Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicine including medicines obtained without a prescription. Zopiclone tablets may influence the effect and/or side effects of other medicines. If you see another doctor or go into hospital, particularly if you are having an operation under anaesthesia, tell the doctor which medicines you use.
The following medicines may increase the sedating effect of Zopiclone tablets:
- medicines to treat mental illness (antipsychotics)
- medicines to treat depression
- other sleeping pills
- medicines to treat anxiety and other tranquillizers
- narcotics (strong pain killers) e.g. codeine, morphine
- medicines used to treat epilepsy
- anaesthetics (used during surgery)
- antihistamine medicines which cause sleepiness
- medicines inhibiting liver enzymes e.g. cimetidine, allopurinol, propranolol. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which medicines have this effect.
- erythromycin ( an antibiotic to treat infections).
Taking Zopiclone with alcohol:
Alcohol should not be consumed when taking Zopiclone tablets, as the sedating effect may be increased.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding:
Zopiclone tablets should not be taken during pregnancy. If for urgent medical reasons, Zopiclone tablets are taken during late pregnancy or during labour the baby may have low body temperature or breathing difficulties and show withdrawal symptoms after birth because of physical dependence. If you are planning to become pregnant or suspect you may already be pregnant, do not take Zopiclone tablets and contact your doctor as soon as possible for advice. Zopiclone will appear in breast milk in small amounts, therefore breast-feeding mothers should not take this medicine.
Driving and using machines:
Zopiclone tablets may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Make sure you are not affected before driving or operating machinery, especially if taken with alcohol.