Zopiclone

Zopiclone 7.5 mg film-coated tablets

Zopiclone 7.5 mg film-coated tablets:

Each film-coated tablet contains 7.5 mg zopiclone.

Excipient with known effect: Each film-coated tablet contains 80.00 mg lactose monohydrate.

Each 7.5 mg film-coated tablet contains 0.13 mg sodium.

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

Film-coated tablet

Zopiclone 7.5 mg film-coated tablets:

White, round, (diameter: 7.6mm), biconvex film coated tablets debossed with 'Z & 2' separated with break line on one side and break line on the other side. The tablet can be divided into equal doses.

Short-term treatment of insomnia in adults, including difficulties in falling asleep, nocturnal awakening and early awakening, transient, situational or chronic insomnia, and insomnia secondary to psychiatric disturbances, in situations where the insomnia is debilitating or is causing severe distress for the patient. Long term continuous use is not recommended. A course of treatment should employ the lowest effective dose.

Use the lowest effective dose. Zopiclone should be taken in a single intake and not be re-administered during the same night.

Posology

Adults

The recommended dose for adults is 7.5 mg (two tablets of 3.75 mg or one tablet of 7.5 mg) by the oral route shortly before retiring.

Elderly

A lower dose of 3.75mg zopiclone should be employed to start treatment in the elderly. Depending on effectiveness and acceptability, the dosage subsequently may be increased if clinically necessary.

Patients with hepatic insufficiency:

As elimination of zopiclone may be reduced in patients with hepatic dysfunction, a lower dose of 3.75mg zopiclone nightly is recommended. The standard dose of 7.5mg zopiclone may be used with caution in some cases, depending on effectiveness and acceptability.

Renal insufficiency:

Although no accumulation of zopiclone or its metabolites have been found in patients with renal insufficiency, it is advisable to begin treatment of patients with reduced renal function at 3.75 mg.

Chronic respiratory insufficiency

In patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency, a starting dose of 3.75 mg zopiclone is recommended initially. The dosage subsequently may be increased to 7.5 mg.

Paediatric population:

Zopiclone should not be used children and adolescents less than 18 years. The safety and efficacy of zopiclone in children and adolescents aged less than 18 years have not been established.

Treatment duration

Transient insomnia 2 - 5 days. Short term insomnia 2 - 3 weeks. A single course of treatment should not continue for longer than 4 weeks including any tapering off. .

Extension beyond the maximum treatment period should not take place without reevaluation of the patient's status.

The product should be taken just before retiring for the night.

Method of administration

For oral use. Each tablet should be swallowed without sucking, chewing or breaking.

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

• Myasthenia gravis

• Respiratory failure

• Severe sleep apnoea syndrome

• Children and adolescents under 18 years of age

• Severe hepatic insufficiency

Specific patient groups

Use in hepatic insufficiency:

A reduced dosage is recommended, see Posology.

Benzodiazepines are not indicated to treat patients with severe hepatic insufficiency as they may precipitate encephalopathy (see section 4.3 contraindications).

Use in renal insufficiency: A reduced dosage is recommended, see Posology.

Use in respiratory insufficiency:

As hypnotics have the capacity to depress respiratory drive, precautions should be observed if zopiclone is prescribed to patients with compromised respiratory function (see section 4.8). A lower dose is recommended for patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency due to the risk of respiratory depression.

Use in Paediatric population:

Zopiclone should not be used children and adolescents less than 18 years. The safety and efficacy of zopiclone in children and adolescents aged less than 18 years have not been established.

Use in Elderly patients

Elderly should be given a reduced dose (see section 4.2)

Risk of dependence:

Clinical experience to date with Zopiclone suggests that the risk of dependence is minimal when the duration of treatment is limited to not more than 4 weeks.

The use of benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine-like substances (even at therapeutic doses) can lead to the development of physical and psychological dependence or abuse upon these products. The risk of dependence or abuse increases the higher the dose and the longer the period of treatment; the risk of dependence or abuse is also greater in patient with a history of alcohol or other pshychotropics or drug abuse or those who have marked personality disorders. The decision to use a hypnotic in such patients should be taken only with this clearly in mind. If physical dependence occurs, sudden discontinuation of the treatment will be accompanied by withdrawal symptoms (see warnings and precautions). These may be expressed as headaches, muscle pain, extreme anxiety, tension, restlessness, confusion and irritability. In severe cases the following symptoms may occur: derealisation, depersonalisation, hyperacusis, numbness and tingling of the extremities, hypersensitivity to light, noise or physical contact, hallucinations or epileptic seizures. Rare cases of abuse have been reported.

