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7 Things you should Avoid when taking Zopiclone Zopiclone is a prescription sleeping tablet used for the short-term treatment of insomnia. It works by depressing...
Zopiclone is a prescription sleeping tablet used for the short-term treatment of insomnia. It works by depressing the central nervous system, helping you fall asleep faster and stay asleep through the night. While effective, Zopiclone with alcohol and several other substances can cause serious and potentially life-threatening interactions. Understanding what to avoid while taking Zopiclone is essential for safe use.
As much as the drug is very useful in helping with sleep issues, there are certain things to avoid while under treatment. They may cause significant side effects and interfere with the healing of the condition. Read on to find out what these are:
Zopiclone can increase the effects of alcohol which can lead to intoxication when taken alongside it. It is recommended that patients avoid alcohol while under treatment. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, which means combining it with another depressant increases the risk of side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, sickness, and respiratory depression.
Taking Zopiclone with opioids such as codeine, tramadol or morphine significantly increases the risk of dangerous sedation. Both substances depress the central nervous system, and their combined effect can cause severely slowed breathing, loss of consciousness and in serious cases can be fatal. If you are prescribed an opioid painkiller alongside Zopiclone, speak to your doctor before taking both medications together.
Antihistamines are commonly used to treat allergies, hay fever and skin reactions, but many of them also have a sedative effect. Taking Zopiclone together with sedating antihistamines amplifies the drowsiness caused by both substances.
Sedating antihistamines to avoid while taking Zopiclone include:
The combined sedative effect of these medications with Zopiclone can:
Non-sedating antihistamines such as cetirizine, loratadine and fexofenadine are less likely to cause drowsiness on their own, but it is still advisable to consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking them alongside Zopiclone. If you take antihistamines regularly for allergies, inform your prescriber before starting Zopiclone.
Taking the drug with a tricyclic antidepressant can lead to increased levels of side effects such as confusion, depression, tiredness, dry mouth, and blurred vision. It is also important not to take an antidepressant while under treatment as it lowers the seizure threshold, which increases the risk of seizures. Patients are advised to seek immediate medical attention if they experience worsening seizures, especially if they are under treatment.
Patients are advised to stay away from antipsychotics while taking Zopiclone as they may cause extremely drowsy states or coma-like sleep. Some of the side effects include very slow reaction time and extremely low blood pressure, which can lead to shock, seizures, or respiratory arrest.
Care must be taken when taking Zopiclone with drugs used for diabetes as it can cause low blood sugar leading to weakness, sweating, hunger, and dizziness. Patients are recommended to eat meals regularly while under treatment and should consult their doctor before making any changes to their diet.
Patients are encouraged to follow all precautions when taking the drug and seek immediate medical help if they experience any of the side effects. It is also important to note that pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take Zopiclone as it may adversely affect the baby.
All in all, patients need to find out as much information as possible about this drug and how it affects their bodies to avoid dangerous side effects. If you need more information or professional advice regarding this topic, contact Medsforless.co.uk today. We have pharmacy professionals standing by to provide you with the necessary information.
Zopiclone works best when taken as prescribed and without other sedative substances. If you have any questions about interactions with your current medications, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.