Zopiclone 7.5 Mg

[Baby_Sham]

Is this supposed to work straight away?
I've been taking it for a couple of nights now, just before I go to bed at ten, but am continuing to wake up at various times during the night.
I seem to be able to go straight back to sleep, but it's still interrupted.

Is it supposed to be instant or do I have to give it time to get into my system?

Thanks.

[anneasquith]

maybe give it a bit more time.

[ummmm]

I would have thought a sleeping drug is intended to work straight away.

[Sqad]

It should work instantly....................no need to give it time.

[ethandron]

When I was prescribed this a few years ago, I was only given fourteen tablets on each prescription. My understanding is that is only to be used short term for sleeping problems so I don't think it's a thing which has to get in to you system to work.
I found the same as you, it didn't knock me out but it did make falling asleep easier, and then falling back to sleep if I woke in the night.
It's very addictive which is why my doctor wouldn't give me more than 14 at a time. I still have four left, had them for years now and they work quite well sitting in my bedside cabinet because I know they're there if I need them :)

[Baby_Sham]

Ok, thanks. Next question then...

Would alcohol affect it? I was told it would "accelerate" the drug and make me feel very drowsy, but now I'm wondering if it could be doing the opposite and stopping it from working?

I did phone my gp surgery this morning and was going to ask if my doctor could call me to discuss this, but he's not in until Tuesday now so I guess I'll just continue with them until then.

[Bbbananas]

It doesn't always work instantly for me. If I take it, but then get distracted by a good book and ignore the floaty feeling, it seems to have little effect. I guess the trick is to take one, wait 15 minutes max, and then put lights out.

To sleep, perchance to dream :-)

[ummmm]

Alcohol

Alcohol can interact with certain medicines.
In the case of Zopiclone:
alcohol increases the sedative effects of Zopiclone
You must not drink any alcohol if you are taking this medicine.

[Bbbananas]

I drink alcohol with it. Just don't overdo it...
The alcohol effects in the early hours cold counteract any of the sleeping pill benefit.

[Sqad]

\\\\Would alcohol affect it? I was told it would "accelerate" the drug and make me feel very drowsy,\\\\

yes it may well do....not a good idea.

\\\\but now I'm wondering if it could be doing the opposite and stopping it from working?\\\

You make a good point.........Zopiclone is a hypnotic and alcohol is a stimulant.

[Bbbananas]

*could*

[anneasquith]

sometimes its about the quality of sleep as opposed to the amount of sleep.

[Baby_Sham]

I'm on a pre-detox program at the moment, so my gp is fully aware that I would be drinking alongside taking these tablets, but I'm just a bit disappointed by the fact I'm still waking up.

Is there perhaps a higher dose he could give me?

I realise he would be the best person to have this discussion with, but as I say, he's not in until Tuesday now and I don't want to have to go through everything again with a random doctor.

Thanks.

[Sqad]

Yes....he could double the dose to 15mgms.

[Baby_Sham]

Brilliant, that's all I needed to know. I can hang back until Tuesday.

Many thanks :-)

[boxtops]

Baby, for many people it's quite normal to wake up during the night, not to sleep straight through. If you are dropping off again ok after waking part-way through the night, that's sounds pretty successful to me. I'd stick with it.

[boxtops]

..and PS baby - as you can't get hold of your local GP, you can always go to the chemist and have an informed chat with the pharmacist. Or... your GP practice WILL have an out of hours GP on call, all over the holiday weekend, if you want to speak to a doctor. It doesn't have to be your own GP, the OOH service will have access to your patient records to see your history.

[jno]

if you're back to sleep straightaway, that's not really "interrupted". Interrupted is when you lie awake for an hour before dropping off again (or not dropping off again at all, which sometimes happens to me). Three minutes awake isn't going to affect the quality of your night's sleep. Is there any reason you're worried about waking up at all during the night? It's pretty normal, on pills or not.

[Baby_Sham]

Yep, fair points made, sorry to sound like a whinge bag.
I am going straight back to sleep, yes. I just didn't expect to wake up in the first place, although I now realise this isn't a big deal.

Thanks :)

[anneasquith]

im pleased you sleep pattern has improved,

[Baby_Sham]

Thanks Anne. I slept really well last night actually, so maybe I was just being a drama queen over nothing! :)

Thanks x