Opexa Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:OPXA) is a publically traded biotechnology company developing personalized immunotherapies with the potential to treat major illnesses, including multiple sclerosis (MS) as well as other autoimmune diseases, such as neuromyelitis optica (NMO). These therapies are based on Opexa’s proprietary T-cell technology. The Company’s leading therapy candidate, Tcelna®, is a personalized T-cell immunotherapy that is in a Phase IIb clinical development program (the Abili-T trial) for the treatment of Secondary Progressive MS.
Opexa’s mission is to lead the field of Precision Immunotherapy™ by aligning the interests of patients, employees and shareholders.
NICE Guidelines: Zopiclone (Imovan) Risks Dependence and Withdrawal
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline commission (“Medicines Associated with Dependence or Withdrawal Symptoms: Safe Prescribing and Withdrawal Management for Adults”) reports that Zopiclone (Imovan,) a sleep aid sold in 5-7.5mg tablets under the brand names Imovan, Zimovane, and Dopareel, is associated with dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
Zopiclone sleep aids are highly effective and used to treat chronic insomnia. Zopiclone is a nonbenzodiazapine hypnotic drug, which are generally considered to be less addictive. However, zopiclone and other drugs in the Z-class, such as opioids, gabapentin, and pregabalin, are presently recommended to only be prescribed for short periods.
Zopiclone side effects include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, rashes, drowsiness, dry mouth, and headaches. Occasionally, zopiclone has been linked to amnesia, slurred speech, blurred vision, confusion, depression, hallucinations, and nightmares. Zopiclone can also cause lightheadedness, issues with balance, and sleepwalking, which can cause falls. Withdrawal symptoms of zopiclone include feelings of edginess, mood swings, strong cravings lasting 6-8 days, and both increased insomnia and undesired wakefulness.
“Although these medicines can provide lasting symptom management for a proportion of people taking them, they do not work for everyone,” states Dr. Paul Crisp, Director of the Center for Guidelines at NICE, “Many people continue to be prescribed these dependence-forming medicines despite evidence that the risks associated with adverse advents of them outweigh their benefits.”
According to the new NICE guidelines, 9/10 people on zopiclone and other z-class drugs are on them unnecessarily. Because of this low precision in prescribing, the commission recommends weaning patients to a lower dose (7.5mg to 5mg) before ceasing zopiclone entirely. By highlighting the over prescription of Z-class drugs, the new NICE guidelines should promote precision medicine of these potentially addictive medications, reducing the ratio of people on these medications unnecessarily.
“Having the right strategy for withdrawing safely from these medicines is key and that is why these evidence-based guideline recommendations are required to support healthcare professionals and patients,” said Dr. Crisp.
Visit the Opexa Therapeutics website at https://zopiclone.com
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