Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Imovane (Zopiclone). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Imovane (Zopiclone) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Imovane (Zopiclone). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• agitation (more common for seniors)
• bitter taste in mouth
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• Dry Mouth
• lightheadedness

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• aggressiveness
• behaviour changes (e.g., excitement, hyperactivity, violent behavior)
• clumsiness or unsteadiness (more common for seniors)
• confusion (more common for seniors)
• daytime anxiety or restlessness
• difficult or laboured breathing
• difficulty with coordination (more common for seniors)
• drowsiness (severe)
• memory problems (more common for seniors)
• shortness of breath
• signs of Depression (e.g., poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, thoughts of suicide)
• sleepwalking
• withdrawal effects (e.g., abdominal cramps, vomiting, sweating, tremor, seizures)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
• thoughts of self-harm or suicide

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Imovane (Zopiclone).

5 mg
Each round, white tablet, marked "IMOVANE 5" on one side and the logo "rPr" on the other, contains 5 mg of Imovane (Zopiclone). Nonmedicinal ingredients: corn starch, dicalcium phosphate, lactose, magnesium stearate, and sodium carboxymethyl starch; coating: hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and titanium dioxide.

7.5 mg
Each oval, scored, blue tablet, marked "IMOVANE" on one side and the logo "rPr" on each side of the score on the other side, contains 7.5 mg of Imovane (Zopiclone). The 7.5 mg tablet can be broken into two equal parts of 3.75 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: calcium phosphate dihydrate dibasic, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose; coating: carnauba wax, FD&C Blue No. 1 Aluminum Lake, opadry II White 2, and polyethylene glycol.

Do not take Imovane (Zopiclone) if you:

• are allergic to Imovane (Zopiclone) or any ingredients of Imovane (Zopiclone)
• have Myasthenia Gravis
• have severe breathing difficulties
• have severe liver disease
• have Sleep Apnea

There may be an interaction between Imovane (Zopiclone) and any of the following:

• alcohol
• Amiodarone
• anti-anxiety medications (e.g., Alprazolam, Clonazepam, Lorazepam)
• anticonvulsants (medications used to prevent seizures; e.g., Phenytoin, Valproic acid, Carbamazepine, Gabapentin)
• antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, doxylamine, Diphenhydramine, Hydroxyzine, Loratadine)
• antipsychotic medications (e.g., Chlorpromazine, Clozapine, Haloperidol, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• Aprepitant
• azelastine
• "azole" antifungals (e.g., ketoconazole, itraconazole, Voriconazole)
• barbiturates (e.g., butalbital, pentobarbital, Phenobarbital)
• Bosentan
• brimonidine
• Buspirone
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Nifedipine, Verapamil)
• cannabis
• chloral hydrate
• Clonidine
• Cobicistat
• conivaptan
• Dapsone
• Deferasirox
• Dronedarone
• Enzalutamide
• general anesthetics (medications used to put you to sleep for surgery)
• grapefruit juice
• HIV non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs; e.g., delavirdine, efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine)
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., darunavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• kava kava
• lithium
• Lomitapide
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin)
• melatonin
• Methadone
• e
• mifepristone
• Mirtazapine
• Mitotane
• Modafinil
• muscle relaxants (e.g., Baclofen, Cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, orphenadrine, Tizanidine)
• Nabilone
• narcotic or opioid medications (e.g., Codeine, Fentanyl, Morphine, Oxycodone)
• nefazodone
• npramipexole
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• Ropinirole
• Rotigotine
• St. John's wort
• scopolamine
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• siltuximab
• suvorexant
• Tapentadol
• Tetrabenazine
• thalidomide
• Tocilizumab
• tolcapone
• Tramadol
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Amitriptyline, Desipramine)
• tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., Dasatinib, imatinib, Nilotinib, Sunitinib)
• Zolpidem

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Imovane (Zopiclone). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Imovane (Zopiclone).

Alcohol use: The use of Imovane (Zopiclone) after consuming alcohol increases the risk of severe side effects such as breathing difficulty and performing activities while not being aware or awake. Alcohol should not be consumed if you are taking Imovane (Zopiclone).

Anxiety or restlessness: An increase in daytime anxiety or restlessness has been observed during treatment with Imovane (Zopiclone).

Bad taste in mouth: Imovane (Zopiclone) may cause you to have a coated tongue, bad breath, or a bitter taste in your mouth. These effects often occur when Imovane (Zopiclone) is being used.

Behaviour changes: Imovane (Zopiclone) may worsen symptoms of depression, including thoughts of suicide or wanting to harm others. It may also cause agitated or aggressive behaviour. If you experience these symptoms or any other behaviour change while taking Imovane (Zopiclone), contact your doctor immediately.

Family members or caregivers of people who are taking Imovane (Zopiclone) should contact the person's doctor immediately if they notice unusual behaviour changes.

Breathing: Sedatives can suppress breathing. If you have Asthma, or other lung disease that increases your risk for breathing difficulties, such as sleep apnea, discuss with your doctor how Imovane (Zopiclone) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Imovane (Zopiclone), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Confusion: Imovane (Zopiclone) affects mental efficiency (e.g., concentration, attention, and vigilance). The risk of confusion is greater for seniors and those with brain damage.

Depression: Sedative medications have been known to cause mood swings and symptoms of depression. If you have depression or a history of depression or suicidal thoughts, discuss with your doctor how Imovane (Zopiclone) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Imovane (Zopiclone), and whether any special monitoring is needed. If you experience symptoms of depression such as poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, or notice them in a family member who is taking Imovane (Zopiclone) contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Imovane (Zopiclone) can cause excessive drowsiness and decreased mental alertness. Do not operate heavy machinery or drive after taking Imovane (Zopiclone). Wait at least 12 hours after taking Imovane (Zopiclone) before driving or engaging in other activities that require mental alertness.

Kidney function: Kidney Disease or reduced kidney function may cause Imovane (Zopiclone) to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have kidney problems, you may require lower doses of Imovane (Zopiclone).

Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause Imovane (Zopiclone) to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver problems, you may require lower doses of Imovane (Zopiclone).

Memory disturbance: Amnesia of varying severity has been reported following normal doses of medications like Imovane (Zopiclone). This effect is rare with Imovane (Zopiclone).

Performing activities while not fully awake: People taking Imovane (Zopiclone) may perform activities such as sleepwalking, driving, preparing and eating food, and making phone calls while not fully awake and unaware of their actions. The next morning, they may not remember what happened. This may be more likely to occur if you use alcohol or other sedative medications. If you discover this has happened to you, contact your doctor immediately.

Withdrawal: Imovane (Zopiclone) can become habit-forming. Withdrawal symptoms similar to those occurring with related substances, including alcohol, have been observed after stopping the medication suddenly (after having taken it regularly over a period of time). These symptoms include:

• abdominal cramps
• agitation
• confusion
• Diarrhea
• extreme anxiety
• headache
• irritability
• memory impairment
• muscle pain
• nervousness
• restlessness
• sleep problems such as rebound Insomnia
• tension
• tremors
• vomiting

Pregnancy: The safety of using Imovane (Zopiclone) during pregnancy has not been established. Imovane (Zopiclone) should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Imovane (Zopiclone), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Imovane (Zopiclone) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Imovane (Zopiclone), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of Imovane (Zopiclone) have not been established for use by children and adolescents under 18 years of age.

Seniors: People over 65 years of age are more likely to experience dose-related side effects of Imovane (Zopiclone), such as drowsiness, dizziness, or impaired coordination. Using doses that are too high may result in accidents such as falls. Talk to your doctor if you are a senior and are experiencing any of the above side effects.