Does Zopiclone work for everyone?
Have you ever had a night when you went to bed early only to fall asleep when it is almost morning? Did you want to close your eyes or have a good night’s sleep but when you turn to your bedside table, it is already 4:30 AM and you still haven’t had any sleep at all? If this is happening more often and fairly regularly, you may have insomnia.
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that is often characterised by difficulty in sleeping or staying asleep. It can be caused by many external factors like significant and chronic stress in life, normally from job loss or change, the death of a loved one, divorce or many more. Other causes might be health conditions like depression, cancer, asthma, or heartburn.
People with insomnia experience general tiredness, sleepiness during the day, irritability and problems with concentration and memory. But there are medicines that can help you sleep immediately. One of the most recommended medicines is called Zopiclone.
This drug does not work for everyone, but it has been proven to work for the majority of patients who were prescribed to take it. Like all medicines, there are people who are hypersensitive to Zopiclone, or it may not complement other medicine they are taking for other existing medical conditions.
What is Zopiclone and what does it do for you?
Zopiclone is a type of a sleeping pill generally used to treat insomnia immediately. It belongs to a class of medications called sedative-hypnotics and it offers short-term relief for sleep disturbances.
This helps people who generally have difficulty in falling asleep, who frequently wake up in the middle of the night, or who wake up way too early in the morning.
You must take note though that Zopiclone is a prescription-only medication for people who are 18 years old and above. It comes as a tablet or liquid form to help you swallow it better.
One of the major benefits of using Zopiclone is that it helps you achieve a healthier sleeping pattern at night. It helps you fall asleep more quickly and helps you stay asleep throughout the night.
The medicine also increases the activity of the neurotransmitter of the brain called GABA. These neurotransmitters act like natural body chemicals that serve as a natural-calming agent which can help you in reducing your anxiety and relax your mind.
Since Zopiclone is used to regulate your sleeping pattern - added benefits of using Zopiclone include reduction of stress, improvement of memory, maintenance of weight, helps lower blood pressure, reduced chance of diabetes and can regenerate the antibodies that your cells are producing due to complete sleep at night.
How do you take Zopiclone?
As with many medicines, you have to consult your doctor before taking any medication. Zopiclone dosage ranges from 3.75mg to 7mg, but for elderly people who use zopiclone, the maximum dosage is 5mg. This medicine should be taken as directed by your doctor to ensure effectiveness.
This should also be taken for only 7-10 days or for as long as prescribed by your doctor. There is a high risk of drug dependency if you extend the use of Zopiclone. You should likewise talk to your doctor before you stop taking the medicine.
You should also inform your doctor of your medical history, especially if it includes allergies, kidney problems, liver complications, and heart issues. You should NOT take the medicine if it is impossible to achieve a full night’s sleep or mental alertness is needed on the next day because your body will need 12 hours to fully wear off the effects of the medicine.
What are the precautions in taking Zopiclone?
You should always inform your doctor of any medical conditions and allergies you have and are currently experiencing. You should also avoid taking this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding to avoid the adverse effects on the baby.
You should also take note that you cannot drink alcohol while taking in Zopiclone because it increases the risk of severe side effects, which includes difficulty in breathing, severe restlessness and performing activities while not being fully awake.
There are other cases where the medicine has caused behavioural changes, which sometimes includes worsening symptoms of depression. If this happens, contact your doctor immediately. Suicide thoughts or self-harm are also included with aggression in behaviour.
Are there side effects to Zopiclone?
The most commonly known side effects of Zopiclone include agitation, metallic after taste in the mouth, dizziness, appetite changes, and difficulty in speaking.
However, it is required for you to talk to your doctor if you are already experiencing severe side effects like aggression, behavioural changes, increased clumsiness, daytime anxiety or restlessness, laboured breathing, memory problems, signs of depression, sleepwalking, or severe vomiting and seizures.
These side effects differ from one person to another and are not experienced by everyone who takes the medication.
Blog author
Scott Weaver
Scott is an experienced and professional content writer who works exclusively for UK Meds.
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