Reactions 1506, p2 - 21 Jun 2014 Next-day effects of zopiclone In the June 2014 issue of the Prescriber Update newsletter, New Zealand’s Medsafe recommends that patients taking zopiclone should be warned that their ability to drive or operate dangerous machinery may be impaired the next day. Oral zopiclone 7.5 mg shortly before bedtime is indicated for the treatment of insomnia in adults. In older people, the initial dose is reduced to 3.75 mg because of poorer metabolism and taking a full dose will increase the risk of next-day impairment in these patients. A pooled analysis of four placebo-controlled studies showed that zopiclone 7.5 mg caused a significant impairment of driving performance for at least 11 hours after administration, irrespective of sex and age. The Centre of Adverse Reactions Monitoring (CARM) has also received several reports of psychomotor impairment (such as impaired concentration, sleepiness, headache and hangover) experienced within 24 hours of taking zopiclone. Simultaneous intake of even a small quantity of alcohol is known to further impair the driving ability. Medsafe also reminds prescribers that zopiclone should not be taken for more than 4 weeks. A similar recommendation has also been made for zolpidem, another drug indicated for the treatment of insomnia. * * see Reactions 1493 p2-3; 803100512 Medsafe. Zopiclone and next-day impairment. Prescriber Update 35: 27, No. 2, 6 Jun 2014. Available from: URL: http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/PUArticles/ June2014ZopicloneAndNextDayImpairment.htm 803104855 1 Reactions 21 Jun 2014 No. 1506 0114-9954/14/1506-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2014 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved

Next-day effects of zopiclone

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Reactions 1506, p2 - 21 Jun 2014

Next-day effects of zopicloneIn the June 2014 issue of the Prescriber Update

newsletter, New Zealand’s Medsafe recommends thatpatients taking zopiclone should be warned that theirability to drive or operate dangerous machinery may beimpaired the next day.

Oral zopiclone 7.5 mg shortly before bedtime isindicated for the treatment of insomnia in adults. Inolder people, the initial dose is reduced to 3.75 mgbecause of poorer metabolism and taking a full dose willincrease the risk of next-day impairment in thesepatients. A pooled analysis of four placebo-controlledstudies showed that zopiclone 7.5 mg caused asignificant impairment of driving performance for atleast 11 hours after administration, irrespective of sexand age. The Centre of Adverse Reactions Monitoring(CARM) has also received several reports ofpsychomotor impairment (such as impairedconcentration, sleepiness, headache and hangover)experienced within 24 hours of taking zopiclone.Simultaneous intake of even a small quantity of alcoholis known to further impair the driving ability. Medsafealso reminds prescribers that zopiclone should not betaken for more than 4 weeks.

A similar recommendation has also been made forzolpidem, another drug indicated for the treatment ofinsomnia.*

* see Reactions 1493 p2-3; 803100512

Medsafe. Zopiclone and next-day impairment. Prescriber Update 35: 27, No. 2, 6Jun 2014. Available from: URL: http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/PUArticles/June2014ZopicloneAndNextDayImpairment.htm 803104855