Zopicare10 mg

• Helps reduce the time required to fall asleep

• Reduces repeated waking during the night

• Supports more continuous sleep

• Helps manage short-term severe insomnia

• Begins working shortly after the bedtime dose

• Can improve sleep during a short, medically supervised course

These benefits depend on correct prescribing and short-term use. Increasing the dose does not provide safer or better sleep and raises the risk of excessive sedation, breathing problems and unusual sleep behaviour.

Zopicare works by increasing the calming effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a natural chemical messenger in the brain. GABA reduces excessive activity between nerve cells.

By strengthening this calming signal, zopiclone slows brain activity and produces drowsiness. This helps the body fall asleep faster and remain asleep for longer periods.

The medicine treats the symptoms of insomnia but does not remove its underlying cause. Sleep problems that continue after the prescribed treatment period require further medical assessment.

The commonly authorised zopiclone dose for adults is 7.5 mg taken once immediately before bedtime. Older adults and people with liver, kidney or breathing problems are commonly started on 3.75 mg. Zopiclone must not be taken more than once during the same night.

Therefore, Zopicare 10 mg should not be presented as a standard recommended dose for insomnia. It contains more zopiclone than the usual authorised maximum adult dose of 7.5 mg and should only be taken when a qualified healthcare professional has specifically prescribed this strength.

Common Side Effects

Common effects include a bitter or metallic taste, dry mouth, headache, dizziness, tiredness and drowsiness the following day. Some people also experience reduced concentration, poor coordination or difficulty remembering events after taking the medicine.

Serious Side Effects

Obtain urgent medical help for slow or difficult breathing, extreme drowsiness, fainting, severe confusion, facial or throat swelling, or loss of consciousness. Stop the medicine and contact the prescriber immediately after sleepwalking, sleep-driving, preparing food, making calls or performing another activity while not fully awake. Hallucinations, aggressive behaviour, worsening depression or thoughts of self-harm also require urgent medical attention.

Zopicare 10 mg should not be taken without specialist approval when any of the following applies:

• Respiratory failure

• Severe liver disease

• Myasthenia gravis

• Previous sleepwalking or sleep-driving

• Children under 18

• Pregnancy

• Alcohol or drugs dependence

Older adults and people with kidney, liver or respiratory conditions generally require a lower zopiclone dose rather than a 10 mg tablet.

Tell the doctor or pharmacist about all medicines, supplements and herbal products being taken.

Important interactions include:

• Alcohol

• Opioid painkillers

• Other sleeping tablets

• Anxiety medicines

• Sedating antihistamines

• Antidepressants

• Antipsychotic medicines

• Epilepsy medicines

• St John’s wort

Alcohol, opioids and other sedatives can greatly increase drowsiness and slow breathing. Clarithromycin, erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole and ritonavir can increase the amount of zopiclone in the body. Rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin and St John’s wort can reduce its effect.

Do not combine Zopicare with another sleeping medicine or sedative unless the combination has been specifically prescribed.

• Store in the original packaging.

• Keep in a cool and dry place.

• Keep away from direct sunlight.

• Store out of reach of children.

• Do not share the tablets with anyone.

• Do not use tablets after the expiry date.

• Return unwanted tablets to a pharmacy where disposal services are available.