[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Z-drug hypnotics](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/z-drug-hypnotics/) › Zopiclone

[Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) · [Z-drug hypnotics](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/z-drug-hypnotics/)

# Zopiclone

A Z-drug for short-term insomnia, used in many countries but not marketed in the United States. It often leaves a bitter or metallic taste.

Updated 2026-11-01

- Class: [Z-drug hypnotics](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/z-drug-hypnotics/)
- Receptor: GABA-A receptor (α1-containing), benzodiazepine site
- ATC code: N05CF01

◎**GABA-A receptor (α1-containing), benzodiazepine site**Zopiclone

ⓘ The figure shows zolpidem, another Z-drug that acts at the same benzodiazepine site, bound to the human GABA-A receptor; no structure with zopiclone is available.

**Target in 3D:** GABA-A receptor (α1-containing), benzodiazepine site. PDB structure 8DD2 (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/8DD2) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

## Mechanism of action

Zopiclone is an agonist at the benzodiazepine site of the GABA-A receptor and strengthens GABA's inhibition, which brings on sleep. It is a racemic mixture; its S-enantiomer is sold separately as eszopiclone.

- Binds the benzodiazepine site of the GABA-A receptor
- GABA's inhibition grows stronger
- Sleep comes sooner and lasts longer

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
Given by mouth at bedtime

## Indications

- Short-term treatment of insomnia (trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or waking early) [Insomnia disorder →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/insomnia-disorder/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Bitter or metallic taste
- Dry mouth
- Next-day drowsiness

### Serious (rare, important)

- Breathing difficulty
- Sleep-walking or other actions while not fully awake
- Hallucinations or thoughts of self-harm
- Dependence and withdrawal (agitation, anxiety) if stopped suddenly

## Contraindications

- Myasthenia gravis or other muscle weakness
- Sleep apnoea or breathing problems
- Liver problems
- Past reaction to similar sleeping medicines

## Key interactions

**Alcohol**
Stronger effects, breathing problems and great difficulty waking

**Opioids and other sedatives**
Added sedation and breathing depression

## What is monitored

- Duration of use (short courses)
- Next-day alertness
- Signs of dependence

## Administration and safety

- Given by mouth at bedtime, for a short course
- No driving, cycling or machinery for 12 hours after a dose or while drowsy
- Reduced gradually when stopped after regular use

## Nursing care

- Check how the person slept, next-morning alertness and falls
- Ask about alcohol and other sedatives
- Teach to take it only when a full night in bed is possible and not to drive the next morning if drowsy
- Teach to report sleepwalking, sleep-driving or other actions done while not fully awake

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Not usually used in pregnancy; it may be given briefly when sleep problems are severe and other options have failed.

## Memory aid

Zopiclone: «Z with a metal taste» – short courses, no driving for 12 hours.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which taste effect is common with zopiclone?

A bitter or metallic taste.

## Which muscle disease makes zopiclone unsuitable?

Myasthenia gravis.

## Why is alcohol avoided with zopiclone?

It strengthens its effects, can cause breathing problems and makes waking very hard.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/zopiclone/)

## Related drugs

- [Eszopiclone](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/eszopiclone/)
- [Zolpidem](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/zolpidem/)

## Related conditions

- [Insomnia disorder](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/insomnia-disorder/)

[← Back to the class: Z-drug hypnotics](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/z-drug-hypnotics/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Zopiclone: a medicine used to treat insomnia](https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/zopiclone/) (NHS, 2026); Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 14th ed., ch. 22 (McGraw Hill, 2023); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=N05CF01) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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