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How To Wean Off Of Zopiclone?
Question: I was prescribed zopiclone 7.5 six years after after I quit problem drinking alcohol. Now I want to quit this but can't sleep at all without it. I have tried diphenhydramine and herbal remedies but doesn't work
Brief Answer:
Gradual tapering of Zopiclone
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Zopiclone is a hypnotic drug that acts by acting GABA receptors in brain. It is related to benzodiazepines drugs but has different receptor action. Zopiclone acts in short time and cause smooth sleep.
Usually it is not advisable to prescribe the drug for more than 4 weeks because of risk of dependence. You have been on this drug since six years and this has made you dependent and discontinuation will cause withdrawal symptoms especially insomnia.
One option to prevent withdrawal is to gradually reduce the doses of zopiclone every 2 weeks and then stop completely at about 6-8 weeks. Reduction of 20-25% dose should be done every two weeks. This is what I usually advise to my patient in my clinic. One and half tablet of 3.75 mg Zopiclone for first two weeks is given to patients and then reduction of doses is done every 2 weeks. Complete cessation is done at about 8 weeks. In this way significant withdrawal syndrome don't occur.
Some individuals don't find it easy in this method so in them instead of Zopiclone, Diazepam is given. Diazepam and Zopiclone are cross-tolerant so tapering becomes easy. Doses of 5 mg of Diazepam is equivalent to 7.5 mg of Zopiclone. So first of all patient is shifted to Diazepam from Zopiclone over about 2 weeks and then gradual tapering of doses of Diazepam can be done. As Diazepam is long acting tapering of this drug is relatively easy. Withdrawal will not occur in both of these methods.
I would advise you to consult your psychiatrist for details of tapering, and discuss what I have mentioned.
Thanks, hope this helps you. Please ask again if you have more uncleared doubts.
Gradual tapering of Zopiclone
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Zopiclone is a hypnotic drug that acts by acting GABA receptors in brain. It is related to benzodiazepines drugs but has different receptor action. Zopiclone acts in short time and cause smooth sleep.
Usually it is not advisable to prescribe the drug for more than 4 weeks because of risk of dependence. You have been on this drug since six years and this has made you dependent and discontinuation will cause withdrawal symptoms especially insomnia.
One option to prevent withdrawal is to gradually reduce the doses of zopiclone every 2 weeks and then stop completely at about 6-8 weeks. Reduction of 20-25% dose should be done every two weeks. This is what I usually advise to my patient in my clinic. One and half tablet of 3.75 mg Zopiclone for first two weeks is given to patients and then reduction of doses is done every 2 weeks. Complete cessation is done at about 8 weeks. In this way significant withdrawal syndrome don't occur.
Some individuals don't find it easy in this method so in them instead of Zopiclone, Diazepam is given. Diazepam and Zopiclone are cross-tolerant so tapering becomes easy. Doses of 5 mg of Diazepam is equivalent to 7.5 mg of Zopiclone. So first of all patient is shifted to Diazepam from Zopiclone over about 2 weeks and then gradual tapering of doses of Diazepam can be done. As Diazepam is long acting tapering of this drug is relatively easy. Withdrawal will not occur in both of these methods.
I would advise you to consult your psychiatrist for details of tapering, and discuss what I have mentioned.
Thanks, hope this helps you. Please ask again if you have more uncleared doubts.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Answered by
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