Withdrawal

The termination of treatment with Zopiclone is unlikely to be associated with withdrawal effects when duration of treatment is limited to 4 weeks. Patients may benefit from tapering of the dose before discontinuation. (See also section 4.8. Undesirable Effects).

Depression:

As with other hypnotics, zopiclone does not constitute a treatment for depression and may even unmask its symptoms (suicide may be precipitated in such patients). Any underlying cause of insomnia should be addressed carefully before symptomatic treatment to avoid under treating potentially serious effects of depression.

Suicidality:

Some epidemiological studies indicate an increased incidence of suicide and suicide attempts in patients with or without depression, and treated with benzodiazepines or hypnotics, including zopiclone. However, a causal association has not been demonstrated.

Rebound insomnia

A transient syndrome where the symptoms which led to treatment with a benzodiazepine or benzodiazepine-like agent recur in an enhanced form on discontinuation of therapy. It may be accompanied by other reactions including mood changes, anxiety and restlessness. Since the risk of withdrawal/rebound phenomena is increased after prolonged treatment, or abrupt discontinuation of therapy, it is, therefore, recommended to decrease the dosage gradually and to advise the patient accordingly.

A course of treatment should employ the lowest effective dose for the minimum length of time necessary for effective treatment. See posology for guidance on possible treatment regimen. A course of treatment should not continue for longer than 4 weeks including any tapering off (see section 4.8).

Tolerance

Some loss of efficacy to the hypnotic effect of benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine-like agents may develop after repeated use for a few weeks.

However, with zopiclone there is an absence of any marked tolerance during treatment periods of up to 4 weeks.

Amnesia

Anterograde amnesia may occur, especially when sleep is interrupted or when retiring to bed is delayed after taking the tablet. Therefore to reduce the possibility of anterograde amnesia, patients should ensure that they take the tablet when certain of retiring for the night and they are able to have a full night's sleep (uninterrupted sleep of about 8 hours).

Psychomotor impairment

Like other sedative/hypnotic drugs, zopiclone has CNS-depressant effects. The risk of psychomotor impairment, including impaired driving ability, is increased if: zopiclone is taken within 12 hours of performing activities that require mental alertness, a dose higher than the recommended dose is taken, or zopiclone is co-administered with other CNSdepressants, alcohol or with other drugs that increase the blood levels of zopiclone (see section 4.5). Patients should be cautioned against engaging in hazardous occupations requiring complete mental alertness or motor coordination such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle following administration of zopiclone and in particular during the 12 hours following that administration.

Other Psychiatric and paradoxical reactions

Other psychiatric and paradoxical reactions have been reported (see section 4.8 Undesirable effects), like restlessness, agitation, irritability, aggression, delusion, anger, nightmares, hallucinations, inappropriate behaviour and other adverse behavioural effects are known to occur when using sedative/hypnotic agents like zopiclone. Should this occur, use of zopiclone should be discontinued. These reactions are more likely to occur in the elderly.

Somnambulism and associated behaviours

Sleep walking and other associated behaviours such as “sleep driving”, preparing and eating food, or making phone calls, with amnesia for the event, have been reported in patients who have taken zopiclone and were not fully awake. The use of alcohol and other CNS-depressants with zopiclone appears to increase the risk of such behaviours, as does the use of zopiclone at doses exceeding the maximum recommended dose. Discontinuation of zopiclone should be strongly considered for patients who report such behaviours (see section 4.5).

Risk from concomitant use of opioids:

Concomitant use of zopiclone and opioids may result in sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death. Because of these risks, concomitant prescribing of sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs such as Zopiclone with opioids should be reserved for patients for whom alternative treatment options are not possible. If a decision is made to prescribe zopiclone concomitantly with opioids, the lowest effective dose should be used, and the duration of treatment should be as short as possible (see also general dose recommendation in section 4.2).

The patients should be followed closely for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation. In this respect, it is strongly recommended to inform patients and their caregivers (where applicable) to be aware of these symptoms (see section 4.5).

Excipients

This medicinal product contains lactose. Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance,total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.

Association not recommended:

Concomitant use with alcohol is not recommended because the sedative effect of zopiclone may be intensified when used in combination with alcohol. In particular, this may affect the ability to drive or operate machines.

Associations to be taken in to account:

In combination with CNS depressants an enhancement of the central depressive effect may occur. The therapeutic benefit of co-administration with antipsychotics (neuroleptics), hypnotics, anxiolytics/sedatives, antidepressant agents, narcotic analgesics, anti-epileptic drugs, anaesthetics and sedative antihistamines should therefore be carefully weighed. In the case of narcotic analgesics, enhancement of euphoria may also occur leading to an increase in psychic dependence. Compounds which inhibit certain hepatic enzymes (particularly cytochrome P450) may enhance the activity of benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine-like agents.

