zopiclone

[prairiewolf]

I was taking 100mgs oxycodone a day for chronic back and knee pain, 900mgs gabapentin also for chronic pain, also 3(7.5mg) zopiclone at night to sleep and 1.5(7.5mg) during the day to sleep. I have stopped the oxycodone cold  turkey with bad withdrawals, now at 13 days. My question is can I safely stop the zopiclone cold  turkey or do I need to slowly taper off it?

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

Yes, it is. :) It is a very short acting medication, actually out of your system within several hours of you taking it. So, don't worry. You are going to be fine, may be unable to fall asleep, but if you are not worried about it, it will be ok. Eventually, you will sleep.

[prairiewolf]

I thank you for your helpful answer, I also forgot to mention that I was on oxycodone for about 10 years so that was a little hard to stop but don't like what it has robbed from me,and turned me into, I just was feed up and want  (my) a life back. The zopiclone has probably been 3 years everyday so I hope that still makes it okay to just stop?

[Julia M Aharonov, DO]

You do not need to taper Zopiclone. You can take it as needed whenever you want. You can stop it it without adverse consequences (other than insomnia, of course).  I do encourage you to continue your gabapentin, however. It is a very helpful medication for a few months after the withdrawal of opiates. Good for you for quitting. Stay strong!