Does anyone have experience with Zimovane?

[muse]

My husband has recently had some pretty disturbed nights with sweats and working himself up into some kind of panic (to the point that I had to take him to A&E in the early hours of Monday morning as he won't listen to me, only gets worked up even more trying to convince me that there's something seriously wrong - but he'll take anything a doctor tells him as gospel, so now I won't even try, just find a doctor...). They did the usual tests and couldn't find anything physically wrong with him, so sent us home again. Back home at 4am, panic dispelled, he went straight to bed and to sleep, and I needed a bit of time to calm down with a bit of music and a cigarette. Thinking that we might both have a bit of a lie-in in the morning, I texted a colleague to say I'd be late in to work. But my husband woke me up at the usual time...
Today he had an appointment with his GP. We told him all about these incidents and he prescribed some “Zimovane” (Zopiclone – a drug in the hypnotics category). After reading up on this drug , I’m a bit concerned. I realise that the potential side effects always sound much worse than the effect they have on most people, but does anyone have experience with this type of drug with a dementia sufferer?
Any advice welcome.
Thanks
Kathy

[Helen33]

Dear Kathy,

Zopiclone is a known sleeping tablet. They are highly addictive. They didn't work on Alan who has fronto temperal lobe dementia and after 2 nights on them he had a stroke (I have been assured that there is no connection). I have had them myself in the past when experiencing severe insomnia and they are wonderful and that is probably why they are so addictive. For me to provide a good nights sleep without any grogginess in the morning. In fact, I feel really happy in the mornings after having had Zopiclone.

Have you wondered whether these disturbances might be sundowning when the person with the disease can be experiencing heightened agitation and confusion?

Love and best wishes

[Varan]

Hi Kathy. Zopiclone's addictive properties are highly debatable. It is a drug of abuse, certainly, particularly when taken with alcohol or other drugs of abuse.
Personally, I would suggest that it should be used only with caution with a person suffering from dementia, particularly if they also experience periods of anxiety or agitation as it is likely to increase the risk of falls and other domestic risks due to confusion. Have a look at this link, it's a bit 'siencey', sorry! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zopiclone