Am J Perinatol 1999; 16(4): 157-160
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-993850
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1999 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Pregnancy Outcome Following First-Trimester Exposure To Zopiclone: A Prospective Controlled Cohort Study

Orna Diav-Citrin, Bunmi Okotore, Kristen Lucarelli, Gideon Koren
  • Motherisk Program, Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pediatrics, Research Institute, the Hospital for Sick Children and the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
04 March 2008 (online)

ABSTRACT

Background & Aim: Zopiclone, a cyclopyrrolone derivative, is a short-acting hypnotic. To date, no published data exist regarding human pregnancy experience with zopiclone. The purpose of this study was to compare pregnancy outcome following first-trimester exposure to zopiclone with that of a matched control group of women, who were counseled for nonteratogenic exposure. Methods: The Motherisk Program, the Toronto Teratogen Information Service, prospectively collected and followed up 40 women exposed to zopiclone during pregnancy. Pregnancy outcome was compared with that of a matched control group of women, who were counseled for nonteratogenic exposure. Results: There was no increase in the rate of major malformations (0 of 31 [0%] for zopiclone vs. 1 of 37 [2.7%] for nonteratogenic controls; p = 1). Conclusions: Our study, which is the first cohort on zopiclone use during embryogenesis, albeit small, suggests that zopiclone does not appear to be a major human teratogen. Larger studies are needed to establish its safety during pregnancy.

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