Insomnia and low mood often travel together, so it’s common for someone already taking an antidepressant to be prescribed a short course of zopiclone. Prescribed together deliberately, the combination can be appropriate — but it deserves respect and a few ground rules.
The general principle: added sedation
Zopiclone is a sedative. Many antidepressants also cause drowsiness, especially in the first weeks. Taken together, the sedative effects add up — which can mean heavier next-morning grogginess, slower reactions, and a higher risk of falls and impaired driving. This doesn’t make the combination automatically unsafe; it means your prescriber has weighed it, and you should follow the doses exactly.
Common combinations, briefly
- SSRIs (sertraline, citalopram, fluoxetine): generally the least sedating group. Short-term zopiclone alongside an SSRI is a common, accepted combination — though some SSRIs can modestly increase zopiclone levels, so report unusual drowsiness.
- Mirtazapine: already strongly sedating at lower doses. Adding zopiclone increases sedation significantly, so this pairing is usually brief and closely monitored.
- Tricyclics (amitriptyline, nortriptyline): sedating in their own right and often used at night. Combining with zopiclone raises drowsiness, dry mouth and fall risk — extra caution in older adults.
- Trazodone: markedly sedating; the combination is generally avoided or kept very short.
What to watch for and report
- Struggling to wake, or grogginess lasting well into the morning;
- Confusion, unsteadiness or falls — especially in over-65s;
- Worsening low mood or any thoughts of self-harm — contact your GP urgently or call NHS 111; Samaritans are available free on 116 123;
- Sleepwalking or doing things at night you don’t remember.
Three rules for the combination
- Never add zopiclone yourself to an antidepressant — or vice versa — using leftover or borrowed tablets.
- No alcohol. A third sedative on top of two is how emergencies happen — see zopiclone and alcohol.
- One prescriber, full picture. Make sure whoever prescribes the zopiclone knows your exact antidepressant and dose — and ask your pharmacist to run an interaction check; it’s free.
Remember, too, that treating the depression or anxiety itself often improves sleep — zopiclone is a short bridge while the underlying treatment takes effect, not a parallel long-term fix. More in alternatives to zopiclone.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take zopiclone with sertraline?
Yes, when prescribed together — it’s a common short-term combination. Some SSRIs can slightly increase zopiclone’s effects, so report unusual next-day drowsiness to your prescriber.
Can I take zopiclone with mirtazapine?
Only under close supervision. Mirtazapine is already strongly sedating, so adding zopiclone significantly increases drowsiness and fall risk; courses are kept very short.
Will zopiclone make my depression worse?
Zopiclone can occasionally lower mood or, rarely, trigger thoughts of self-harm. If your mood dips while taking it, contact your GP promptly — don’t simply stop both medicines yourself.
Should St John’s Wort be mentioned too?
Yes — herbal remedies count. St John’s Wort interacts with many antidepressants and can also alter how other medicines are broken down, so always tell your pharmacist everything you take.
Questions about your sleep or your medicines? Speak to one of our pharmacists — advice is free and confidential. If you already have a prescription, you can nominate our pharmacy to dispense and deliver it.
This article is general health information based on NHS and BNF guidance. It is not medical advice, and it is not an advertisement for a prescription-only medicine. Zopiclone is available only on prescription in the UK and cannot be purchased from this website. Always follow your prescriber’s instructions and read the patient information leaflet. If you need urgent help call NHS 111; in an emergency call 999. [Clinical review placeholder — reviewed by NAME, Superintendent Pharmacist, GPhC reg. NUMBER, on DATE.]