Zopiclone and Alcohol: Important Safety Information

Zopiclone and alcohol should not be combined. Alcohol can increase the sedative effects of zopiclone, leading to excessive sleepiness, impaired coordination, difficulty waking and potentially dangerous breathing problems. If you have been prescribed zopiclone, avoid alcohol while taking it and ask a pharmacist or prescriber if you are unsure when it is safe to drink again.

Important: This article is for general information and does not replace advice from a GP, pharmacist or other qualified healthcare professional.

What is zopiclone?

Zopiclone is a prescription-only hypnotic medicine used for the short-term treatment of insomnia in adults. It may be prescribed when a person has significant difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep or returning to sleep after waking.

The medicine reduces activity in parts of the brain involved in alertness and arousal. This can promote sleepiness, but it can also reduce concentration, coordination and reaction speed. Alcohol affects similar areas of the nervous system, so taking both substances together can intensify their effects.

Zopiclone should be used only as prescribed and for the shortest appropriate period. It can cause tolerance, dependence and withdrawal symptoms, even when taken at the recommended dose.

Why should you avoid alcohol with zopiclone?

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. Zopiclone also has a sedative effect. When they are taken together, their effects may be stronger than expected rather than simply adding together.

Combining zopiclone and alcohol may increase the risk of:

• Extreme drowsiness.

• Poor balance and coordination.

• Slower reactions.

• Confusion or unusual behaviour.

• Memory problems.

• Difficulty waking.

• Falls and accidents.

• Slow or shallow breathing.

• Loss of consciousness.

The official patient information for zopiclone warns that alcohol can make a person sleep very deeply and may cause breathing difficulties or make it hard to wake up.

How long should you avoid alcohol?

There is no universal number of hours that is safe for everyone. The effect of zopiclone may continue into the following morning, and alcohol may remain in the body for longer than expected depending on how much you drink and individual factors.

Avoid alcohol for as long as you are taking zopiclone unless your prescriber or pharmacist gives you specific advice. Do not assume that drinking several hours before taking your tablet makes the combination safe.

The risk may be higher if you:

• Take zopiclone late at night.

• Take a higher prescribed dose.

• Sleep for less than seven or eight hours.

• Are older or have increased sensitivity to sedative medicines.

• Have liver or kidney problems.

• Have breathing difficulties or sleep apnoea.

• Take opioids, tranquillisers, antihistamines or other sedating medicines.

• Drink heavily or regularly.

If you are unsure whether alcohol may interact with your medicine, speak with a pharmacist before taking the next dose.

What if you have already mixed them?

If you have taken zopiclone and alcohol together, do not take any more alcohol, zopiclone or other sedating medicines. Stay in a safe place and ask a responsible adult to check on you if you feel unusually sleepy.

Seek urgent medical help if you or someone else:

• Is difficult to wake.

• Has slow, shallow or irregular breathing.

• Becomes unconscious.

• Is severely confused or unsteady.

• Has blue or grey lips or fingertips.

• Has collapsed or cannot respond normally.

Call 999 in an emergency. Do not drive yourself to hospital. If the situation is not immediately life-threatening but you are concerned, contact NHS 111 for advice. Keep the medicine packaging available so healthcare professionals know what was taken and in what amount.

Can alcohol make zopiclone side effects worse?

Yes. Zopiclone may cause side effects such as a bitter taste, dry mouth, dizziness, drowsiness, reduced concentration and memory problems. Alcohol can make these effects more noticeable and can increase the likelihood of accidents.

Drowsiness and next-day impairment

You may still feel tired, slowed down or less alert the next morning. This can affect work, childcare, decision-making and driving. The medicine information states that alcohol may increase zopiclone’s effects and affect the ability to drive or use machinery the following morning.

Do not drive, cycle or operate machinery if you feel sleepy, dizzy, confused or less alert. A full night’s sleep does not guarantee that you are safe to drive if you still feel impaired.

Sleep-related behaviour

Some people taking zopiclone may carry out activities while not fully awake and have little or no memory of them later. Alcohol can increase the risk of unusual sleep-related behaviour. Contact your prescriber if you experience sleepwalking, eating, driving or other complex activities while not fully awake.

Zopiclone and other sedating medicines

Alcohol is not the only substance that can increase the effects of zopiclone. Tell your prescriber or pharmacist about all medicines you take, including non-prescription products and supplements.

Extra caution is needed with:

• Opioid painkillers, such as codeine, morphine, oxycodone or tramadol.

• Other sleeping tablets.

• Tranquillisers and anti-anxiety medicines.

• Sedating antihistamines.

• Some antidepressants and antipsychotic medicines.

• Medicines that cause dizziness or drowsiness.

Combining zopiclone with opioids can increase the risk of sedation, breathing difficulties, coma and death. Never combine these medicines unless your prescriber has specifically assessed the risks and provided clear instructions.

Is non-alcoholic beer safe?

Products labelled “non-alcoholic” may contain small amounts of alcohol, depending on the product and local labelling rules. If you have been told to avoid alcohol with zopiclone, choose alcohol-free alternatives with clearly stated ingredients or ask a pharmacist for advice.

Avoid products that may contain alcohol unexpectedly, including some mouthwashes, cooking products and herbal preparations. The amount may vary, so check the label if this is relevant to you.

What if alcohol is part of your routine?

Tell your prescriber honestly how often and how much you drink. This information helps them assess whether zopiclone is appropriate and whether you may be at increased risk of dependence or side effects.

The risk of dependence may be higher in people with current or previous alcohol misuse or other substance-use problems. This does not mean you cannot receive help for insomnia, but it does mean that your treatment may need closer assessment and monitoring.

Do not suddenly stop heavy alcohol use without medical advice, as withdrawal can be dangerous. If you are concerned about your drinking, speak confidentially with your GP, pharmacist or an appropriate alcohol-support service.

Safe ways to use zopiclone

If zopiclone has been prescribed for you:

• Take only the dose prescribed.

• Take it shortly before bedtime.

• Make sure you can sleep for approximately seven to eight hours.

• Do not take a second dose during the same night.

• Avoid alcohol throughout treatment.

• Do not use recreational drugs or other sedatives.

• Do not share your medicine.

• Do not increase the dose if it seems less effective.

• Do not stop regular treatment suddenly without medical guidance.

• Store it securely and out of reach of children.

Zopiclone is intended for short-term insomnia. If your sleep problem continues, arrange a review rather than continuing treatment without advice.

Frequently asked questions

Key points

Zopiclone and alcohol are not a safe combination. Alcohol can make zopiclone’s sedative effects stronger and increase the risk of impaired coordination, dangerous breathing problems, unusual behaviour and difficulty waking.

Avoid alcohol while taking zopiclone, do not combine it with other sedatives without medical advice and seek urgent help if severe drowsiness or breathing difficulties occur. If you need help with insomnia or alcohol use, speak confidentially with a GP, pharmacist or qualified healthcare professional.