Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Zopiclone. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Zopiclone with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Zopiclone. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• agitation (more common for seniors)
• bitter taste in mouth
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• Dry Mouth
• lightheadedness

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• aggressiveness
• behaviour changes (e.g., excitement, hyperactivity, violent behavior)
• clumsiness or unsteadiness (more common for seniors)
• confusion (more common for seniors)
• daytime anxiety or restlessness
• difficult or laboured breathing
• difficulty with coordination (more common for seniors)
• drowsiness (severe)
• memory problems (more common for seniors)
• shortness of breath
• signs of Depression (e.g., poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, thoughts of suicide)
• sleepwalking
• withdrawal effects (e.g., abdominal cramps, vomiting, sweating, tremor, seizures)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
• thoughts of self-harm or suicide

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Zopiclone.

3.75 mg
Each peach, round, coated tablet, is debossed "Z" over "3.75" on one side of the tablet and plain on the other side contains 3.75 mg of zopiclone. Nonmedicinal ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, dibasic calcium phosphate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, iron oxide red, iron oxide yellow, lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, pregelatinized starch, titanium dioxide.

5 mg
Each white, round, biconvex, film-coated tablet, printed "Z 5" on one side and "P" on the other side, contains zopiclone 5 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: carboxymethylcellulose sodium, cornstarch, dibasic calcium phosphate, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, and titanium dioxide.

7.5 mg
Each blue, oval, biconvex, film-coated tablet, printed "7.5" over "Z" on the scored side and "P" on the other side, contains zopiclone 7.5 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: carboxymethylcellulose sodium, cornstarch, dibasic calcium phosphate, FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Yellow No. 6, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate, and titanium dioxide.

Do not take Zopiclone if you:

• are allergic to zopiclone or any ingredients of Zopiclone
• have Myasthenia Gravis
• have severe breathing difficulties
• have severe liver disease
• have Sleep Apnea

There may be an interaction between zopiclone and any of the following:

• alcohol
• Amiodarone
• anti-anxiety medications (e.g., Alprazolam, Clonazepam, Lorazepam)
• anticonvulsants (medications used to prevent seizures; e.g., Phenytoin, Valproic acid, Carbamazepine, Gabapentin)
• antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, doxylamine, Diphenhydramine, Hydroxyzine, Loratadine)
• antipsychotic medications (e.g., Chlorpromazine, Clozapine, Haloperidol, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• Aprepitant
• azelastine
• "azole" antifungals (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, Voriconazole)
• barbiturates (e.g., butalbital, pentobarbital, Phenobarbital)
• Bosentan
• brimonidine
• Buspirone
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Nifedipine, Verapamil)
• cannabis
• chloral hydrate
• Clonidine
• Cobicistat
• conivaptan
• Dapsone
• Deferasirox
• Dronedarone
• Enzalutamide
• general anesthetics (medications used to put you to sleep for surgery)
• grapefruit juice
• HIV non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs; e.g., delavirdine, efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine)
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., darunavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• kava kava
• lithium
• Lomitapide
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin)
• melatonin
• Methadone
• e
• mifepristone
• Mirtazapine
• Mitotane
• Modafinil
• muscle relaxants (e.g., Baclofen, Cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, orphenadrine, Tizanidine)
• Nabilone
• narcotic or opioid medications (e.g., Codeine, Fentanyl, Morphine, Oxycodone)
• nefazodone
• npramipexole
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• Ropinirole
• Rotigotine
• St. John's wort
• scopolamine
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• siltuximab
• suvorexant
• Tapentadol
• Tetrabenazine
• thalidomide
• Tocilizumab
• tolcapone
• Tramadol
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Amitriptyline, Desipramine)
• tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., Dasatinib, imatinib, Nilotinib, Sunitinib)
• Zolpidem

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Zopiclone. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Zopiclone.

