Reviewed by the HeyPsych Medical Review Board
Board-certified psychiatrists and mental health professionals
Clinical summary for Zopiclone (Imovane): Zopiclone is a fast-onset sleep medication for short-term insomnia. Take it right before bed only if you can sleep a full night. It can cause a bitter taste, grogginess, dizziness, and memory gaps—and in rare cases, dangerous “complex sleep behaviors” like sleep-walking or sleep-driving. Avoid alcohol and opioids. Don’t use long-term unless benefits clearly outweigh risks and non-med options aren’t working.
People’s sleep meds stories are all over the map, but these themes show up a lot:
Sleep On (Fast)
"It shuts my brain up enough to actually fall asleep."
Zopiclone has a fast onset—so timing matters. Take it right before bed (or only once you’re already in bed), and only if you can sleep a full night.
Zopiclone is used for short-term relief of insomnia—trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early. It’s a symptom-relief tool, not a long-term sleep plan.
Take it by mouth immediately before bedtime (or only once you’re already in bed). Only take it if you can sleep a full night. Don’t take it and then stay up—this increases the chance of memory gaps, weird behavior, and next-day impairment.
Many adults start at 3.75 mg at bedtime as needed. If needed and tolerated, the dose may be increased to 5 mg or 7.5 mg at bedtime. The maximum adult dose is 7.5 mg/day at bedtime.
That bitter/metal taste (dysgeusia) is a known zopiclone side effect and one of the most common reasons people dislike it. It’s annoying but usually not dangerous.
Yes. Next-day impairment can happen—slower reaction time, grogginess, poor coordination—and driving performance may be affected hours after a dose, especially if you took a higher dose, took it late, or didn’t sleep long enough. If you feel even slightly impaired, don’t drive.
Complex sleep behaviors are things like sleep-walking, sleep-driving, eating, phone calls, or sex while not fully awake—often with no memory afterward. These events can cause serious injury or death. If this happens even once, stop zopiclone and contact your prescriber immediately.
No. Alcohol plus zopiclone is a bad combo—sedation and impairment stack fast, and it increases risk of dangerous behaviors and respiratory depression.
This combination is high risk. Concomitant use with opioids can cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. It should be avoided whenever possible and only used with strict medical oversight if there are no alternatives.
Ideally, short-term. If insomnia doesn’t improve after 7–10 days, or if treatment is needed for more than 2–3 consecutive weeks, it’s time for a full reassessment (sleep apnea, anxiety/depression, substances, circadian issues, meds) and a CBT-I plan. Long-term use beyond 4 weeks should be rare and only when benefits clearly outweigh risks.
If you’ve been using it regularly, taper instead of stopping abruptly. A common approach is reducing by about 25% of the original dose each week or every other week (often a step-down of ~1.875–2.5 mg per interval depending on tablet options). Pairing the taper with CBT-I makes the landing much smoother.
Usually not. In older adults, Z-drugs are linked to delirium, falls, fractures, ER visits, hospitalizations, and motor vehicle crashes, while the actual sleep benefit is often small. If it’s used despite that, doses should be lower and capped (often max 5 mg/day), with close monitoring.
It’s generally not recommended. Zopiclone crosses the placenta and is found in breast milk. Exposure can lead to newborn sedation, breathing problems, feeding difficulties, hypotonia, and withdrawal-like symptoms. Short-term use may be considered only in severe, intractable insomnia after careful risk-benefit discussion with your clinician.
This medication information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. Never take medication without a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
This information is for educational purposes. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment.