Zopiclone

• relaxation,
• euphoriafeelings of joy and happiness,
• sleepiness ².

• amnesiainability to remember,
• depression,
• cognitive impairment (confusiontrouble focusing, slow or disorganised thinking, poor short-term memory, unsure of time or place, or having difficulty following a conversation) ³.

The recommended adult dose of zopiclone ranges from 3.75 mg to 7.5 mg ⁵.

• oral – 10 – 30 minutes ⁶.
• all ROA’sroute of administration - where the drug gets into your body – 15 minutes ⁷.

• oral – 3.5 – 9 hours ⁶.
• all ROA’sroute of administration - where the drug gets into your body – 3.5 – 9 hours ⁷.

• all ROA’sroute of administration - where the drug gets into your body – 1 – 12 hours ⁷.

Zopiclone is a nonbenzodiazepine hypnoticdrugs that induce sleep by their action on the brain. More from the pyrazolopyrimidine class and is indicated for the short-term treatment of insomniadifficulty in going to sleep or in getting enough sleep. While Zopiclone is a hypnoticdrugs that induce sleep by their action on the brain. More agent with a chemical structure unrelated to benzodiazepines, barbiturates, or other drugs with known hypnoticdrugs that induce sleep by their action on the brain. More properties, it interacts with the gamma-aminobutyric acid-benzodiazepine (GABABZ) receptor complex. Subunit modulation of the GABABZ receptor chloride channel macromolecular complex is hypothesised to be responsible for some of the pharmacological properties of benzodiazepines, which include sedativeOne of a diverse group of drugs manufactured for medical purposes to relax the central nervous system. More, anxiolyticDrugs that relieve medically-diagnosed anxiety. More, muscle relaxant, and anticonvulsive effects in animal models. Zopiclone binds selectively to the brain alpha subunit of the GABAGamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in your brain, meaning it slows your brain's functions. GABA is known for producing a calming effect. A omega-1 receptor ¹.

Protein Binding – 45% – 80% ⁷.

Rapidly absorbed following oral administration ¹.

Extensively metabolised in the liver via decarboxylation (major pathway), demethylation, and side chain oxidation. Metabolites include an N-oxide derivative (weakly active; approximately 12% of a dose) and an N-desmethyl metabolite (inactive; approximately 16%). Approximately 50% of a dose is converted to other inactive metabolites via decarboxylation. Hepatic microsomal enzymes are apparently not involved in zopiclone clearance ¹.

Elimination half life is approximately 5 hours (range 3.8 to 6.5 hours) and is prolonged to 11.9 hours in patients with hepatic insufficiency ¹.

Excretion – respiration (~50%) and urine 7% – 10% ⁷.

Zopiclone is capable of resulting in death at extremely high doses and is sometimes used as a method of suicide. It has a similar fatality index as benzodiazepine drugs, apart from temazepam, which is particularly toxiccapable of causing injury or death in overdose ⁶.

LD50the amount of a material, given all at once, which causes the death of 50% (one half) of a group of test animals. The LD50 is one way to measure the short-term poisoning potential (acute toxicity) of a material 2.6411 mol/kg in rats ¹.

Rare individual instances of fatal outcomes following overdose with racemic zopiclone have been reported in European postmarketing reports, most often associated with overdose with other CNS-depressant agent. Signs and symptoms of overdose effects of CNSthe Central Nervous System, upon which certain drugs act depressants can be expected to present as exaggerations of the pharmacological effects noted in preclinical testing ¹.

The toxiccapable of causing injury or death dose of Zopiclone is at 150mg or equivalent to ingesting 20 tablets ⁸.

Zopiclone exerts its action by binding on the benzodiazepine receptor complex and modulation of the GABABZ receptor chloride channel macromolecular complex. Both zopiclone and benzodiazepines act indiscriminately at the benzodiazepine binding site on α1, α2, α3 and α5 GABAA containing receptorsnerve endings that sense changes in the body More as full agonists causing an enhancement of the inhibitory actions of GABAGamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in your brain, meaning it slows your brain's functions. GABA is known for producing a calming effect. to produce the therapeutic (hypnoticdrugs that induce sleep by their action on the brain. More and anxiolyticDrugs that relieve medically-diagnosed anxiety. More) and adverse effects of zopiclone ¹.

• muscle relaxation,
• motor control loss,
• respiratory depressionslowing the drive and effectiveness of breathing More,
• sedationthe state of being relaxed or sleepy because of a drug More,
• dizziness ⁶.

• amnesiainability to remember,
• anxiety suppression,
• disinhibition,
• emotion suppression,
• information processing suppressioncan be described as a partial to complete suppression of a person's ability to process information and logically analyse a situation in an understandable and linear fashion. This is something which can result in states of stupor, indecisiveness, confusion and even irrational behaviour or delirium. More,
• thought deceleration ⁶.

• drifting,
• acuity suppression,
• external hallucinationsbest described as the experience of perceiving imagined visual concepts and occurrences which display themselves seamlessly into the external environment as if they were actually happening. More ⁶.

• a bitter or metallic taste in your mouth,
• a dry mouth,
• daytime sleepiness ¹⁰.

