Zopiclone in insomniac shiftworkers

Abstract

Fifty adult insomniac shiftworkers (47 males and 3 females) between the ages of 22 and 55 participated in this two-week, double-blind comparative study of the hypnotic properties and effects on mood and work performance of zopiclone 7.5 mg and placebo. All subjects took inactive medication on the first night of the study and then received either zopiclone or placebo for the following 13 nights according to randomization. Pre-study variables included a demographic profile, medical history, physical examination, laboratory data, profile of insomnia and work shift pattern description. A sleep questionnaire along with mood and work performance questionnaires were filled out on Days 1, 2, 4, 9 and 12 of the study; on Days 7 and 14, adverse events were recorded. After the first placebo night, subjects assigned to receive zopiclone showed significantly improved sleep induction; from the second night on, a distinct pharmacological effect over placebo was observed and maintained since statistically significant increases in quantitative sleep induction and sleep soundness (qualitative and quantitative) were noted during the course of zopiclone treatment. Active hypnotic treatment did not interfere with morning awakening and functioning, nor did it affect mood or work performance. Zopiclone treatment produced significantly more taste disturbance and drowsiness. In summary, zopiclone was shown to be an effective, fast-acting hypnotic which maintained its efficacy over a two-week period in our sample of insomniac shiftworkers and did not produce mood changes or influence work performance.

Health-related interventions among night shift workers: a critical review of the literature

“…Eight pharmacological interventions met inclusion criteria (24,(61)(62)(63)(64)(65)(66)(67) (table 6). Mean study quality score was 18.1 (range: 11-24).…”

“…Zopiclone (7.5 mg) was administered in two different study groups which reported insomnia: workers at a security company and a car manufacturing plant. Zopiclone had positive effects on total sleep time (61, 67) and quality (67), as well as sleep efficacy (61) and induction (67). Three studies evaluated the use of Modafinil or…”

Therapeutics for Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders

“…Several studies have used benzodiazepine receptor agonist hypnotics. For example, treatment with temazepam (20 mg) single dose administered at bedtime, increased daytime sleep duration, but did not improve nighttime sleepiness [115], and zopiclone (7.5 mg), taken 30 minutes before bedtime, increased sleep quality in shift workers without negatively impacting night work performance [116]. …”

A scoping review of the evidence for the impact of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions on shift work related sleep disturbance in an occupational setting

“…Figure 1 presents a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram showing reasons for study exclusions. In total, eight of the included trials were randomised controlled trials 12,[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] . The remainder were cross-over [22][23][24] and a parallel group design [25][26][27] .…”

“…Five trials applied ICSD criteria for SWD in use at the time of the study; these were all studies of stimulants 12,14,15,20,26,27 . Interventions evaluated were hypnotic [21][22][23][24][25] and stimulant drugs 12,14,15,20,26,27 , cognitive behaviour therapy 17 , aromatherapy 18 , light therapy 19 and Shimian granules (a form of a Chinese herbal medicine) 16 . With one exception, the studies of hypnotics were carried out between 1989 and 2008, stimulants between 2005 and 2012 and the non-pharmacological interventions since 2013.…”