Zopiclone extreme warning

Treatment and medication
1

Hi folks.

I realise others have posted about this terrible drug, well I wanted to share my own experience with you.

I got a box of these as I were led to believe they were non-addicting compared to valium. My doctor had given me a small supply, but I bought another box online (very stupid, I know).

I was taking them every other day for about a month, maybe 6 weeks.

Sleep was great, my insomnia seemed cured. I developed a brutal headache though toward the end, which no painkiller could help - not even Codeine. Doctors were baffled.

I started crying inexplicably one afternoon.. what was going on? I made the connection around then. I had become horribly addicted to this stuff and the next day headache were withdrawal symptoms.

Well I stopped taking them immediately, again BIG mistake. What followed was perhaps the darkest and lowest point in my life.

For the next few weeks I had the sweats, irritability was through the roof, I was very sensitive to loud or sharp noises. I was getting about 4 hours sleep a night. I was stressed beyond belief. I was crying all the time (totally un-like me). 

Out of desperation I took another half two weeks later and the symptoms almost lifted completely. Such a relief, I really had no idea how far down the rabbit hole I had gone. I had my life back, I could sleep and laugh again! A short lived relief, however as about 36 hours later BOOM back to the shivers of a dreaded cold sweat withdrawal.

It's been very, very slow progress since (about 10 weeks since the last dose). I am getting more sleep, but nothing like the sleep I was getting before this horrible experience began. My appetite has returned, but the depression lingers (although it is not nearly as severe).

Some evidence online suggests I could be experiences this awful feelings for another year or two. Oh Joy!

For the love of god, do not take this poison. How the ■■■■ it is approved for medicinal use is beyond me. Be very careful out there

Keywords: Zopiclone, Imovane, depression, anxiety, sleep, suicide, stress zopiclone headache

2

Darren,

Whilst I empathise with your feelings regarding your experience of this medication, I do find it somewhat disturbing when people refer to POM as poison etc. many people use this site as a source of information and while you are brave to share your own experience, you should bare in mind the effect it could have on others.

You were obviously prescribed this medication and if your GP did not warn you of how addictive they were I would be surprised. Most GPs now are Cautious of prescribing sleeping tablets for this very reason. The fact you then purchased more online rather than getting them from you GP also is worrying. A more interesting story for you to share would be the problems that led to your needing the medication and what positive steps you took to resolve these problems while the medication took some of the load off.

I apologise if this reply seems somewhat harsh, this is not my intention, however, as I take this medication I have an interest in how it affects others. I hope that you have found some stability now and please keep me updated on your progress.

Regards

David

3

I am usure what you mean by POM.

I was led to believe they were less addictive than Benzos by my GP.

I am sorry David but I could not disagree with you more, this stuff is simply awful and people need to be warned.

Good luck trying to get off it.

4

Darren,

POM is Perscription Only Medication, you are not supposed to have it unless prescribed it by a GP etc. Alas Zopiclone is the least of my medication worries, as is the diazepam lol.

5

Ordering online I know is an extremely bad idea. I would discourage any others to do the same as these should be administered under the care of a professional.

By way of explanation, the initial 5 seemed absolutely fine with no side effects and I really did not want to go back to the surgery and beg for more.

You are going to need a very long taper I image to get off both of these drugs

6

I should also add that never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined a drug could induce withdrawals lasting 10 times the original dosage length

7

Hi Darren, I too sympathise with your experience taking this medication. however, I disagree with the addiction theory. I have been taking zoplicone for around 6 yrs on and off due to the fact I sometimes I find it impossible to drop off to sleep. This has caused extreme anxiety, depression and worryingly high blood pressure. I have tried just about every thing to get a  Decent nigh sleep, but in the end zoplicone has been my life saver. Sometimes I fall asleep naturally, sometimes I don't, I take each night as it comes. When I do have to take one, I have never had to take more than 3.75mg. Insomnia is the worst thing I have ever experienced, but I have to keep positive for the future

8

If you were only taking them every other day, for such a short period, I am baffled that you had such serious side efffects.   Never heard of this before.

 

9

Sorry to hear about your terrible insomnia. I was taking 7.5mg

10

There are plenty of similar anecdotal stories online, even on this site.

It also says everywhere you shouldn't be taking them for more than 10 days

11

Yes, i have read all the horror stories surrounding this drug. However, I have weighed up the fact that insomnia carries much more detrimental effects on health than taking zoplicone. I accept that in a perfect world I would not be taking it at all, but I have to hold down a job and look after my family. Without zoplicone I would have neither. 

12

That's your personal choice and I would defend it till the end.

My warning is really aimed at people thinking of trying it. There are better medications out there. Zolpidem for one.

Even Diazepam withdrawals were far more tolerable than Zopiclone withdrawals for me.

13

Hi Darren,

               After taking them for close to 8 years now im fully addicted, i no they are meant to be short term use, but the doctor, and not just one reckon i will need them for life, funny thing is i slept like a baby until given prozac to take, which by the way i only took for 6 weeks, my sleep was effected big time from prozac and ever since then my sleep or lack of it is sh*t.

14

I am trying to get off them also  was on 7 (7.5) a night but now down to 2.  last few nights have been taking 1.  I must be lucky because have had no experiences as others have had and been on them for years.  I do know of the addiction and was afraid of coming down but have been weaning down to as I said one and no withdrawal symptoms at all exccept not a full nights sleep but can put up with that.  Good luck.

15

So glad to hear you are doing so well! Gives the rest of us hope

16

Hi David, I was prescribed these by GP with no warnings whatsoever. Not keen on taking any mess anyway, but having to take steroids which prevent me sleeping so zoplicane prescribed to counteract with no warning. Historically I have had addiction problems-many years ago due to prescribed meds Lorezepam again with no warnings & after that alcohol  when I lost faith in doctors. I have been 'clean' fnof many years & am very careful what drugs I take-basically as few as I can. I find your faith that doctors would give warnings touching, but trust me few do. You have to be your own ate keeper & do your own research. Against my better judgement & GP's insistance I took one of these tablets & the effects were so horrid I won't take another. I slept for nearly2;4 hrs accompanied by visions, nightmares etc. also felt dreadful the next day. Hats off to anybody who can take these & go to work the next day, I couldn't. Think if I had taken two( which was a choice) I might not have woken up again. Lesson learnt again for me. Best Wishes Laura 

17

Never heard of such violent effects.   You must be allergic to Zopiclone. 

18

I thought Zolpidem was anotheer name for Zopiclone

19

I'm generally not good with meds William, which is why I try to avoid as much as poss. Recently had horrendous allergic reaction to Codeine & I seem to be getting more sensitive with age. Unfortunately after being pretty healthy most of my life, I now have a condition that orthodox medicine can only treat with chemo. I know I can't take it, so trying to stick to alternatives until the steroids.trust me, my reaction was bad & that was only 3.75 mg. we all different. 

regards

Laura.

20

Hi Laura,

It does seem that they affect different people in different ways, I have been taking them every night for three months with no side effects.