zopiclone

AKA

Imovane®, Rhovane®, ACT Zopiclone®, AG-Zopiclone®, Apo-Zopiclone®, Bio-Zopiclone®, Dom-Zopiclone®, JAMP-Zopiclone®, M-Zopiclone®, Mar-Zopiclone®, Mint-Zopiclone®, NRA-Zopiclone®, PMS-Zopiclone®, Priva-Zopiclone®, PRO-Zopiclone®, Riva-Zopiclone®, Taro-Zopiclone®, Teva-Zopiclone® and others

Therapeutic Use [+] Sedative-Hypnotic

HIDE ALL

SHOW ALL

Alcohol

Booze, ethyl or ethanol, adult beverage, brew, brewski, liquor, drink, shot, sauce, rot gut, hooch, giggle juice, moonshine, jello shots, wobbly pop

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Interaction
Zopiclone has the potential to enhance the depressant effects of alcohol such as increasing drowsiness and impairing performance. Zopiclone does not appear to have any clinically significant effects on alcohol and alcohol appears to have only minimal effects on the pharmacokinetics of zopiclone.

Mechanism
The exact mechanism of increased CNS depression is unknown, but it appears that the effects are mainly additive.

Significance
While the severity of the drug interaction is dependent upon the amounts of zopiclone and alcohol consumed, it is still important to warn patients of the potential for a reduction in psychomotor function. They may or may not be aware of their deterioration in skill level and response will vary between individuals. They will likely experience a deterioration in their abilities to operate a vehicle and/or carry out tasks that require mental alertness.

Serious Risk for Harm

Zopiclone and alcohol are both 'CNS depressants', which means they slow the brain. Mixing zopiclone with alcohol may cause slowed breathing, and even death. Zopiclone can cause sleepiness, dizziness and confusion. Alcohol can make this worse, and make it more dangerous to drive or do activities that require alertness and attention.

Think First

If you are depressed, blue, or moody, alcohol is a 'downer' and will make you feel worse.

Tobacco

smokes, butts, cigs, cigars, darts, stogies, cancer sticks, chew, dip

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Interaction
No information currently available.

Unknown Dangers

Unknown dangers.

Caffeine

coffee, java, joe, soda, pop, tea, energy drinks (Red Bull®, Monster®, Rock Star®, Amp®, NOS®, Full Throttle®, 5-hour Energy Drink®, Beaver Buzz®), chocolate, cocoa

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Interaction
Zopiclone appears to antagonize the effects of caffeine. In contrast, caffeine does not appear able to counter the sedative effects of zopiclone as easily.

Mechanism
Opposing CNS effects.

Significance
Caffeine, particularly at high doses, may reduce the sedative effects of hypnotics. This may be useful to counteract any residual sedation on the following morning, but may be disadvantageous at night.

Think First

Consuming caffeine in the afternoon or evening may work against the helpful effects of zopiclone.

Cannabis/ Hash

Marijuana, mary jane, BC bud, blunt, chronic, J, jay, joint, hemp, pot, grass, herb, 420, dope, THC, weed, reefer, ganja, gangster, skunk, hydro, hash oil, weed oil, hash brownies, grease, boom, honey oil, K2, spice, poppers, shatter, budder

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Interaction
As a CNS depressant, zopiclone has the potential to enhance the adverse or toxic effects of other CNS depressants, such as cannabis.

Mechanism
Additive CNS depression.

Significance
It is important to warn patients of the potential for a reduction in psychomotor function when these drugs are taken concurrently. They may or may not be aware of their deterioration in skill level and response will vary between individuals. They will likely experience a deterioration in their abilities to operate a vehicle and/or carry out tasks that require mental alertness.

Serious Risk for Harm

Zopiclone can cause sleepiness, dizziness and confusion. Cannabis can make this worse, and make it more dangerous to drive or do activities that require alertness and attention.

Serious Risk for Harm

Taking cannabis with zopiclone can increase the risk of short-term memory loss after taking zopiclone.

Cocaine/ Crack

coke, snow, flake, nose candy, blow, lady white, stardust, rock, crystal, bazooka, moon rock, tar

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Interaction
The stimulatory effects of cocaine use may directly counteract the hypnotic effects of zopiclone.

Mechanism
Opposing CNS effects.

Significance
Cocaine use should be avoided in patients with insomnia who take zopiclone.

Think First

Using cocaine works against the helpful effects of zopiclone.

Opioids

codeine, Tylenol #3®, cody, meperidine, Demerol®, DXM, dextromethorphan, robo, skittles, morphine, morph, monkey, methadone, bupe, sub, or dollies, oxycodone, Oxycontin®, hillbilly heroin, OxyNeo®, OC, oxy, roxy, percs, fentanyl, Sublimaze®, Duragesic®, china white, hydrocodone, Hycodan®, Vicodin®, suboxone®, buprenorphine, vike, heroin, H, horse, junk, smack, brown sugar, black tar, down, china white, purple drank, W18, carfentanil, elephant tranquilizer, loperamide, lope, lean

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Interaction
As a CNS depressant, zopiclone has the potential to enhance the adverse or toxic effects of other CNS depressants, such as opioids.

