Zopiclone (Trade names: Imovane, Lunesta) is a novel hypnotic agent used in the treatment of insomnia. It was first introduced in 1988 by Rhône-Poulenc S.A., now part of Sanofi-Aventis.
While it acts on the BZ2 receptor and is a short-acting hypnotic agent, it is not a benzodiazepine, but a cyclopyrrolone derivative, belonging to a novel chemical class which is structurally unrelated to existing hypnotics.
On February 14, 2005, the DEA recommended the scheduling of zopiclone under Schedule IV, due to some evidence that the drug has addictive properties similar to benzodiazepines.
Adverse Reactions
The side-effects most commonly seen in clinical trials is taste alteration (bitter taste).
More Common Reactions:
Gastrointestinal: bitter taste, dry mouth.
Nervous System: drowsiness, headaches, fatigue.
Less Common Reactions:
Gastrointestinal: heartburn, constipation, diarrhoea, nausea, coated tongue, bad breath, anorexia or increased appetite, vomiting, epigastric pains , dyspepsia.
Cardiovascular: palpitations in elderly patients.
Skin: urticaria, tingling.
Miscellaneous: blurred vision, micturition, mild to moderate increases in serum transaminases and/or alkaline phosphatase have been reported very rarely.
Reproductive: impotence, ejaculation failure.
Nervous system: agitation, anxiety, loss of memory including retrograde amnesia, confusion, dizziness, weakness, somnolence, asthenia, feeling of drunkenness, euphoria, depression, coordination abnormality, hypotonia, speech disorder, hallucinations (auditory and visual), behavioural disorders, aggression, tremor, rebound insomnia, nightmares.
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