Compounds which inhibit certain hepatic enzymes (particularly cytochrome P450) may enhance the activity of benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine-like agents. Since zopiclone is metabolised by P450 (CYP)3A4 isoenzyme (see section 5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties), the plasma levels of zopiclone and thus the effect of zopiclone may be increased when used in combination with drugs which inhibit CYP3A4, such as such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, azole antimycotics such as ketoconazole, itraconazole and ritonavir. Dose reduction should be considered if zopiclone is co-administered with CYP3A4 inhibitors.

Co-administration with Drugs which induce CYP3A4, like phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampicin and products containing St John's wort, may reduce zopiclone plasma levels and thus the effect of zopiclone. A dose increase for zopiclone may be required when it is co-administered with CYP3A4 inducers.

The effect of erythromycin on the pharmacokinetics of zopiclone has been studies in 10 healthy subjects. The AUC of zopiclone is increased by 80% in presence of erythromycin which indicates that erythromycin can inhibit the metabolism of drugs metabolised by CYP 3A4. As a consequence, the hypnotic effect of zopiclone may be enhanced.

Opioids:

The concomitant use of sedative medicines such as benzodiazepines or related drugs such as Zopiclone with opioids increases the risk of sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death because of additive CNS depressant effect. The dosage and duration of concomitant use should be limited (see section 4.4).

Insufficient data are available on zopiclone to assess its safety during human pregnancy and lactation.

Pregnancy

Experience of use of zopiclone during pregnancy in humans is limited although there have been no adverse findings in animals. Zopiclone should not be used during pregnancy. If the product is prescribed to a woman of child bearing potential, she should be advised to contact her physician about stopping the product if she intends to become pregnant, or suspects that she is pregnant.

Moreover, if zopiclone is prescribed during the last three months of pregnancy or during labour, due to the pharmacological action of the product, effects on the neonate, such as hypothermia, hypotonia and respiratory depression can be expected

Infants born to mothers who took benzodiazepines or benzodiazepine-like agents chronically during the latter stages of pregnancy may have developed physical dependence and may be at some risk of developing withdrawal symptoms in the postnatal period.

Breast feeding

Zopiclone is excreted in breast milk, although the concentration of zopiclone in the breast milk is low, use in nursing mothers must be avoided.

Because of its pharmacological properties and its effect on central nervous system, Zopiclone may adversely affect the ability to drive or to use machines. The risk of psychomotor impairment, including impaired driving ability, is increased if:

• zopiclone is taken within 12 hours of performing activities that require mental alertness,

• a dose higher than the recommended dose is taken, or

• zopiclone is co-administered with other CNS depressants, alcohol, or with other drugs that increase the blood levels of zopiclone.

Patients should be cautioned against engaging in hazardous occupations requiring complete mental alertness or motor coordination such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle following administration of zopiclone and in particular during the 12 hours following that administration.

The following CIOMS frequency rating is used, when applicable:

Frequency estimate: very common (≥ 1/10); common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10); uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100); rare (≥ 1/10,000 to <1/1,000); and very rare (<1/10,000); not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Withdrawal syndrome has been reported upon discontinuation of zopiclone. (See section 4.4. Special Warnings and Precautions for Use). Withdrawal symptoms vary and may include rebound insomnia, muscle pain,anxiety, tremor, sweating, agitation, confusion, headache, palpitations, tachycardia, delirium, nightmares, hallucinations, panic attacks, muscle aches/cramps, gastrointestinal disturbances and irritability. In severe cases the following symptoms may occur: derealisation, depersonalisation, hyperacusis, numbness and tingling of the extremities, hypersensitivity to light, noise and physical contact, hallucinations. In very rare cases, seizures may occur.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

Fatal dose not known.

Symptoms

In the cases of overdosage reported,Overdose is usually manifested by varying degrees of central nervous system depression ranging from drowsiness to coma according to the quantity ingested. In mild cases, symptoms include drowsiness, confusion and lethargy; in more severe cases, symptoms may include ataxia, hypotonia, hypotension, methaemoglobinaemia, respiratory depression, and coma. Overdose should not be life threatening unless combined with other CNS depressants, including alcohol. Other risk factors, such as the presence of concomitant illness and the debilitated state of the patient, may contribute to the severity of symptoms and very rarely can result in fatal outcome.

Management

Symptomatic and supportive treatment in adequate clinical environment is recommended, attention should be paid to respiratory and cardiovascular functions.

