Medicine Safety Information

Last updated: 1 August 2026

1. Important Information

Medicines can provide important benefits when used correctly, but they can also cause side effects, interactions, dependence or serious harm.

This page provides general safety information.

It does not replace:

Advice from a doctor, pharmacist or prescriber.
The patient information leaflet.
The product label.
Individual diagnosis or treatment.
Emergency medical assistance.

Always follow the instructions provided with your medicine.

2. Use Medicines Only as Directed

You should:

Take the medicine only for the person for whom it was supplied.
Follow the prescribed dose and instructions.
Read the patient information leaflet.
Check the medicine name and strength before use.
Use the medicine only for its intended purpose.
Contact a healthcare professional if instructions are unclear.

Do not change the dose, combine tablets or extend treatment without appropriate professional advice.

3. Zopiclone Safety

Zopiclone is a prescription-only sleeping medicine used for the short-term treatment of insomnia.

It is not intended as a routine long-term solution for sleeping problems.

Using zopiclone for longer periods, in higher amounts or differently from the prescribed instructions can increase the risk of:

Daytime drowsiness.
Memory problems.
Reduced coordination.
Falls and injuries.
Breathing problems.
Tolerance.
Dependence.
Withdrawal.
Misuse or addiction.

4. Alcohol

Do not drink alcohol while taking zopiclone.

Alcohol can increase:

Sedation.
Confusion.
Memory loss.
Poor coordination.
Abnormal sleep behaviour.
Breathing-related risks.
The risk of accidents.

Alcohol may continue to affect you even if it was consumed earlier in the evening.

5. Driving and Operating Machinery

Zopiclone may impair alertness, judgement, coordination and reaction time.

Do not:

Drive.
Cycle.
Operate machinery.
Work at height.
Perform hazardous activities.

Do not undertake these activities if you feel sleepy, dizzy, confused or less alert.

Impairment may continue into the following day, particularly where:

The dose was taken late.
You did not obtain enough sleep.
Alcohol was consumed.
Other sedating medicines were used.
A higher dose was taken.

6. Other Medicines and Products

Tell the relevant healthcare professional about all medicines and products you use, including:

Prescription medicines.
Over-the-counter medicines.
Sleeping products.
Anxiety medicines.
Opioid pain medicines.
Antidepressants.
Antipsychotic medicines.
Sedating antihistamines.
Epilepsy medicines.
Herbal remedies.
Supplements.
Recreational drugs.

Combining sedating substances can increase drowsiness and breathing-related risks.

7. Who May Need Additional Assessment?

Zopiclone may not be suitable, or may require additional caution, for people with:

Breathing problems.
Sleep apnoea.
Severe liver problems.
Myasthenia gravis.
A history of alcohol or substance dependence.
Certain mental-health conditions.
Previous unusual reactions to sleeping medicines.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
A history of falls.
Other medicines that cause sedation.

Provide complete and accurate health information before treatment is considered.

8. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Speak to an appropriate healthcare professional before using any medicine if you are:

Pregnant.
Trying to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding.
Unsure whether you may be pregnant.

Do not assume that a medicine is safe during pregnancy because it was previously used without difficulty.

9. Common Side Effects

Possible zopiclone side effects may include:

Bitter or metallic taste.
Dry mouth.
Daytime sleepiness.
Dizziness.
Headache.
Reduced concentration.
Nausea.
Tiredness.

Read the patient information leaflet for the complete list.

Speak to a healthcare professional if side effects persist, worsen or interfere with everyday activities.

10. Serious Reactions

Seek urgent medical help if you experience:

Difficulty breathing.
Swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat.
Loss of consciousness.
Severe confusion.
Hallucinations.
Unusual aggression or behaviour.
Severe loss of coordination.
A serious allergic reaction.
Sleepwalking or dangerous activities while not fully awake.
Thoughts of immediate self-harm.
Symptoms of overdose.

Do not take another dose until appropriate professional advice has been obtained.

11. Tolerance, Dependence and Addiction

Tolerance means that the medicine may appear less effective after repeated use.

Dependence means that the body or mind has adapted to the medicine and stopping it may cause withdrawal symptoms.

The risk may increase with:

Higher doses.
Longer treatment.
Frequent use.
Previous dependence.
Alcohol or substance misuse.
Use with other sedating medicines.

Do not increase the dose because the usual amount appears less effective.

Contact the prescribing clinician for review.

12. Withdrawal

Stopping zopiclone suddenly after regular use may cause withdrawal or rebound insomnia.

Possible symptoms include:

Anxiety.
Restlessness.
Irritability.
Sweating.
Tremor.
Headache.
Confusion.
Sensitivity to light or sound.
Worsened insomnia.
Seizures in severe cases.

Do not stop regular treatment suddenly without appropriate professional advice.

A gradual reduction plan may be necessary.

13. Suspected Overdose

Taking more medicine than prescribed can be dangerous.

Possible overdose symptoms include:

Severe drowsiness.
Confusion.
Poor coordination.
Reduced consciousness.
Slow or difficult breathing.

Call 999 for severe symptoms or loss of consciousness.

Seek urgent advice even if the person currently appears well.

Keep the medicine packaging available so healthcare professionals can identify the product, strength and possible quantity taken.

14. Do Not Share or Resell Medicine

Never:

Give your medicine to another person.
Use medicine prescribed for someone else.
Sell or transfer medicine.
Leave medicine where another person can access it.

A medicine may be harmful to another person even where their symptoms appear similar.

15. Storage

Store medicine:

In its original packaging.
At the temperature stated on the packaging.
Away from moisture and excessive heat.
Out of sight and reach of children.
Away from anyone for whom it was not supplied.
Securely where misuse is possible.

Do not use medicine after the expiry date.

16. Damaged or Suspicious Products

Do not use a product if:

The seal is broken.
The packaging has been opened.
The tablets appear different from the description.
The product is damaged.
The expiry or batch information is missing.
There are signs of contamination or tampering.
The product received does not match the order.

Keep the product and packaging and contact customer support promptly.

17. Disposal

Do not share unwanted medicines or keep them for future use without advice.

Do not flush medicine into wastewater.

Use an authorised local medicine-return or disposal service where available.

Returning medicine for safe disposal does not automatically create a right to a refund.

18. Reporting Side Effects

Suspected side effects can be reported through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

A report can help identify new or emerging medicine-safety concerns.

Yellow Card reporting does not replace medical advice. Speak to a healthcare professional if you are worried about your health.

19. Emergency Information

For a life-threatening emergency, call 999.

For urgent medical advice in the United Kingdom, contact NHS 111.

HappyMeds customer support cannot diagnose symptoms or provide emergency treatment.

20. Contact

For product, packaging or order-related concerns, contact:

Email: help@happymeds.uk