Alcohol use: The use of zopiclone after consuming alcohol increases the risk of severe side effects such as breathing difficulty and performing activities while not being aware or awake. Alcohol should not be consumed if you are taking zopiclone.

Anxiety or restlessness: An increase in daytime anxiety or restlessness has been observed during treatment with zopiclone.

Bad taste in mouth: Zopiclone may cause you to have a coated tongue, bad breath, or a bitter taste in your mouth. These effects often occur when Zopiclone is being used.

Behaviour changes: Zopiclone may worsen symptoms of depression, including thoughts of suicide or wanting to harm others. It may also cause agitated or aggressive behaviour. If you experience these symptoms or any other behaviour change while taking Zopiclone, contact your doctor immediately.

Family members or caregivers of people who are taking Zopiclone should contact the person's doctor immediately if they notice unusual behaviour changes.

Breathing: Sedatives can suppress breathing. If you have Asthma, or other lung disease that increases your risk for breathing difficulties, such as sleep apnea, discuss with your doctor how Zopiclone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Zopiclone, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Confusion: Zopiclone affects mental efficiency (e.g., concentration, attention, and vigilance). The risk of confusion is greater for seniors and those with brain damage.

Depression: Sedative medications have been known to cause mood swings and symptoms of depression. If you have depression or a history of depression or suicidal thoughts, discuss with your doctor how Zopiclone may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Zopiclone, and whether any special monitoring is needed. If you experience symptoms of depression such as poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, or notice them in a family member who is taking Zopiclone contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Zopiclone can cause excessive drowsiness and decreased mental alertness. Do not operate heavy machinery or drive after taking Zopiclone. Wait at least 12 hours after taking Zopiclone before driving or engaging in other activities that require mental alertness.

Kidney function: Kidney Disease or reduced kidney function may cause Zopiclone to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have kidney problems, you may require lower doses of Zopiclone.

Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause Zopiclone to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver problems, you may require lower doses of Zopiclone.

Memory disturbance: Amnesia of varying severity has been reported following normal doses of medications like zopiclone. This effect is rare with zopiclone.

Performing activities while not fully awake: People taking zopiclone may perform activities such as sleepwalking, driving, preparing and eating food, and making phone calls while not fully awake and unaware of their actions. The next morning, they may not remember what happened. This may be more likely to occur if you use alcohol or other sedative medications. If you discover this has happened to you, contact your doctor immediately.

Withdrawal: Zopiclone can become habit-forming. Withdrawal symptoms similar to those occurring with related substances, including alcohol, have been observed after stopping the medication suddenly (after having taken it regularly over a period of time). These symptoms include:

• abdominal cramps
• agitation
• confusion
• Diarrhea
• extreme anxiety
• headache
• irritability
• memory impairment
• muscle pain
• nervousness
• restlessness
• sleep problems such as rebound Insomnia
• tension
• tremors
• vomiting

Pregnancy: The safety of using Zopiclone during pregnancy has not been established. Zopiclone should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Zopiclone, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Zopiclone passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking zopiclone, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of zopiclone have not been established for use by children and adolescents under 18 years of age.

Seniors: People over 65 years of age are more likely to experience dose-related side effects of zopiclone, such as drowsiness, dizziness, or impaired coordination. Using doses that are too high may result in accidents such as falls. Talk to your doctor if you are a senior and are experiencing any of the above side effects.

Zopiclone belongs to the class of medications called sedative-hypnotics. It is used for the short-term and symptomatic relief of sleep disturbances. Zopiclone can help with difficulty falling asleep, frequent wake-ups during the night, or early morning awakenings. Zopiclone should usually not be taken for more than 7 to 10 consecutive days. It should be used only by people for whom disturbed sleep results in problems functioning during the day.

Zopiclone may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Zopiclone may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Zopiclone may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Zopiclone for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Zopiclone, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Zopiclone without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Zopiclone to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Zopiclone if their doctor has not prescribed it.