ESZOPICLONE

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Lunesta

GENERIC NAME(S): ESZOPICLONE

 

Description: Eszopiclone is an S-enantiomer of zopiclone, the exact mechanism of action is unknown, its effect is associated with the interaction with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-receptor complex at binding domains found near to or allosterically coupled to benzodiazepine receptors.

Indications:

This medication is used to treat sleep problems (insomnia). It may help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and lessen how often you wake up during the night, so you can get a better night’s rest.

Use of this medication is usually limited to short treatment periods of 1 to 2 weeks or less.

Contraindications:

Should not be given to patients with known severe allergic reactions to this drug.

How to use eszopiclone

Dosage:

Adults: Start with 1 mg and increase to 2 mg or 3 mg if needed.

Geriatric: Dose should not go beyond 2 mg or 3 mg.

  • Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually just before you get into bed.
  • Do not take it with or right after a high-fat or heavy meal since it may not work as well.
  • That dosage lessens the risk of having trouble safely doing activities requiring alertness the next day (such as driving or operating machinery).
  • This medication may cause withdrawal reactions such as nausea, vomiting, flushing, stomach cramps, nervousness, shakiness), especially if it has been used regularly for a long time or in high doses. To prevent withdrawal reactions, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually.
  • When this medication is used for a long time, it may not work as well.
  • Tell your doctor if your condition persists after 7 to 10 days, or if it worsens.
  • You may have trouble sleeping the first few nights after you stop taking this medication, known as rebound insomnia and is normal. It will usually go away after 1 or 2 nights. If this effect continues, contact your doctor.
  • The effects of this drug can last even after you wake up the next day. If you did not get 7 to 8 hours of sleep or took other medications that made you sleepy or are more sensitive to this drug, you may feel alert but not think clearly enough to drive.

Please see Precautions section.

Side Effects

If any of the following side effects occur while taking eszopiclone, check with your doctor or nurse as soon as possible:

More common

  • confusion—more common in older adults
  • clumsiness or unsteadiness—more common in older adults
  • daytime anxiety and/or restlessness
  • difficulty with coordination—more common in older adults
  • mood or mental changes

Less common

  • Drowsiness (severe)
  • shortness of breath
  • difficult or labored breathing
  • tightness in chest
  • wheezing
  • skin rash
  • aggressiveness
  • behavior changes

If any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking eszopiclone, get emergency help immediately:

  • Clumsiness
  • unsteadiness
  • mental or mood changes
  • drowsiness (severe)
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • sluggishness
  • reduced physical activity
  • unusual sleepiness
  • loss of consciousness

Some of the side effects that can occur with eszopiclone may not need medical attention:

More common

  • Dizziness
  • Dryness of mouth
  • heartburn
  • impaired vision
  • increased appetite
  • indigestion
  • loss of appetite—more common in older adults
  • stomach upset
  • difficulty speaking
  • constipation
  • decreased muscle tone
  • weight loss

Less common

  • Agitation—more common in older adults
  • chills
  • fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat—more common in older adults
  • feeling of heaviness of arms and legs
  • increase in the amount of saliva—more common in older adults
  • increased sweating—more common in older adults
  • tingling, burning or prickly sensation
  • trembling and shaking of fingers, hands, arms, feet, or legs—more common in older adults
  • vomiting—more common in older adults

After you stop taking this drug, it is possible that you may still experience side effects that need medical attention. If you notice any of the following side effects check with your doctor immediately:

  • Abdominal or stomach cramps or pain
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • more difficulty in sleeping than before treatment
  • muscle cramps or discomfort
  • anxiety
  • nervousness
  • irritability
  • restlessness
  • increased sweating
  • tremors
  • seizures

Zopiclone may cause you to have a coated tongue, bad breath, or a bitter taste. These effects are to be expected when you are taking this medicine.

Precautions

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially dizziness, confusion, unsteadiness, and excessive drowsiness. These side effects can increase the risk of falling. Also see the How To Use section.

  • Medical History: Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you had: kidney disease, liver disease, lung/breathing problems (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD, sleep apnea), mental/mood problems (such as depression, thoughts of suicide), personal or family history of regular use/abuse of drugs/alcohol/other substances, personal or family history of sleepwalking, a certain muscle disease (myasthenia gravis).
  • Abnormal thinking or behavioral changes: Some of these changes may be characterized by decreased inhibition (e.g., aggressiveness and extroversion that seem out of character), similar to effects produced by alcohol and other CNS depressants. Other reported behavioral changes have included bizarre behavior, agitation, hallucinations, and depersonalization.

Pregnancy Risk: Category C. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.

Breastfeeding: It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. However, similar drugs pass into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

 

Interactions

  • A product that may interact with this drug is: sodium oxybate.
  • The risk of serious side effects (such as slow/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness/dizziness, decreased alertness) may be increased if this medication is used with other products that may also affect breathing or cause drowsiness. Therefore, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products such as alcohol, other medicine for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, lorazepam), muscle relaxants, and narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine).
  • Eszopiclone is very similar to zopiclone. Do not use medications containing zopiclone while using eszopiclone.

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Symptoms of overdose may include slowed breathing or a deep sleep from which you cannot be awakened.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others. It is against the law.

As you get older, your sleep pattern may naturally change and your sleep may be interrupted several times during the night. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for ways to improve your sleep without medication, such as avoiding caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime, avoiding daytime naps, and going to bed at the same time each night.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, do not take it unless you have time to sleep for 7 to 8 hours afterward. (See also How to Use section.)

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

 

Brands

There are no brands containing this molecule.

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