Alfentanil
Severe
Textbook
Increased rates of accidental overdose and death.
Caution is advised, especially for patients with a history of drug abuse.
Source: G&G 14e
Drug reference
Zopiclone
Benzodiazepine · Hypnotic
BenzodiazepineHypnotic
CDSCO approvedSchedule H
EXCRETION
—
not curated
INTERACTIONS
12 major
SEVERE in our sources
PREGNANCY
—
not curated
Top interactionssee all 12 →
- AlfentanilSevereTextbookG&G 14e
- BuprenorphineSevereTextbookG&G 14e
- CodeineSevereTextbookG&G 14e
- FentanylSevereTextbookG&G 14e
Mechanism
Zopiclone is a cyclopyrrolone (non-benzodiazepine) hypnotic that binds to the GABA-A receptor at a site close to but distinct from the benzodiazepine binding site. Although structurally different from benzodiazepines, it produces similar enhancement of GABAergic inhibition. Its S-enantiomer (eszopiclone) is the pharmacologically active form. Zopiclone has intermediate duration of action (half-life ~5 hours) and characteristically causes a metallic/bitter taste as a side effect.
Indications
short term (< 2 weeks) treatment of insomniato wean off insomniacs taking regular BZD medication
Dosing
- Adult
- separate dose, total quantity, etc); . for liquids, the total volume in millilitres (in both words and figures) of the preparation to be supplied; for dosage units (tablets, capsules, ampoules), state the total number (in both words and figures) of dosage units to be supplied (e.g. 10 tablets [of 10 mg] rather than 100 mg total quantity); . the dose, which must be clearly defined (i.e.…
- Geriatric
- 3.75 mg
Pharmacokinetics
Duration
Some degree of next morning impairment can occur
Half-life
5–6 hours
Side effects
Common
metallic or bitter after-tasteimpaired judgement and alertnesspsychological disturbancesdry mouthmilder dependence
Drug interactions
Buprenorphine
Severe
Textbook
Increased rates of accidental overdose and death.
Caution is advised, especially for patients with a history of drug abuse.
Source: G&G 14e
Codeine
Severe
Textbook
Increased rates of accidental overdose and death.
Caution is advised, especially for patients with a history of drug abuse.
Source: G&G 14e
Fentanyl
Severe
Textbook
Increased rates of accidental overdose and death.
Caution is advised, especially for patients with a history of drug abuse.
Source: G&G 14e
Hydrocodone
Severe
Textbook
Increased rates of accidental overdose and death.
Caution is advised, especially for patients with a history of drug abuse.
Source: G&G 14e
Methadone
Severe
Textbook
Increased rates of accidental overdose and death.
Caution is advised, especially for patients with a history of drug abuse.
Source: G&G 14e
Methylnaltrexone
Severe
Textbook
Increased rates of accidental overdose and death.
Caution is advised, especially for patients with a history of drug abuse.
Source: G&G 14e
Morphine
Severe
Textbook
Increased rates of accidental overdose and death.
Caution is advised, especially for patients with a history of drug abuse.
Source: G&G 14e
Nalmefene
Severe
Textbook
Increased rates of accidental overdose and death.
Caution is advised, especially for patients with a history of drug abuse.
Source: G&G 14e
Naloxone
Severe
Textbook
Increased rates of accidental overdose and death.
Caution is advised, especially for patients with a history of drug abuse.
Source: G&G 14e
Naltrexone
Severe
Textbook
Increased rates of accidental overdose and death.
Caution is advised, especially for patients with a history of drug abuse.
Source: G&G 14e
Other Cns Depressants
Severe
Textbook
Typically fatal if combined in overdose.
Use with extreme caution; avoid if possible.
Source: G&G 14e
Related guidelines
Functional (psychogenic non-epileptic) seizures
AAN · Neurology · 2026
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RNTCP · Pulmonology · 2025
Initial monotherapy for newly diagnosed epilepsy
IAN · Neurology · 2023
Latent tuberculosis infection
RNTCP · Infectious Disease · 2023
Primary headache disorders
NICE · Neurology · 2021
Other Benzodiazepine drugs
Ask House about Zopiclone
Continue into a citation-backed clinical answer with the drug context already attached.
Sources: KD Tripathi 7e, BNF·Verified: 2026-05-13 · House clinical team