Can Zopiclone Be Taken Instead Of Benzodiazepines?

Posted on Wed, 20 May 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 20 May 2015 Answered on

Sat, 6 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : can i safely use zopiclone if I'm allergic to benzodiazepines? Seeing as they are quite similar I'm hesitant to take it although I haven't slept for 36 hours.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
There should not be problems

Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome to HCM.

Zopiclone is a nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic medications and it may have similar effect to benzodiazepines but its molecular structure is different and it should not cause allergy in people who are allergic to BDs. Allergy may occur but then it would be new allergy not related to your previous allergies. So you can take it in recommended dosage and just watch for signs of reaction if occur. But I said, this risk is very low. Wish you good health. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (20 minutes later)

Ok thank you! Seeing as my reaction to benzo is opposite of what it is supposed to do, meaning I get agitated not relaxed, will zopiclone have a similar effect in that sense? Disregarding the allergy I mean.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
not necessarily

Detailed Answer:
it affects some other brain receptors so it probably wont have same effect as BDs. also, it is individual and it is hard to predict effect in each men. Only way to do this is to try it.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj