Imrest (Zopiclone)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Imrest Used For?
Imrest contains zopiclone and belongs to a class of medications called sedative-hypnotics. It’s designed to help adults over 18 years of age who have trouble sleeping.
Primary Uses
Imrest is used for short-term treatment (7-14 days) of insomnia. It helps you fall asleep faster and reduces the number of times you wake up during the night.
How It Works
As a sedative-hypnotic medication, Imrest works by helping your brain relax so you can fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer.
Short-term use only: Imrest should only be used for short periods (7-14 days). Long-term continuous use is not recommended due to risk of dependence.
How to Take Imrest
Imrest should only be taken when you can get a full night’s sleep (7 to 8 hours) before you need to be active again. Take it as a single dose and do not take another dose during the same night.
Dosage Instructions
Standard adult dose: One 7.5mg tablet just before bedtime. For adults over 65 or those with liver/kidney problems: Half a tablet (3.75mg) just before bedtime. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water. Taking it on an empty stomach may help it 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 in the morning, do not take it. Taking it too late may cause trouble waking at your normal time.
Important: Never take more than one dose per night. Do not readminister during the same night even if you wake up.
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:
- Headache
- Bitter taste in mouth
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Heartburn
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Changes in appetite
- Stomach pain
- Skin 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
- Sleepwalking or unusual behaviors while not fully awake
- Delirium (sudden mental state changes with confusion)
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Imrest should not be used, and others where special caution is needed.
Who Should Not Take Imrest
Do not take Imrest if you: are allergic to zopiclone or any ingredients; have been drinking alcohol or have alcohol in your bloodstream; have sleep apnea; have myasthenia gravis; have severe liver problems; have acute/severe lung problems; have had a stroke; have experienced sleepwalking or unusual behaviors while not fully awake after taking sleep medications.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: breathing problems or snore frequently; history of addiction to alcohol, drugs, or medicines; history of sleepwalking or unusual sleep behaviors; thyroid problems; depression, psychosis, or schizophrenia; epilepsy; planned surgery requiring general anesthesia.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Imrest if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Imrest may affect your developing baby and passes into breast milk, potentially affecting your baby. If you become pregnant while taking Imrest, stop immediately and contact your doctor.
Sleep behaviors warning: Imrest may cause sleepwalking or other unusual behaviors (driving, eating, making phone calls, having sex) while not fully awake. Some cases have been associated with serious injuries and death. Stop treatment immediately if this occurs.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with Imrest or be affected by it. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
Alcohol interaction: Never drink alcohol while taking Imrest. Alcohol increases the risk of dangerous sleep behaviors and can make side effects worse.
- Medicines for depression, anxiety, and mental illness
- St John’s wort (hypericum)
- Other drowsiness-causing medications
- Benzodiazepines (sedatives/anxiety medicines)
- Pain relievers (opioids, narcotic analgesics)
- Alcohol-containing medicines (cough syrups)
- Muscle relaxants
- Antihistamines
- Epilepsy medicines
- Antiviral medications
- Rifampicin, erythromycin, clarithromycin (infection medicines)
- Ketoconazole, itraconazole (antifungal medicines)
Alcohol & Driving
Imrest significantly affects your ability to drive and operate machinery, and alcohol makes these effects much worse.
Alcohol
You must not drink alcohol while taking Imrest. Alcohol increases the effects of Imrest and raises the risk of dangerous sleep behaviors like driving or eating while asleep.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Do not drive or operate dangerous machinery for 12 hours after taking Imrest. Be especially careful the morning after taking it. Impairment can occur even if you feel fully awake and have no symptoms. This is particularly important if you’re taking other drowsiness-causing medications.
Storage
Keep tablets in the blister pack until you’re ready to take them. Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Don’t store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children. Take expired or unwanted medicine to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you or anyone else takes too much Imrest, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Contact the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if there are no obvious signs of poisoning or discomfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Imrest helps you fall asleep quite quickly. Taking it on an empty stomach may help it work even faster.
You can take Imrest with or without food, but taking it on an empty stomach may help it work more quickly.
Yes, Imrest 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 risk.
Stopping suddenly after long-term use may cause withdrawal symptoms including abdominal and muscle cramps, vomiting, and sweating. Your insomnia may also temporarily appear worse. Speak to your doctor if you experience problems when stopping.
No, you should never drink alcohol while taking Imrest. Alcohol can make the effects worse and increase the risk of dangerous sleep behaviors like driving or eating while asleep.
Elderly patients (over 65) should take a reduced dose of half a tablet (3.75mg) and be more careful, especially if unwell or taking other medicines, as they may be more sensitive to side effects.
If you forget to take Imrest 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 the next day.
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.