Zopiclone - Abuse

Abuse

Zopiclone is a drug with the potential for misuse with the potential for causing dosage escalation, drug abuse and drug dependence. Zopiclone is well known amongst drug addicts as a drug of abuse and they commonly seek it from their doctors. It is abused orally and sometimes intravenously and often combined with alcohol to achieve a combined sedative hypnotic—alcohol euphoria. Patients who do abuse the drug are also at risk of dependence. Withdrawal symptoms can be seen after long term use of normal doses even after a gradual reduction regime. The Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties recommends that zopiclone prescriptions not exceed 7 to 10 days, owing to concerns of addiction, drug tolerance and physical dependence. Two types of drug misuse can occur; either recreational misuse, where the drug is taken to achieve a high, or when the drug is continued long term against medical advice. Zopiclone may be more addictive than benzodiazepines. Those with a history of substance misuse or mental health disorders may be at an increased risk of high dose zopiclone misuse. High dose misuse of zopiclone and increasing popularity amongst drug abusers who have been prescribed with zopiclone The symptoms of zopiclone addiction can include depression, dysphoria, hopelessness, slow thoughts, social isolation, worrying, sexual anhedonia and nervousness.

Zopiclone and other sedative hypnotic drugs are detected frequently in cases of people suspected of driving under the influence of drugs. Other drugs including the benzodiazepines and zolpidem are also found in high numbers of suspected drugged drivers. Many drivers have blood levels far exceeding the therapeutic dose range and often in combination with other alcohol, illegal or prescription drugs of abuse suggesting a high degree of abuse potential for benzodiazepines, zolpidem and zopiclone. Zopiclone which at prescribed doses causes moderate impairment the next day has been estimated to increase the risk of vehicle accidents by 50 percent, causing an increase of 503 excess accidents per 100,000 persons. It was recommended that zaleplon or other nonimpairing sleep aids be used instead of zopiclone to reduce road traffic accidents. Zopiclone as with other hypnotic drugs is sometimes abused to carry out criminal acts such as sexual assaults.

Zopiclone has cross tolerance with barbiturates and is able to suppress barbiturate withdrawal signs. Zopiclone is frequently self administered intravenously in studies on monkeys suggesting a high risk of abuse potential.

Zopiclone is in the top ten medications obtained using false prescription in France.

However, due to its distinctly bitter taste it is unlikely to be covertly administered to facilitate drug-related crime such as robbery and sexual assault. The tablets are coated with a film to mask the taste when swallowed, but crushing destroys this film. Also, a common side effect is a bitter, metallic taste following ingestion, so a person who has administered zopiclone is likely to be aware that he is under the influence of this drug.