Eszopiclone
About Eszopiclone
Eszopiclone is an oral prescription medication used to treat insomnia in adults. It is specifically designed to help people who have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. By addressing these sleep challenges, Eszopiclone helps you achieve a more restful night and improves your overall sleep patterns.
For best results, Eszopiclone should be taken consistently exactly as prescribed by your doctor. You should take it immediately before bed, and it is best taken on an empty stomach because heavy, high-fat meals can delay how quickly the medicine is absorbed. Incorporating healthy sleep hygiene habits—such as keeping your bedroom quiet and dark—can further support your treatment results.
While taking Eszopiclone, you may experience mild and temporary side effects, such as an unpleasant metallic taste in your mouth or daytime drowsiness. However, if you experience serious side effects like severe mood changes, memory loss, or complex sleep behaviors like walking or driving while asleep, you must stop taking the medicine and consult your doctor immediately.
Talk to your doctor before starting Eszopiclone if you have a history of liver damage, depression, mental health conditions, or respiratory issues. Do not take this if you have ever experienced complex sleep behaviors (such as sleepwalking, sleep-driving, or preparing food while asleep) after taking a sleep medication.
Eszopiclone can interact with alcohol, other sleep aids, and certain medications that cause drowsiness, which can lead to extreme sleepiness and slowed breathing. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an elderly individual, consult your healthcare provider before starting this treatment, as a lower dose may be required to prevent excessive daytime sleepiness or falls.
Uses of Eszopiclone
Medicinal Benefits
Eszopiclone helps improve sleep by making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. By promoting restful sleep, it supports better daytime functioning and overall well-being.
Benefits may include:
- Helps reduce the time taken to fall asleep.
- Supports longer and more restful sleep with fewer nighttime awakenings.
- Improves overall sleep quality and sleep continuity.
- Helps reduce daytime tiredness caused by poor sleep.
- Promotes better alertness, concentration, and energy during the day.
- Supports overall physical and mental well-being through improved sleep.
Directions for Use
- Eszopiclone should be taken on an empty stomach. Avoid taking it immediately after a meal or with a high-fat meal.
- It is recommended to take Eszopiclone once daily before bedtime or as advised by your doctor.
- Swallow Eszopiclone as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Eszopiclone
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Unpleasant, bitter, or metallic taste in the mouth
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness or sleepiness during the day
- Headache or dizziness
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Performing activities while asleep (such as sleepwalking, sleep-driving, making phone calls, or preparing food) without any memory of the event
- Severe allergic reactions (such as swelling of the tongue, face, or throat, severe rash, itching, or breathing difficulties)
- New or worsening symptoms of depression, anxiety, or thoughts of self-harm
- Severe confusion, hallucinations, or memory loss
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Plan for a full night's sleep: Only take this medication when you are certain you can stay in bed for a full 7 to 8 hours.
- Avoid next-day driving if drowsy: Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or perform hazardous tasks the morning after taking Eszopiclone if you feel sluggish, drowsy, or dizzy.
- Do not mix with alcohol: Never drink alcohol while taking Eszopiclone, as the combination can cause dangerous levels of sedation and breathing problems.
- Do not share your medication: Eszopiclone can be habit-forming. Never share it with anyone else, even if they have similar sleep problems.
- Monitor your behavior: Ask a family member or partner to watch for any unusual nighttime behaviors, such as sleepwalking or talking while asleep, and report them to your doctor immediately.
Drug Interactions
- Medicines that cause drowsiness (e.g., sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medicines, muscle relaxants, opioid pain relievers): Taking these alongside Eszopiclone may cause excessive drowsiness, slow breathing, dizziness, and impaired coordination.
- Certain antifungal medicines and antibiotics (e.g., ketoconazole, clarithromycin): These medicines may increase the amount of Eszopiclone in the body, raising the risk of side effects.
- Tuberculosis medicines (e.g., rifampin): These medicines may reduce the effectiveness of Eszopiclone by increasing its breakdown in the body.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeIt is advised to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Eszopiclone. Alcohol intake, along with Eszopiclone, may cause increased dizziness and drowsiness. Please consult your doctor for more information.
Pregnancy
cautionIt is not known if Eszopiclone affects pregnancy. Eszopiclone should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit outweighs the risk. Please consult your doctor before taking Eszopiclone if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known if Eszopiclone is excreted into the breast milk. Please consult your doctor before taking Eszopiclone if you are a breastfeeding mother.
Driving
unsafeEszopiclone may make you feel dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive if you are not mentally alert or experience any symptoms that affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Please wait for at least eight hours after taking this drug before driving.
Liver
cautionPlease consult your doctor before using Eszopiclone to suffer from any severe liver impairment/liver disease.
Kidney
cautionPlease consult your doctor before using Eszopiclone to suffer from any severe kidney impairment/kidney disease.
Children
unsafeEszopiclone is not recommended in people below 18 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Establish a sleep schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends, to regulate your body's natural sleep-wake cycle.
- Avoid evening stimulants: Do not consume caffeine, chocolate, or nicotine in the late afternoon or evening, as these substances can interfere with your ability to fall asleep.
- Limit alcohol intake: Avoid drinking alcohol, especially close to bedtime. While alcohol may make you drowsy, it disrupts sleep quality and increases the risk of sleep behaviors like sleepwalking when combined with this medication.