Consider activated charcoal if an adult has ingested more than 150 mg or a child more than 1.5 mg/kg within one hour. Alternatively, consider gastric lavage in adults within one hour of a potentially life threatening overdose. If CNS depression is severe consider the use of flumazenil. It has a short half-life (about an hour). NOT TO BE USED IN MIXED OVERDOSE OR AS A “DIAGNOSTIC” TEST. Management should include general symptomatic and supportive measures including a clear airway and monitoring cardiac and vital signs until stable.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: hypnotic-sedative. ATC code N05C F01

Mechanism of action:

Zopiclone is a benzodiazepine-like hypnotic agent which belongs to the group of cyclopyrrolones. It rapidly initiates and sustains sleep without reduction of total REM sleep and with preservation of slow wave sleep. Negligible residual effects are seen the following morning. The pharmacological properties are: hypnotic, sedation, anxiolysis, anticonvulsion, muscle relaxation. These effects are related to a specific agonistic effect on central receptors belonging to the GABAA, macromolecular complex which regulates the opening of chloride channels. However, it has been shown that zopiclone and other cyclopyrrolones act on a different site to those of benzodiazepines including different conformational changes in the receptor complex.

Absorption

Zopiclone is swiftly absorbed. Maximum plasma concentrations are achieved after 1½ - 2 hours and are approximately 30 and 60 ng/ml after administration of 3.75 mg and 7.5 mg respectively. Absorption is the same in men and women and is not affected by simultaneous ingestion of food or repetition of doses.

Distribution

Zopiclone is swiftly distributed from the vascular compartment. The plasma protein binding is at least 45% and is not saturable. There is very little risk of drug interactions due to protein binding. The volume of distribution is 91.8 – 104.6 litres. The decrease in plasma level does not depend on the dose between 3.75 and 15 mg. The elimination half-life is approximately 5 hours at the recommended doses. No accumulation occurs after repeated administration and individual differences appear slight.

Biotransformation

The most important metabolites are the N-oxide derivative (pharmacologically active in animals) and the N-desmethyl metabolite (pharmacologically inactive in animals). An in-vitro study indicates that cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 is the major isoenzyme involved in the metabolism of zopiclone to both metabolites, and that CYP2C8 is also involved with N-desmethyl zopiclone formation. Their apparent half-life times are approximately 4.5 hours and 1.5 hours respectively. No significant accumulation of the compound is seen following repeat dosing, (15mg) for 14 days. In animals, no enzyme induction has been observed even at high doses.

Elimination

The low renal clearance of zopiclone (on average 8.4 ml/min) compared to the plasma clearance (232 ml/min) shows that zopiclone is cleared chiefly by metabolism. Zopiclone is eliminated in the urine (approximately 80%) in the form of unconjugated metabolites (N-oxide and N-desmethyl derivatives) and in the faeces (approximately 16%).

Special patient groups

In various trials with elderly patients, no accumulation of zopiclone was observed in the plasma after repeated doses, in spite of a slight reduction in the renal function and extension of the elimination half-life to approximately 7 hours. In renal insufficiency, no accumulation of zopiclone or its metabolites have been detected after prolonged administration. Zopiclone crosses the dialysing membrane.

In patients with cirrhosis of the liver the slow demethylating process causes the plasma clearance of zopiclone to be delayed. For this reason the dosage should be adjusted for these patients.

Chronic toxicity

Hepatotoxic effects were elicited in repeated dose toxicity studies conducted in rats and dogs. In dogs anaemia were evident in some studies.

Mutagenicity and carcinogenicity

Zopiclone did not show a mutagenic potential in vitro and in vivo. From studies performed in rats and mice it can be concluded that for patients receiving long-term medication with Zopiclone no carcinogenic potential exists.

Reproduction toxicity

In animal studies Zopiclone caused a decrease in fertility in rats. Zopiclone did not affect fertility in rabbits. Foetal developmental retardations and foetotoxic effects in rats and rabbits were observed only at doses well above the maximum human dosage. There was no evidence of a teratogenic potential.

Tablet core:

Lactose monohydrate

Calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate

Starch, Pre-gelatinized (Maize Starch)

Povidone (K-30)

Sodium starch glycolate (Type A)

Magnesium Stearate

Tablet coat:

Hypromellose (6cps)

Macrogol

Titanium Dioxide (E171)

Not applicable.

3 years

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

Zopiclone film-coated tablets are available in white opaque PVC-Aluminium blister pack.

Pack sizes:

Blister packs: 5, 10, 14, 20, 28, 30, 50, 60 and 90 film-coated tablets

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

Milpharm Limited

Ares Block, Odyssey Business Park

West End Road

Ruislip HA4 6QD

United Kingdom

PL 16363/0542

13/07/2018

19/08/2020