Mechanism
The exact mechanism of increased CNS depression is unknown, but it appears that the effects are mainly additive.

Significance
While combined use may be clinically appropriate, monitoring of the patient is advised.

It is important to warn patients of the potential for a reduction in psychomotor function when these drugs are taken concurrently. They may or may not be aware of their deterioration in skill level and response will vary between individuals. They will likely experience a deterioration in their abilities to operate a vehicle and/or carry out tasks that require mental alertness.

Serious Risk for Harm

Zopiclone and opioids are both 'CNS depressants', which means they slow the brain. Zopiclone can cause sleepiness, dizziness and confusion. Opioids can make this worse, and make it more dangerous to drive or do activities that require alertness and attention.

Amphetamines/ Stimulants

uppers, ecstasy, E, X, Molly, mesc, XTC, love drug, MDA, MDE, Eve, MDMA, adam, disco biscuit, bennies, black beauties, Dexedrine®, Adderall®, dexies, Ritalin®, speed, crystal, meth, ice, glass, crank, tweak, cat, qat, kat, khat, bath salts, Ivory Wave, Vanilla Sky, Cloud 9

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Interaction
The stimulatory effects of stimulants use may directly counteract the hypnotic effects of zopiclone.

Mechanism
Opposing CNS effects.

Significance
Stimulant use should be avoided in patients with insomnia who take zopiclone.

Think First

Using amphetamines/stimulants may work against the helpful effects of zopiclone.

Phencyclidine/ Ketamine

PCP, angel dust, PeaCe Pill, rocket fuel, love boat, embalming fluid, elephant tranquilizer, hog, illy, wet, wet stick, dipper, toe tag, cadillac, snorts, or surfer, Special K, vitamin K, CVR, cat tranquilizer, cat valium, jet, kit kat, Ketalar®

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Interaction
KETAMINE: As a CNS depressant, zopiclone has the potential to enhance the adverse or toxic effects of other CNS depressants, such as ketamine.

PHENCYCLIDINE: No information currently available.

Mechanism
KETAMINE: Additive CNS depression.

Significance
KETAMINE: It is important to warn patients of the potential for a reduction in psychomotor function when these drugs are taken concurrently. They may or may not be aware of their deterioration in skill level and response will vary between individuals. They will likely experience a deterioration in their abilities to operate a vehicle and/or carry out tasks that require mental alertness.

Serious Risk for Harm

KETAMINE: Zopiclone can cause sleepiness, dizziness and confusion. Ketamine can make this worse, and make it more dangerous to drive or do activities that require alertness and attention.

Unknown Dangers

PHENCYCLIDINE: Unknown dangers.

LSD/ Hallucinogens

acid, blotter, cartoon acid, hit, purple haze, trip, white lightning, raggedy ann, sunshine, window-pane, microdot, boomers, buttons, mesc, peyote, salvia, morning glory seeds, flying saucers, licorice drops, pearly gates, magic mushrooms, shrooms

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Interaction
No information currently available.

Unknown Dangers

Unknown dangers.

Benzodiazepines

benzos, downers, tranquilizers, tranks, Ativan®, Halcion®, Klonopin®, Rivotril®, Restoril®, Serax®, Valium®, Xanax®, Rohypnol® (roofies, rope, the forget or date rape pill)

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Interaction
As a CNS depressant, zopiclone has the potential to enhance the adverse or toxic effects of other CNS depressants, such as benzodiazepines.

Mechanism
The exact mechanism of increased CNS depression is unknown, but it appears that the effects are mainly additive.

Serious Risk for Harm

Mixing zopiclone with benzodiazepines can result in increased side effects like severe sleepiness, dizziness, and confusion. It will make it more dangerous to drive or do activities that require alertness and attention.

Think First

Doctors sometimes prescribe benzodiazepines to patients taking zopiclone to help treat some illnesses, but this is done very carefully.

Think First

Benzodiazepines are 'downers'. If you are depressed, blue, or moody, benzodiazepines can make this worse.

References

[+]

Baxter K, ed. Stockley's Drug Interactions [online]. London: Pharmaceutical Press. 2021; May 24, 2021.

Kuitunen T, Mattila MJ, Seppala T. Actions and interactions of hypnotics on human performance: single doses of zopiclone, triazolam and alcohol. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 1990; 5: 115-30.  [PubMed Citation]

Lexi-Comp ONLINE, Lexi-Comp ONLINE Interaction Analysis, Hudson, Ohio: Lexi-Comp, Inc.; 2021; May 24, 2021.

Mattila ME, Mattila MJ, Nuotto E. Caffeine moderately antagonizes the effects of triazolam and zopiclone on the psychomotor performance of healthy subjects. Pharmacol Toxicol 1992; 70: 286-9.  [PubMed Citation]

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zopiclone

References

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