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Misuse of Zopiclone and Convulsions during Withdrawal
Abstract
It has been documented that benzodiazepines have the potential to cause dependence and withdrawal reactions, including convulsions. However, the available data concerning zopiclone, a nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic, are insufficient. The present study describes the case of a 36- year-old man who repeatedly misused zopiclone, in daily doses of 60 - 90 mg. Furthermore, the patient suffered from convulsion on two occasions following abrupt withdrawal of zopiclone. The concominant use of alcohol, trimipramine, and promazine may have contributed to the development of convulsions. It is concluded that zopiclone may cause problems associated with misuse and withdrawal reactions similar to those of bezodiazepines. Zusammenfassung Es ist bekannt, daß der Mißbrauch von Benzodiazepinen Abhängigkeit und Entzugssymptome, einschließlich Konvulsionen, verursachen kann. Über Zopiclon, ein Non-Benzodiazepin-Hypnotikum, gibt es allerdings nur unzureichend Daten. Wir beschreiben einen Fall von einem 36jährigen Mann, der wiederholt Zopiclon mißbrauchte, wobei die tägliche Dosis 60 - 90 mg war. Der Patient hatte zweimal einen Krampfanfall, nachdem er plötzlich eine hohe Dosis Zopiclon abgesetzt hatte. Ein mäßiger Alkoholgebrauch sowie die Behandlung mit Trimipramin und Promazin zu der gleichen Zeit haben möglicherweise zur Auslösung von Konvulsionen beigetragen. Zusammenfassend läßt sich feststellen, daß Zopiclon Probleme wie Mißbrauch und Entzugssymptome ähnlich wie die Benzodiazepine verursachen kann.
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Z-drug withdrawal symptoms may also occur in individuals undergoing chronic use at therapeutic doses.
“However, they may also occur in individuals undergoing chronic use at therapeutic doses.”
From Z-drug abuse and dependence: Clinical guideline of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology for diagnosis and management (2025) · cites this paper as [66]
Signs and symptoms of Z-drug withdrawal are more commonly observed following abrupt discontinuation after prolonged use and at doses higher than those recommended.
“Signs and symptoms of Z-drug withdrawal are more commonly observed following abrupt discontinuation after prolonged use and at doses higher than those recommended.”
From Z-drug abuse and dependence: Clinical guideline of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology for diagnosis and management (2025) · cites this paper as [66]
All Z-drugs have been associated with withdrawal symptoms, but these appear to be more frequently reported with chronic zolpidem use.
“All Z-drugs have been associated with withdrawal symptoms; however, these appear to be more frequently reported with chronic zolpidem use.”
From Z-drug abuse and dependence: Clinical guideline of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology for diagnosis and management (2025) · cites this paper as [66]
Most literature papers so far were based on small case series/single case studies.
“Most literature papers, so far, were based on small case series/single case studies (Aranko et al., 1991; Sikdar and Ruben, 1996; Rooney and O’Conner, 1998; Wong et al., 2005; Flynn and Cox, 2006; Chiaro et al., 2018).”
From An Insight into Z-Drug Abuse and Dependence: An Examination of Reports to the European Medicines Agency Database of Suspected Adverse Drug Reactions (2019) · cites this paper as Aranko et al., 1991
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“The second case involved a 76-year-old married woman with a history of depression who took 67.5 mg of zopiclone daily and experienced three typical seizures two days after abrupt withdrawal (29).”
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Metadata
- Authors
- Aranko, K., Henriksson, M., Hublin, C., & Seppäläinen, A.
- Affiliations
- University of Helsinki (FI)
- ORCID
- Hublin, C.
- Venue
- Pharmacopsychiatry
- Publisher
- Georg Thieme Verlag KG
- Published
- 1991-07
- Volume
- 24
- Issue
- 04
- Pages
- 138-140
- ISSN
- 0176-3679 (ISSN-L)
- 1439-0795
- OpenAlex
- W1970656086
- Cited by
- 38
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 2 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 1.11
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Pharmacopsychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Clinical Neurology › Epilepsy research and treatment
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Emergency Medicine › Poisoning and overdose treatments
- Keywords
- zopiclone, drug abuse, benzodiazepine withdrawal, convulsions, non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, alcohol consumption, trimipramine, promazine, drug addiction
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Depressive Disorder, Humans, Hypnotics and Sedatives, Male, Piperazines, Seizures, Substance Withdrawal Syndrome, Substance-Related Disorders, Azabicyclo Compounds
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