Description
Zopinap (Zopiclone) 20 mg
Zopinap is a branded medicine name that appears to refer to zopiclone, a sedative-hypnotic medicine used for the short-term treatment of insomnia. The product description supplied identifies a 20 mg tablet, but verified regulatory sources for zopiclone products commonly describe lower strengths; the trade-name strength here could not be independently confirmed from official sources.
Active Ingredient and Medicine Class
The verified active ingredient is zopiclone. It is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic, often grouped with the “Z-drugs.” It is structurally distinct from benzodiazepines but acts on related sleep-regulating pathways in the central nervous system.
Established Medical Uses
Zopiclone is established for short-term treatment of insomnia, including difficulty falling asleep and sleep maintenance problems. Official product information describes use in adults with transient, situational, or chronic insomnia when symptoms are severe or distressing. It is not presented in these sources as a long-term continuous treatment.
How It Works
Zopiclone enhances inhibitory signalling in the brain through the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA-A) receptor system, producing a calming and sleep-promoting effect. This reduces sleep latency and can improve sleep continuity.
Important Safety Information
Zopiclone can cause additive central nervous system depression with alcohol and other sedative medicines, and this combination is generally not recommended. Regulatory information also warns about next-day impairment, complex sleep behaviours such as sleep-walking or other activities while not fully awake, and dependence, misuse, and withdrawal reactions, especially with prolonged use or in people with a history of substance misuse. Caution is also advised in patients with depression or other psychiatric illness.
Possible Side Effects
Commonly reported adverse effects include a bitter or unpleasant taste, drowsiness, dizziness, and headache. More serious reactions can include abnormal behaviour, confusion, hallucinations, allergic reactions, complex sleep behaviours, and withdrawal symptoms after stopping treatment.
Scientific Evidence
Peer-reviewed reviews and clinical studies support zopiclone’s short-term efficacy for insomnia, including reduced sleep latency and improved sleep quality. Evidence also suggests that tolerability is generally acceptable in the short term, while longer-term use raises concerns about dependence, rebound insomnia, and abuse potential. More recent reviews note benefits but also emphasize limited high-quality long-term safety data.
Medical Information Notice
This summary is based on sources available at the time of review and is for educational purposes only. It does not replace the official patient leaflet, prescribing information, or individual assessment by a qualified healthcare professional.
Medical Sources
- Medicines.org.uk (emc): Zopiclone 3.75mg film-coated tablets – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)
- European Medicines Agency: Lunivia – EPAR
- Lader M. “Zopiclone: is there any dependence and abuse potential?” J Neurol (1997). PubMed