- Optimize your sleep environment: Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool. Use comfortable bedding and consider blackout curtains or white noise machines to minimize sleep disruptions.
- Avoid heavy pre-bedtime meals: Eat light dinners and avoid heavy or high-fat meals late in the evening, as they can interfere with how your body absorbs this medication.
Special Advise
- Let your doctor know that you are taking Eszopiclone if you are undergoing any medical tests.
- It is advised to monitor your blood pressure and blood sugar levels regularly while using Eszopiclone.
- Inform your doctor if your sleep does not improve even after using Eszopiclone for a week.
- Liver function tests are recommended before and after the treatment with Eszopiclone since it is metabolized in the liver.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Insomnia: It is a sleep disorder which makes it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. Insomnia can be short-term (acute), transient or can last a long time (chronic). Acute insomnia usually lasts from one night to a few weeks. Transient insomnia lasts for less than a week and is caused by stress, depression or changes in the sleeping environment. Chronic insomnia is a condition where you find trouble sleeping for at least three nights a week for three months or more. There are two types of insomnia: Primary and Secondary. Primary insomnia is a sleep problem that is not associated with other health conditions, whereas secondary insomnia is caused due to various conditions like asthma, depression, arthritis, cancer, heartburn, pain, and medications or substance use like alcohol.
FAQs
Eszopiclone is used to treat sleep problems or insomnia.
Eszopiclone contains 'Eszopiclone', a sedative-hypnotic drug. It produces a calming effect on the brain by increasing the activity of certain natural substances in the brain. This helps in falling asleep and thus treats insomnia, a sleeping problem.
Eszopiclone should be used with caution in the medical history of liver or kidney diseases, heart problems, lung/breathing problems (sleep apnoea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)), mood disorders (depression, suicidal thoughts), glaucoma, overuse of drugs or alcohol, personal or family history of sleepwalking, and muscle diseases like myasthenia gravis. Please let your doctor know if you have any other medical problems before starting Eszopiclone.
Eszopiclone may start working shortly in one hour. Hence, it is advised to take Eszopiclone before going to bed. Also, take Eszopiclone only if you could spend the next 7-8 hours of your time to stay in bed.
Eszopiclone have abuse potential and has the possibility of being misused. Hence it is only advised to take Eszopiclone in the prescribed duration by the doctor. The risk of abuse is greater in people with a history of substance use and alcohol consumption. It is highly recommended to seek medical advice before you start Eszopiclone.
Eszopiclone is safe to take in prescribed dose for a shorter duration for less than four weeks. Your doctor will provide more information on dose and duration of Eszopiclone based on your sleep problem.
Behaviours like sleep-walking, sleep-driving, and engaging in other activities when you are not fully awake may occur while using Eszopiclone. In such cases, discontinue using Eszopiclone immediately and seek medical emergency.
Take Eszopiclone only as prescribed by the physician. Seek immediate medical attention if you have taken more than the prescribed dose. An overdose of Eszopiclone can be fatal, especially when taken along with other medicines that can cause drowsiness. Symptoms of overdose may include shallow/slow breathing and deep sleep from which you cannot be awakened.
You should take Eszopiclone for as long as your doctor has prescribed it. It is usually recommended for short-term use (7-10 days). It is essential to follow the prescribed dosage regimen, as long-term use may increase the risk of side effects, including dependency or tolerance. If you continue to experience sleep problems, please inform your doctor.
It is not recommended to drink alcohol while taking Eszopiclone. Alcohol may increase the risk of side effects, such as drowsiness and dizziness. Please consult your doctor for more information.
Eszopiclone may cause temporary memory problems in some people. You might experience difficulty remembering things or feel forgetful, especially if you do not get a whole night's sleep or wake up too early after taking Eszopiclone. This is more likely to occur if the medication is not taken as prescribed. If you notice any memory issues, consult your doctor.
Driving after taking Eszopiclone is not recommended, as it may cause drowsiness and dizziness. Do not drive if you are not mentally alert or experience any symptoms that affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. Please wait for at least eight hours after taking this medication before driving.
Eszopiclone may cause side effects such as headache, dizziness, taste changes, dry mouth, chills, cough, fever, hoarseness (abnormal voice changes), lower back or side pain, painful or difficult urination, and drowsiness. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
No, you should not take Eszopiclone in the middle of the night. It must only be taken if you have a full 7 to 8 hours remaining for sleep before you need to be active. Taking it with less sleep time remaining can cause severe morning drowsiness. Talk to your doctor for advice on managing middle-of-the-night awakenings.
Yes, an unpleasant, bitter, or metallic taste is one of the most common side effects reported by people taking Eszopiclone. This effect is usually harmless, but if it becomes bothersome or prevents you from eating properly, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
You should not stop taking Eszopiclone suddenly without consulting your healthcare provider first. Stopping abruptly after using it regularly can cause withdrawal symptoms or lead to rebound insomnia, where your sleep problems temporarily return. Talk to your doctor about how to safely gradually decrease your dose.
You should consult your healthcare provider before using Eszopiclone if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and risks to determine if this treatment is safe for you and your baby. Talk to your doctor for personalized advice.
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