Zopiclone Dosage

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What is the Ideal Zopiclone Dose?

zopiclone dosage

Just for a little re-cap. 

Zopiclone belongs to the Z-drug class of compounds, amongst them – Zolpidem and Zaleplon.

Z-drugs, such as zopiclone are commonly used for the short-term treatment of insomnia .[1]. 

Key features of zopiclone include:

  • Peak concentration in the bloodstream is between 0.5-2 hours
  • rapid distribution to various bodily tissues
  • distributed to the brain
  • Is metabolised into two main metabolites (small molecules).
  • half-life of around 5 hours
  • typical dose range is 5mg to 7.5mg, daily.
  • was introduced into clinical practice in 1985

So, question you may be asking yourself is “What the best Zopiclone dose?”. 

This can be tricky to determine, since there are so many variables that come into play for each person who takes Zopiclone. 

 

For instance, elderly people may eliminate Zopiclone at a much slower rate, leading to a longer duration of action and so a different dosage may be prescribed by the doctor. 

 

Furthermore, some diets which contain certain foods may alter the metabolism and adsorbtion of Zopiclone. 

The relationship between all of these variables and the differing Zopiclone doses, mean that a “Ideal Zopiclone Dose” may be complicated, and often ill-informed.

Some of the most common human variable which may affect your ideal zopiclone dosage would be:  

  • Age
  • Diet
  • Gender
  • Kidney and liver function
  • obesity 
  • Pre-existing medical problems
  • Race and or ethnicity

Furthermore, other variable concerning zopiclone and how it’s given would be: 

  • Binding of zopiclone to other proteins in the body
  • How zopiclone is cleared, or excreted from the body
  • Properties, such as size, weight of a drug.

Since all of these may be a factor in determining an individual’s ideal dose, it is best left to a healthcare professional to assess the patient and determine a correct dosage regimen. 

Often, when one becomes dependent on a drug it is usually from an individual mis-using zopiclone.

However, there are some examples of the most common Zopiclone doses as described in the literature below.

Zopiclone 3.75mg

zopiclone 3.75mg dosage

A zopiclone dose of 3.75mg is usually suggested, and recommended, as a starting dose. [3]. 

This dose can be incrementally increased up to 7.5mg, but not exceeding this dose.[3]. 

To out this into perspective, a research team sought to figure out the ‘right‘ dose of zopiclone in insomniac patients [4].

The results of this study found thats:

 

a 3.5mg and 7.5mg zopiclone doses showed a decrease of insomnia symptoms [4].

 

However, side effects did occur at higher zopiclone doses, for example 11.25 and 15mg [4].

Zopiclone 7.5mg

zopiclone 7.5mg dosage

Zopiclone, at a dose of 7.5mg, daily, is the recommended dose for people suffering from acute or chronic insomnia. [1]. 

This dose has been suggested to be taken before bed [1]. 

 

A 7.5mg zopiclone dose has also been observed as being more effective than the benzo, triazolam [5]. 

 

In addition, 7.5mg zopiclone dose was effective in inducing sleep latency and sleep induction [5]. 

Short-term clinical studies, with 7.5mg zopiclone, have shown that this dose is unlikely to cause tolerance or next-day (the day after) psychomotor impairment [6].

Zopiclone 15mg

zopiclone 15mg dosage

A 15mg Zopiclone is NOT recommended as a starting dose.

In fact, a 15mg zopiclone dose should only be considered for those with severe or persistent insomnia, and if no response is seen for the lower doses [7]. 

Moreover, several zopiclone withdrawal case-studies have been reported from mis-using or over-prescribing zopiclone.

Dose vs Dosage: Explained

dose vs dosage

It’s easy to come across both terms, however, it is important to know the distinction. 

Zopiclone “Dose”

In medicine, the word dose refers to:

 

“a specific amount of medication that is taken at one time.”

 

So you may take a single dose of Zopiclone 7.5mg, for instance. 

Zopiclone “Dosage”

In contrast, a dosage is:

 

“the amount of a medication, taken over an amount of time.”

 

So for instance, a Zopiclone dosage may refer to the amount, administration, and frequency over a specific time. [8]. 

References

[1] https://drugs-forum.com/data/attachment-files/2009/12/135165_Zopiclone__An_Update_of_its_Pharmacology_Clinical.15.pdf

[2] https://medicines.org.au/files/txpzopic.pdf 

[3] https://www.verywellhealth.com/drug-dose-definition-and-examples-1123989

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2201721 

[5] https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/7fec/96b614b0d2dd14a8009b74e01dc189192b14.pdf

[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12751920 

[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9506247

[8] https://www.verywellhealth.com/drug-dose-definition-and-examples-1123989 

  • UPDATED

    4th May 2020 – date of the last edit to this article.

  • AUTHOR
  • SCIENCE

    This article uses only evidence based information.

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the complex relationship between sleep and mood can also translate into depression over time.

NHS UK

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