Anyone take Zopiclone?

[Freda]

My daughters just been prescribed it - small dose 3.5mgs to help with her sleeplessness. If she can't nod off she worries about getting up for work and then worries it may bring on a seizure but now is also worried about becoming dependent on it - can't win! onder:

It's a very mild sedative with no residual side effects the next day and I wondered if it's pretty common to be prescribed it. She gets a brilliant nights sleep with it though.

 

[Nakamova]

It's not available here in the U.S., though there is a product with the same active ingredient called Lunesta. A link with comments about Lunesta can be found here: http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=21476&name=LUNESTA&sort=timelength&order=0

Zopiclone is designed for intermittent (rather than daily) use, so she should take it sparingly unless her doctor advises otherwise. Using it too often can decrease its effectiveness (due to tolerance). And it can also be tough to withdraw from. It does have anti-convulsant properties, so it would be interesting if it helps reduce her seizures in as well. Keep us posted!

 

[Freda]

Thanks Nakamona. Yes she is using it as n when she has difficulty sleeping but because she sleeps so well with it it's kinda hard to resist the temptation, although she does know you can become dependant on it and that would be pretty awful. Her neuro said to take it when required and if she's sensible it could be a good standby to have.
I will post if there's any benefit or change in seizures, just wondered if sleeping meds are often used with the condition as sleep deprivation can have a negative effect with epilepsy. I think she feels safer taking it and getting a good nights sleep, like it may help keep seizures at bay.

 

[masterjen]

I tried Zopiclone for a short time as an experiment suggested by my Epileptologist. Even though I don't have insomnia per se, I do have nocturnal seizures which according to my EEG do disrupt my sleep (but often without causing full waking) and he wondered if there could be benefit from taking Zopiclone. Long story short, it did not help the seizures. Since as far as I'm concerned I sleep fine, I don't know if it helped with sleep or not. Because it did not improve seizure activity, the Zopiclone was discontinued.

 

[Freda]

Thanks for your input masterjen. It would seem it hasn't made any difference to Carly's seizures either as she had a Tonic Clonic again yesterday. She does have a sound sleep with it and no waking in the night which is good for her working week and using it sparingly just when she has difficulty nodding off will save her lying awake worrying, if nothing else.

 

[Itr786]

I've been taking zopiclone for a few years. Along with keppra and lamotrigine.

It really helps me doze off. I don't think it sends me into a crazily deep sleep, I do feel a little groggy after waking up in the morning... but getting a full night sleep is all that matters.

I'm weaning myself off it now, I'd never want to get to a stage that I fully rely on it to fall asleep, so I'll cut it out completely, see how things pan out. I've been through having surgery, and not had a seizure for over 6 months now, so I do feel paranoid about ANY changes in my medication... My moto, if it's not broken, why try to fix it!?..., but a sleep aid that is potentially addictive isn't something I'd want to remain on!.