Imovane (Zopiclone)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Imovane Used For?
Imovane contains zopiclone and belongs to a class of medications called sedative-hypnotics. It’s designed to help adults who have trouble sleeping.
Primary Uses
Imovane is used to help people over 18 years of age with sleeping difficulties (insomnia). It can help you fall asleep and reduce the number of times you wake up during the night. It’s intended for short-term treatment lasting 7-14 days.
How It Works
Imovane works as a sedative-hypnotic medication to help induce sleep and maintain sleep throughout the night.
Short-term use only: Treatment should be as short as possible because the risk of dependence increases with longer duration of treatment.
How to Take Imovane
Imovane should only be taken when you can get a full night’s sleep (7 to 8 hours) before you need to be active again.
Dosage Instructions
The standard adult dose is one tablet just before bedtime. For people over 65 years or those with liver or kidney problems, the dose is half a tablet before bed. Take as a single dose – do not take additional doses during the same night. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water. Taking on an empty stomach may work more quickly.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you forget to take your tablet before bed and wake up late at night or very early morning, do not take it. You may have trouble waking at your normal time.
Important: Do not take more than the recommended dose unless your doctor tells you to. Imovane should be taken as a single intake and not readministered during the same night.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- headaches
- bitter taste in mouth
- dry mouth
- drowsiness
- heartburn
- nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea
- change in appetite
- stomach pain
- rash
- blurred vision
- impotence
- agitation
- depression
- confusion
- anxiety
- dizziness
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- swelling of face, lips, mouth or throat causing difficulty swallowing or breathing
- hives
- fainting
- suicidal thoughts
- changes in behavior
- sleep walking or unusual behaviors while not fully awake
Memory Effects
Some sleep medicines may cause short-term memory loss. When this occurs, you may not remember what happened for several hours after taking the medicine.
Important Warnings
There are several important safety considerations before taking Imovane.
Who Should Not Take Imovane
Do not use if you are allergic to zopiclone or any ingredients, have been drinking alcohol, have sleep apnoea, myasthenia gravis, severe liver problems, acute/severe lung problems, have had a stroke, or have experienced sleep-walking or unusual behavior while not fully awake after taking Imovane. Not for children, adolescents, pregnant women, or breastfeeding mothers.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have breathing problems or snore, history of addiction to alcohol/drugs/medicine, mental illness, thyroid problems, depression, psychosis, schizophrenia, or epilepsy. Also inform if you’re planning surgery.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take if pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Imovane may affect your developing baby and passes into breast milk, potentially affecting your baby. If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, stop immediately and tell your doctor.
Sleep-walking Risk: Imovane may cause sleep walking or other unusual behaviors (driving, eating, making phone calls, having sex) while not fully awake, some associated with serious injuries and death. Stop treatment immediately if this occurs.
Drug Interactions
Several medications may interfere with Imovane and affect how it works.
- medicines to treat depression, anxiety and mental illness
- St John’s wort (hypericum)
- other medications which may cause drowsiness
- benzodiazepines
- pain relievers such as opioids or narcotic analgesics
- alcohol (ethanol) in medicines like cough syrups
- muscle relaxants
- antihistamines
- medicines used to treat epilepsy
- antiviral medication
- rifampicin, erythromycin or clarithromycin
- ketoconazole or itraconazole
Alcohol & Driving
Imovane affects your ability to drive and increases the effects of alcohol.
Alcohol
Do not drink alcohol while taking Imovane. The effects of alcohol could be made worse, and alcohol increases the risk of sleep walking or other dangerous behaviors like driving or eating while asleep.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Do not operate dangerous machinery or drive motor vehicles for 12 hours after taking Imovane. Be careful the next morning when you wake up. Impairment can occur even if you feel fully awake or better.
Storage
Keep tablets in the blister pack until time to take them. Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach it.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Imovane, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia or 0800 764 766 in New Zealand), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Imovane helps put you to sleep quite quickly. It works faster if taken on an empty stomach.
You can take Imovane with or without food, but it may work more quickly if taken on an empty stomach.
Yes, Imovane can cause dependence, especially when used regularly for longer than a few weeks. The risk of dependence increases with duration of treatment. People with a history of alcohol or drug addiction may have a higher chance of becoming addicted.
When stopped suddenly after long-term use, withdrawal symptoms may occur including abdominal and muscle cramps, vomiting, and sweating. Your insomnia may also appear worse for a short time.
No, you should not drink alcohol while taking Imovane. Alcohol can make the effects worse and increase the risk of dangerous sleep behaviors like sleep walking, driving, or eating while asleep.
Elderly patients over 65 should take a reduced dose of half a tablet and be more careful as they may be more sensitive to side effects, especially if unwell or taking other medicines.
If you forget to take your tablet before bed and wake up late at night or very early morning, do not take it as you may have trouble waking at your normal time.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.