepiness EDS , which can cause significant health consequences for children, teens,…. Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that affects one in 2, Americans.
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