Zopiclone is a short-term treatment for insomnia. It is a hypnotic drug designed to help a person fall asleep more quickly and stay asleep longer, notes Patient UK. Zopiclone is usually taken for 7 to 10 days; it should never be taken for more than four weeks as it may cause drug dependency. Side effects may include dizziness, nausea and headache. There are several other medications available that treat insomnia as well.
Zolpidem
Zolpidem is an oral drug marketed under the brand name, Ambien, in the United States. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, it is the most frequently-prescribed sleeping drug on the market. Zolpidem is a short-acting non-benzodiazepine like zopiclone, and also like zopiclone, is recommended for short-term use only. According to MedlinePlus, sleep should improve within 7 to 10 days of taking zolpidem. It should be take just before bedtime. Side effects may include weakness, a feeling of being drugged, changes in appetite and headache.
Eszopiclone
Eszopiclone is a sedative that belongs to the same class of drugs as zolpidem. It is an oral drug for the short-term use of insomnia. Like zolpidem and zopiclone it should ideally only be used for 7 to 10 days; patients who do not see any improvement after taking eszopiclone for this length of time should consult their doctors. According to Drugs.com, it may cause a severe allergic reaction in some patients. It may also affect thinking and reaction time. Common side effects include day-time drowsiness, headache, mild skin rash and nervousness.
Alternative Medicine
U.K. health care provider Bupa notes that alternative medicines may help relieve insomnia. The herb, valerian may be an effective treatment for insomnia, though Bupa notes that there are no clinical trials to prove this. Other alternative medicines used to treat insomnia include kava, melatonin and tryptophan. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that over 1.5 million Americans use alternative medicine to help treat insomnia. Although they are often perceived as harmless, the UMMC recommends people seek medical advice before using alternative treatments for insomnia, as alternative medicines can have harmful side effects and interact with other medicines.
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