Zopiclone and Insomnia: What Users Say

• kir...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 12, 2024

For Insomnia "Careful with this drug. I took it a few times a week for 10 years and then every night for 4 months. It started to not work anymore and I started tapering over weeks before stopping. Worst 3 months of my life with nasty rebound insomnia, wicked anxiety, and weird physical symptoms. I am doing CBT-I now to try to get some normal sleep back. You must respect this drug with no more than occasional use or it will take control of you!"

• Hel...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 23, 2024

For Insomnia "I have been taking Zopiclone 3.75 mg for 5 years. It has given me quality sleep, and I feel well-rested the next day. As an elderly person (I am 76), I do worry about side effects such as dementia. However, my doctor said there is no evidence that indicates a direct link between the drug and dementia. Many elderly people I know are taking it long-term. I do not feel any side effects, but you do need to have 7 hours of sleep, so I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who has to get up early to drive to work. The only downside for me is that I am dependent on it. Once I stop taking it, there will be serious rebound insomnia. You have to decide whether you want to be dependent on a drug for life or endure sleepless nights (if this is what has been bothering you)."

• Hel...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 1, 2025

For Insomnia "I have been taking Zopiclone 5 mg every night for 5 years. (I am a 75-year-old female.) I debated a long, long time whether to continue, as I know it is addictive and rebound insomnia is very severe when I stop taking it. My doctor says there is no evidence that it causes cognitive decline, which we all experience to some degree as we age. So far, my memory and capacity to process information are still very good. The only downside is that I used to take half (2.5 mg), but recently it has stopped working and I had to increase the dose. I feel great the next day if I get 6 hours of sleep or more, but sometimes I don't. It is definitely better than tossing and turning at night. I'd recommend it for retired people but not those who have to get up early for a full-time job."

• Chr...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 11, 2025

For Insomnia "I've been using Zopiclone (3.75) intermittently for several years now after some adverse reactions to lorazepam. More so lately because of problems with tinnitus. I generally do this for a couple of nights at most and then stop, though there have been occasions where I've used it for 10-14 nights. While it works well for me that night and I get at least 8 hours of sleep, I find that by midday, I'm feeling very fatigued. Also, after even two days of use, I've been finding that I have difficulty getting to sleep without it on the third night and am pretty wound up for the better part of the next day. It's great when the tinnitus gets so loud it interferes with sleep, but I'm beginning to question the value of that if I'm fatigued and stressed out after stopping taking it. I will be talking to my doctor to see if there are alternatives."