Zopiclone (Systemic)

Brand Names : Imovane

Before Using This Medicine

Sleep medicines may cause a special type of memory loss or ``amnesia''. When this occurs, a person does not remember what has happened during the several hours between use of the medicine and the time when its effects wear off. This is usually not a problem since most people fall asleep after taking the medicine. In most instances, memory problems can be avoided by taking zopiclone only when you are able to get a full night's sleep (7 to 8 hours) before you need to be active again. Be sure to talk to your doctor if you think you are having memory problems.

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For zopiclone, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to zopiclone. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Zopiclone has not been studied in pregnant women. In studies of pregnant animals that received doses of zopiclone many times the human dose , fewer offspring survived. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding - Zopiclone passes into breast milk and may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies. It may be necessary for you to take another medicine or to stop breast-feeding during treatment. Be sure you have discussed the risks and benefits of the medicine with your doctor.

Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of zopiclone in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults - Confusion, lack of coordination, and falling are more likely to occur in the elderly, who are usually more sensitive than younger adults to the effects of zopiclone.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking zopiclone, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:

• Other central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that cause drowsiness) or
• Tricyclic antidepressants (medicines for depression) - The CNS depressant effects of either these medicines or zopiclone may be increased, possibly leading to unwanted effects

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of zopiclone. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Alcohol abuse (or history of) or
• Drug abuse (or history of) - Dependence on zopiclone may develop

• Emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, or other chronic lung disease or
• Mental depression or
• Myasthenia gravis or
• Sleep apnea (temporary stopping of breathing during sleep) - Zopiclone may make these conditions worse

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease (severe) - Higher blood levels of zopiclone may result, increasing the chance of side effects