Description
Zopimaxx (Zopiclone) 20 mg
Zopimaxx is identified by the supplied product name as a zopiclone medicine. Zopiclone is a sedative-hypnotic used for short-term management of insomnia in adults. The strength shown in the product name is included here only for identification; this description is based on verified information about zopiclone as an active ingredient, not on a separate product-specific regulatory record.
Active Ingredient and Medicine Class
The verified active ingredient is zopiclone. It belongs to the cyclopyrrolone group of hypnotic medicines and acts as a central nervous system depressant with sedative properties. It is related to, but chemically distinct from, benzodiazepines.
Established Medical Uses
Zopiclone is established for the short-term treatment of insomnia in adults, including difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. Regulatory product information and clinical reviews describe it as a sleep medicine intended for brief use rather than long-term insomnia management.
How It Works
Zopiclone enhances gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated inhibitory activity in the brain, which reduces central nervous system activity and promotes sleep. This helps explain its hypnotic and sedative effects.
Important Safety Information
Zopiclone should be used with caution because it can cause dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal or rebound sleep problems after stopping. Regulatory information warns against use with alcohol and highlights clinically important interactions with other central nervous system depressants, including opioids, because of increased risk of excessive sedation and respiratory depression. Extra caution is also advised in people with respiratory disease, a history of substance misuse, or severe liver impairment. Some product information also notes reported complex sleep behaviours such as sleepwalking.
Possible Side Effects
Commonly reported adverse effects include a bitter or metallic taste, dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nausea, tiredness, nightmares and next-day impairment. Less common but clinically important reactions include confusion, unsteady movement, hallucinations, abnormal behaviour, respiratory depression, and dependence. Falls and memory or attention problems have also been reported, particularly in older adults.
Scientific Evidence
Peer-reviewed reviews and a recent systematic review report that zopiclone reduces sleep latency and can improve sleep maintenance in adults, with short-term efficacy broadly comparable to other hypnotics. The evidence base also indicates that adverse effects and tolerability limitations, especially bitter taste and CNS effects, are important considerations, and long-term safety remains less certain.
Medical Information Notice
This page is an educational summary based on sources available at the time of review and does not replace the official patient leaflet, prescribing information, or assessment by a qualified healthcare professional.
Medical Sources
- Medicines.org.uk (emc): Zopiclone 7.5 mg film-coated tablets, Summary of Product Characteristics. View source
- Lopez-Gil et al.: “Zopiclone to treat insomnia in older adults: A systematic review.” European Neuropsychopharmacology, 2021. View PubMed article
