Zopiclone

[HRazzle]

Hi,

I'm 7 weeks pregnant and still taking 1.8mg or 3.75mg of Zopiclone a night. I'm trying to only take the smaller dose when needed but sometimes I need the full 3.75 (maybe once or twice a week).

I had insomnia before pregnancy and its been hell. Now i'm taking a small dose to help me sleep and allow me to be rested enough to work. I'm terrified i'm harming the baby as there is so much conflicting advice out there. My doctor just gave a little laugh when i told him i take 1.8mg and when i mentioned i was also taking citalopram he had to google if it was safe in pregnancy! (I'm currently looking for a new doctor) .

I'm leaving my job soon and hope i can use the time to get off zopiclone entirely.

Is medication something i can talk to MW about? I have my first appointment next week.

Hi @op

My (male) GP was clueless about medication during pregnancy, and generally I think a lot are.

I eventually saw a female GP who was incredibly kind and told me that it is so much more common than we realise to be on anti anxiety and depressive medication during pregnancy and that I will have no problems staying and also breast feeding on citalopram (I am on 20mg). I was also on propanalol but had to come off of that immediately.

I am also under the perinatal mental health team who have a psychiatrist who knows a lot more about this stuff - I would ask to speak to a different GP, and if they still don't know the answer then ask to be referred to the perinatal mental health team about the zopiclone. Definitely speak to your midwife about it - she can support you and also help guide you in the right direction.

Oh and as an aside - I'm pretty sure Nytol is safe during pregnancy - I know it's not as effective but could be worth a try

I sought advice on this before TTC when I was taking nothing but had previously taken citalopram and was worried it might flare up during pregnancy or when bf’ing and wanted to know in advance what was available. My GP advised at that point that citalopram was not recommended in pregnancy or breastfeeding and that sertaline was the best recommendation instead. Once pregnant my MW and GP sought advice specifically from consultant obstretician and they advised the same: sertaline instead of citalopram. Please also note that both GP and the consultant said that didn’t mean they could tell me it had no effect, that there are some risks (affecting development in first trimester and then if taken in final trimester, risk of baby suffering withdrawal when born, which should be mild but would probably need a little monitoring). They stated it was therefore a question of weighing up potential risks to baby v risks to mother’s mental health. The website BUMP (best use of medicine in pregnancy) sets out what info there is, but generally no one wants to set up trials testing meds on unborn babies and not many women want to subject baby to the same so there’s a dearth of infornation. I managed not to take anything but it is such a difficult time when you’re suffering and trying to get by let alone be glowing and happy. Good luck

Nb it was perinatal MH obstetrician who advised sertaline over citalopram.

I was taking zopiclone (and tramadol and oramorph) prior to pregnancy and had to stop ALL medication for my first trimester GP said unless I was absolutely desperate to wait until I saw my consultant (you should request a consultant appointment if your taking meds)
Consultant put me onto amitryptiline (and am allowed to take tramadol too) instead of the zoppies as apparently they are less harmful to baby. I cant comment on the citalopram as I am not on any meds like this just pain relief and sleepers

Maybe ask a pharmacist as they would have expert knowledge in the medication

I was supposed to start zopiclone on the day I found out I was pregnant but was advised by my psychiatrist not to take it. Agree with the other posters that sertraline is generally the safest AD in pregnancy - I've been told his by my fertility clinic, two psychs, GP and midwife who are all happy for me to stay on it.

Thanks all. Unfortunately i'm not unable to take Sertaline - I've tried it before and i had awful side effects. The Dr seemed to be ok with me taking the citalopram as side effects for baby seemed to be little to none and the health of the mother was more important. But i will be getting a second opinion. I wasn't sure how much the Midwife can help with medication??
I'm in a very remote area so i am limited to choice of doctors (nearest big hospital is 3 hours away)

I'm so worried about the Zopiclone, I need to stop taking it but I really can't sleep much without it. I get very tearful when i don't sleep and so depressed (doesn't bode well for having a baby i know!)

I posted previously but I would speak with the hospital and say you urgently require a consultant appointment to discuss your medication about the zopiclones, they may be happy with you to continue taking them especially if you've been taking them long term, however mine were very insistent I swapped over to the amitryptiline (they are given in low dose as pain relief/ sleeping aid and are used in higher doses as an anti depressant/ sleep aid so may be something they consider for you)
My MW didn't have a clue about medication it was just the consultant who had extensive knowledge of medication during pregnancy

Hi, Can I just ask was everything ok with the rest of your pregnancy and zopiclone?