Zopiclone Facts
Depressant;
Description
Zopiclone is a synthetic hypnotic of the cyclopyrrolone class. It amplifies GABA — the brain's primary calming signal — producing rapid, heavy sedation.
Subjective effects include heavy drowsiness, muscle relaxation, anxiety relief, and memory gaps for events after dosing. The experience is defined by a rapid, weighted descent into sleep and a persistent bitter-metallic taste beginning within minutes — unique among sedatives.[1]
Zopiclone produces physical dependence with regular use, though its dependence potential is lower than benzodiazepines;[2] deaths from zopiclone alone are rare.[3] The primary danger is combination: adding alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines transforms a manageable single-drug overdose into a potentially fatal one.[3]
Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies
Starts in 10 – 30 minLasts 3.5 – 9 hoursAfter-effects 2 – 10 hours
Body and dependence
- Acute toxicity
- Low
- Chronic toxicity
- Moderate
- Physical dependence
- Moderate
- Psychological dependence
- Moderate
- Withdrawal
- Moderate
- Compulsive redosing
- Low
Tolerance
- Builds
- Slow
- Fully resets after
- 10.5 days
- Carries over to
- benzodiazepines;
zolpidem; zaleplon
Effectslikely at a common dose
- Perception
- none likely · 7 possible, including Visual acuity suppression, Spatial disorientation, Vestibular distortion
- Body
- Physical fatigue;
Motor control impairment; Muscle relaxation; Sedation; +7 possible, including Dizziness, Insomnia, Headache - Thinking
- Cognitive impairment;
Focus suppression; +13 possible, including Analysis suppression, Decision impairment, Information processing suppression - Feeling
- Anxiety suppression;
+4 possible, including Anxiety - Self
- none likely · 4 possible, including Communication suppression, Craving
- Time
- none likely · 1 possible, including Temporal disorientation
Who shouldn't take it
Combinations60 recorded
Seek help immediately if
- Extreme drowsiness — can't stay awake or be roused
- Confusion, slurred speech, severe loss of coordination
- Slow, shallow, or irregular breathing
- Unconsciousness / unresponsive; limp, floppy body
- Blue lips or fingertips
- Vomiting while sedated (choking / aspiration risk)
- Cold, clammy skin; weak pulse
What to do
- Try to wake them — shout, firm sternal rub
- If unresponsive or breathing is impaired, call emergency services
- Place them in the recovery position — critical, they can choke on vomit
- Monitor breathing continuously; be ready to give rescue breaths / CPR
- Never leave them alone to "sleep it off"
- Do not give other drugs, stimulants, or more depressants
Most depressant overdoses resolve with airway protection, breathing support, and monitoring. The danger is respiratory depression and choking on vomit — sharply worse when combined with opioids or alcohol. GHB/GBL overdoses often involve sudden deep unconsciousness and may self-resolve, but airway protection is essential.
988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE
References
- [1]^Caille G, du Souich P, Spenard J, Lacasse Y, Vezina M (1984) Pharmacokinetic and clinical parameters of zopiclone and trimipramine when administered simultaneously to volunteers — Biopharmaceutics & Drug Disposition PMID:6743780
- [2]^Goa KL, Heel RC (1986) Zopiclone. A review of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties and therapeutic efficacy as an hypnotic — Drugs PMID:2874974
- [3]^abGunja N (2013) The Clinical and Forensic Toxicology of Z-drugs — Journal of Medical Toxicology doi:10.1007/s13181-013-0292-0