Z drugs are a group of medicines that slow down messages between the brain and the body. They can make you feel sleepy and calm.
Z drugs include zolpidem and zopiclone. They come as tablets.
Doctors may prescribe Z drugs to treat severe sleep problems for a short time. Z drugs are similar to benzodiazepines.
Drugs sold as Z drugs in the illegal drug market are often fake. They may contain other drugs or chemicals made to mimic the effects of Z drugs.
The information on this page is about non-medical use of Z drugs.
We have other advice about medical use of:
What we mean by non-medical use of a medicine
Non-medical use is when someone uses a medicine in a way that does not follow medical guidelines.
This can include when someone uses a medicine:
- they bought in the illegal drug market - this can be online or in person
- that was not prescribed to them
- in a different way or quantity than their doctor prescribed
Drug category: depressant
Depressants slow down messages between your brain and body. They can make you feel relaxed and drowsy. They also affect your breathing, memory and coordination.
Effects of Z drugs
The effects of Z drugs can vary depending on:
- your size, weight and sex
- if you have any health conditions or mental health difficulties
- how you take the drug
- the strength of the drug
- how much you take
- if you take alcohol, medicines or other drugs at the same time
- where you take the drug and how you feel before you take it
- if you have taken the drug before and how often
The effects of zolpiclone can start after 1 hour and last around 5 hours.
The effects of zolpidem can start after 30 minutes and last around 3 hours.
How you may feel or behave
You may feel:
- calm or relaxed
- drowsy, forgetful or confused
- intense wellbeing or happiness (euphoria)
- irritable
- anxious
Effects on your brain and body
Z drugs slow down your thinking, heart rate and breathing.
They can also cause:
- short-term memory loss
- slurred speech
- blurred vision
- nausea (feeling sick)
- vomiting (getting sick)
- headaches
- dizziness
- problems with movement or coordination - this can lead to accidents or injuries
In rare cases, Z drugs can cause hallucinations. This is when you see, hear and feel things that are not there.
Z drugs and mental health
Regular use of Z drugs may cause:
- low mood
- depression
- anxiety
- problems sleeping
Doctors only prescribe Z drugs to treat severe sleep problems for a few days or weeks. This is because they become less effective the more you use them.
There are things you can do if you are worried about sleep problems or anxiety.
Z drugs and dependency
Regular use of Z drugs can cause:
- tolerance - when you need to take more of the drug to get the same effects
- dependency
Signs of dependency can include:
- cravings for a drug
- withdrawal symptoms
- continuing to use a drug even when it causes you harm
Withdrawal symptoms
If you stop taking Z drugs after regular use, you may get withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal symptoms can include:
- sleep problems
- anxiety or panic attacks
- headaches
- nausea
- vivid dreams or nightmares - this is a sign that your sleep is returning to normal
- seizures (fits)
It is not safe to suddenly stop taking Z drugs without medical advice.
If you want to stop taking Z drugs, you can get support from:
- your GP or practice nurse
- a pharmacist
- a drug service
Gradually reducing your dose helps to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
How long do Z drugs stay in your system?
It can be hard to know how long Z drugs stay in your system.
There are tests to detect Z drugs. But different types of tests have different detection times.
Things that affect how long a drug stays in your system
The time it takes for a drug to leave your system depends on many things.
For example:
- how much you took
- how often you take the drug
- how strong the drug was
- your age, sex and metabolism
- your general health
Reducing risks from Z drugs
It’s always safest not to take drugs or medicines that are not prescribed to you. The strength and contents of Z drugs sold in the illegal drug market can vary. This can happen even if they are packaged like a medicine.
There are ways to reduce the risk of harm if you take Z drugs without medical advice. Select a piece of advice to find out more.
Consider if there is extra risk for you - such as health conditions or how you feel.
There are always risks if you use drugs. But some people may be more at risk than others.
If you or someone in your family has any health conditions or mental health difficulties, you may be more at risk of a drug emergency.
For example, if you have:
- breathing conditions such as asthma or sleep apnoea
- heart problems
- mental health difficulties
- liver or kidney problems
It can be hard to know your level of risk. Some people have health conditions and do not know it.
If you feel low, anxious or stressed, you are more at risk of a negative or challenging experience.
Be with people you trust - use a buddy system if possible.
Pick a meeting point and look out for each other. Do not use alone.
Prepare a plan with your buddy on what to do in case of an emergency.
This may be that you both agree to:
- learn the signs of an overdose
- call the emergency services
- stay with the other person until help arrives
Start with a small amount and wait 2 hours before you take more.
This is to reduce the risk of an overdose or drug emergency.
The contents or strength of drugs can vary, even in the same batch.
If you start with a small amount, you can:
- see how you react
- stop if you get an effect you did not expect or do not want
For example, a quarter of a pill.
It can take up to 2 hours for some effects to happen. If you take too much too soon, it increases your risk.
Only use 1 substance at a time.
Using Z drugs with alcohol, medicines or other drugs can have unpredictable and negative effects. Mixing drugs is always more risky.
Stay in a safe place away from risks such as heights, roads or water.
This is to reduce the risk of accidents or injuries. Z drugs can affect your control of your body and make you less aware of your surroundings.
Consider less risky ways of using if you inject Z drugs.
Tablets contain ingredients to hold the tablet together or add bulk. These ingredients can cause damage or infections in your veins, heart or lungs.
Find safe ways to cope with comedowns.
Using drugs or alcohol to cope with comedowns can make you feel worse.
Try to:
- get enough sleep or rest
- eat well
- keep in contact with friends and check if they are OK too
- talk to someone you trust about how you feel if you had a negative experience or witnessed something that worries you
- do some light activity, such as a walk - it releases chemicals in your brain that improve your mood (endorphins)
- do some relaxation exercises to manage stress, anxiety and worry
- take regular breaks from drugs and alcohol
- get medical advice if you have thoughts or feelings that worry you
Plan a safe way to get home.
It is dangerous to drive if drugs are in your system. You could harm yourself or other people. A drug can still be in your system even if you do not feel the effects.
Think about your sexual health.
Z drugs can reduce your inhibitions.
There are things you can do to look after yourself and your partners if you could have sex when you take drugs.
Know what to do in case of a drug emergency.
If you take any kind of drug, it is important to know:
- signs of a drug emergency, including signs related to mental health
- what to do in case of overdose or other emergencies
An overdose can be a life-threatening condition. It happens when someone has too much of a drug or another substance in their system.
Getting help can prevent serious damage or death. Your wellbeing is the main priority.
Mixing Z drugs with alcohol or other drugs
There is a high risk of overdose or death if you mix Z drugs with substances that slow down messages between the brain and the body.
For example:
- alcohol
- opioids such as heroin
- methadone
- pregabalin (Lyrica)
- G (GHB or GBL)
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 if
you or someone else has taken Z drugs and has:
- problems breathing
- severe drowsiness or loses consciousness
- cold and clammy skin - white skin may turn blue, black or brown skin may turn grey
- thoughts of suicide
- severe distress, confusion or panic
Stay with the person until help arrives.
Tell the medics everything you know about the drug and give them any leftover drug if possible. It will help them decide the right treatment.
If you are worried about Z drugs
If you are worried about your own or someone else’s use, you can get support. This can be when drug use affects your health, relationships, work or other areas of your life.
Non-urgent advice: Drugs and alcohol helpline
You can contact the helpline for support, information or advice on treatment and support options.
Freephone: 1800 459 459
Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm
Email: helpline@hse.ie