Zopiclone is one of the most commonly prescribed sleeping tablets in the UK. If your GP has just prescribed it — or you’re researching it before an appointment — this guide explains what it is, how it works, and what to expect, in plain English.
What is zopiclone?
Zopiclone is a prescription-only medicine used for the short-term treatment of severe insomnia — when difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep is seriously affecting your daily life. It belongs to a group of medicines called “Z-drugs” (non-benzodiazepine hypnotics), which also includes zolpidem. In the UK it is also a Class C controlled drug, which means its supply is tightly regulated.
How does zopiclone work?
Zopiclone enhances the effect of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a natural calming chemical messenger in the brain. By boosting GABA’s effect, it slows brain activity, helping you fall asleep faster and reducing the number of times you wake during the night. Most people find it starts working within about an hour of taking it.
What conditions is it prescribed for?
Zopiclone is only recommended for short, severe bouts of insomnia — for example, sleep disruption caused by bereavement, acute stress or shift changes — and usually only after non-drug approaches have been considered. It is not a treatment for long-term insomnia; NICE guidance recommends cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-i) as the first-line treatment for persistent sleep problems.
How long is a typical course?
Courses are deliberately short — usually no more than 2–4 weeks, and sometimes only two or three nights a week. There are two good reasons for this:
- Tolerance: the body gets used to zopiclone quickly, so the same dose stops working within weeks.
- Dependence: taking it for longer increases the risk of becoming reliant on it and experiencing withdrawal effects when stopping.
Can you buy zopiclone online?
Not legally without a prescription. Any website offering zopiclone with no prescription is operating illegally, and the tablets sold this way are frequently counterfeit, incorrectly dosed or contaminated. A legitimate UK pharmacy — online or on the high street — will always require a valid prescription and a pharmacist’s clinical check. You can verify any UK pharmacy, including ours, on the General Pharmaceutical Council register.
Key points to remember
- Zopiclone is for short-term use only — it is not a long-term solution for insomnia.
- Take it exactly as prescribed, just before bed, and never take a second dose in the same night.
- Never drink alcohol while taking it.
- Read our full guides on side effects and dependence.
Frequently asked questions
Is zopiclone a benzodiazepine?
No. Zopiclone is a “Z-drug” (non-benzodiazepine hypnotic). It works on the same GABA system in the brain as benzodiazepines and carries similar short-term-use rules, but it is a chemically different class of medicine.
Is zopiclone a controlled drug in the UK?
Yes — zopiclone is a Class C controlled drug. This means prescriptions are subject to extra legal controls and it can only be supplied by a pharmacy against a valid prescription.
How quickly does zopiclone start to work?
Most people begin to feel sleepy within around 30 minutes to an hour. Take it immediately before getting into bed, only on nights when you can sleep a full 7–8 hours.
Can I get zopiclone without seeing a doctor?
No. In the UK it always requires an assessment by a prescriber and a valid prescription. Any website offering it without one is operating illegally and its products cannot be trusted.
Questions about your sleep medication? 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.]