• helps with insomniadifficulty in going to sleep or in getting enough sleep/sleep,
• euphoriafeelings of joy and happiness and/or dysphoriaexperiencing little or no joy in their life ¹¹.

• hallucinationswhere someone sees, hears, smells, tastes or feels things that don't exist outside of their mind, through all physical senses, of varying intensity,
• increased appetite,
• increased or decreased libido,
• uninhibited extroversion in social or interpersonal settings ¹¹.

• headaches (mostly withdrawal symptom),
• nausea (mostly withdrawal symptom),
• vomiting (mostly withdrawal symptom),
• dizziness,
• anterograde amnesiarefers to loss of memory for events after an incident, in this case, a drink that has been 'spiked'. More,
• delusions,
• altered thought patterns,
• ataxialoss of motor coordination More or poor motor coordination, difficulty maintaining balance,
• increased impulsivity (mostly withdrawal symptom),
• when stopped, rebound insomniadifficulty in going to sleep or in getting enough sleep may occur,
• impaired judgment and reasoning ¹¹.

Overdose – this risk is increased if used with alcohol, opiates or other sedativeOne of a diverse group of drugs manufactured for medical purposes to relax the central nervous system. More / depressant substances, risk of coma and death. Zopiclone may interact with a number of other medicines ².

Dependence, risk of coma and death. Research has shown that, even at prescribed doses, prolonged use of zopiclone may cause cancer that may affect the brain, lung, bowel, breast and bladder. Zopiclone can also have an adverse effect on the immune system increasing the risk of infections and colds, and is not recommended for people with liver or kidney disease, or women who are pregnant or breast-feeding ².

Abrupt cessation of zolpidem consumption is not recommended. Depending on how long and how much zolpidem has been consumed, quitting cold turkey can lead to the development of severe side-effects such as seizuresthe outward effect can vary from uncontrolled jerking movement (tonic-clonic seizure) to as subtle as a momentary loss of awareness More. It is highly recommended that people take a step-down approach to stopping their use of the drug.

The primary treatment option for zolpidem addiction is gradual dose reduction over a long period of time. This method minimises withdrawal symptoms so the person can safely stop using the prescription medication. An inpatient zolpidem addiction treatment centre may be the best place to use this method because the person will have limited access to the drug.

However, this method of treatment is not right for every person. Another option is to gradually transition to a benzodiazepine drug and then begin the dose reduction method. Withdrawal symptoms may be less acute when stepping down from the benzodiazepine drug.

For treatment-resistant or difficult-to-treat patients, rapid detox using a drug called flumazenil may be required. Using this method, the withdrawal process is completed in seven days. This drug may cause withdrawal symptoms to be significantly reduced or absent. However, this drug has been found to induce seizuresthe outward effect can vary from uncontrolled jerking movement (tonic-clonic seizure) to as subtle as a momentary loss of awareness More in 1% to 3% of patients. There may also be other disadvantages to using this treatment method. It is best to speak with a knowledgeable professional about the pros and cons of using flumazenil for zolpidem addiction treatment.

Detoxifying from zolpidem is essential to achieving sobriety and avoiding relapse. The body must purge the drug and associated toxins from its system in order to begin functioning normally again. Although it can take only days to become addicted to zolpidem, it can take several weeks to a few months to get through the zolpidem detox process.

Zolpidem rehab centres may employ additional therapies that can assist in the detoxification process. These therapies may include putting you on a special diet, engaging alternative medicines like acupuncture, and prescribing cognitive-behavioural therapy. It is best to work closely with an addiction specialist to develop a zolpidem addiction treatment plan that is right for you ⁹.

Zolpidem treatment facilities will work on helping you overcome your physical and psychological addiction to the drug. Of the two, physical addiction is often the easiest problem to address. Psychological addiction can be more challenging to overcome because of the emotional attachment you may have to taking the drug. Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your zolpidem addiction treatment ⁹.

• find the right treatment centre – It is important to pick a treatment centre that addresses your individual needs and wants. The more comfortable you are with the facility, the more likely you will complete the programme,
• participate fully in the treatment – You are likely to have many thoughts and feel a variety of emotions regarding your addiction. Some of these thoughts and feelings may inhibit your participation in the zolpidem addiction treatment. However, you are responsible for your sobriety. If you want to successfully live as a sober person, you must participate fully in your recovery and get the knowledge and life skills needed to stay clean,
• participate in aftercare programs – Getting through zolpidem rehab is the easy part. The real challenge comes when you return to your life and try to live as a sober person. However, people who have strong support networks are less likely to relapse. Look for aftercare programmes you can join that will help you maintain your new lifestyle. Twelve-step programmes like Narconon can be a reliable source of continuing education and support,
• don’t be afraid to ask for help – If you find you are struggling with a certain aspect of your zolpidem addiction treatment or having difficulty assimilating back into society, reach out for help. No man is an island, and every person needs a helping hand at one point or another. Reach out to your support network when you are struggling. That is what it is there for ⁹.

When it comes to zolpidem addiction treatment, you get out of it what you put into it. If you work hard and remain focused on the goal of kicking your addiction to zolpidem, you will be successful ⁹.