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Zopiclone: is there any dependence and abuse potential?
1University of London, Department of Psychiatry, UK.
Journal of Neurology
|April 1, 1997
Summary
Zopiclone, a hypnotic medication, shows a lower potential for rebound, dependence, and abuse compared to benzodiazepines. Long-term use rarely leads to withdrawal symptoms or craving, indicating a favorable safety profile.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Therapeutics
- Drug Safety
Background:
- Hypnotic medications are widely prescribed for sleep disorders.
- Benzodiazepines have established profiles for efficacy and potential adverse effects.
- Understanding the long-term risks of non-benzodiazepine hypnotics like zopiclone is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review available data on zopiclone's rebound, withdrawal, dependence, and abuse potential.
- To compare these risks with those associated with benzodiazepines.
- To evaluate the overall safety profile of zopiclone regarding long-term use.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of published and unpublished data.
- Analysis of clinical observations regarding rebound phenomena.
- Assessment of reported cases of dependence and abuse.
- Comparison of zopiclone's risk profile with benzodiazepines.
Main Results:
- Rebound effects with zopiclone are occasionally detected but less frequent than with benzodiazepines.
- Tolerance to zopiclone does not occur regularly; cross-tolerance may aid benzodiazepine withdrawal.
- Dependence and psychological craving from long-term zopiclone use are rare globally.
- Documented cases of zopiclone abuse are rare compared to widely abused benzodiazepines.
Conclusions:
- Zopiclone demonstrates a lower dependence and abuse potential than benzodiazepines.
- Its pharmacokinetic profile (5h half-life) contributes to a manageable risk of rebound.
- Zopiclone offers substantial advantages over benzodiazepines in terms of long-term safety and abuse liability.