Urgent warning over contaminated sleeping drug after death

The insomnia drug has left several in hospital

Police are warning of a potentially contaminated batch of sleeping pills (PA Archive)

Police investigating the death of a man linked to a sleeping medication have issued a warning.

Seven people have also been taken to hospital after taking the sleeping medication Zopiclone, prompting concerns over a “potential contaminated batch”.

Zopiclone is only legally available on prescription in the UK. The NHS says it is used for short-term treatment of severe insomnia.

Cleveland Police said it had received reports on Friday of the adults being taken to North Tees General Hospital in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham.

The force is also investigating the death of one man thought to have taken the drug.

Police said six of the group admitted on Friday have been discharged and one remains in hospital for “unrelated matters”.

“Officers are warning drug users of a potentially contaminated batch which could cause significant illness or lead to an overdose”, they added.

Zopiclone, usually used to treat insomnia, takes around an hour to work and helps users to fall asleep faster and stop waking in the night.

The drug is usually taken as a tablet but doctors can order it in liquid form.

It triggers a calming chemical in the brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), according to the NHS website.

The NHS warns against drinking alcohol after taking the drug because it can induce a “deep sleep where you find it difficult to wake up”.

Side effects include hallucinations, falls, amnesia, depression and delusions.

Users can become dependent on Zopiclone, the NHS said, and it is prescribed for just two to four weeks because it becomes less effective as the body gets used to it.

Cleveland Police added: “Police will continue to engage with the community in and around the local area following the recent incidents.

“Inquiries are in the early stages as we aim to establish the full circumstances of what has occurred.”

In November last year three thousand Zopiclone tablets which are believed to have been imported from overseas were seized by the force. Officer warned they could include ingredients which pose a health risk to anyone taking them.

Anyone with information on the incident are asked to contact police quoting the reference number 122076.