Eszopiclone Oral Tablet

• Next day drowsiness: Even if you take this drug as prescribed, the next day you may still have significant drowsiness, trouble thinking, mental fogginess, or weakness, even if you feel fully awake. This can happen with all doses, but it’s more likely if you take the 2-mg or 3-mg doses. You shouldn’t drive, use machinery, or do other activities that require alertness the day after taking this drug until you know how it affects you. Next-day drowsiness can also occur if you do not get a full night’s sleep (7 to 8 hours).

You may become tolerant to these effects over time, although this is unlikely with the 3-mg dose. Even if you become tolerant, the day after you use this drug, you should still be cautious with driving or other activities that require you to be alert.

• Abnormal behaviors: This drug can cause abnormal thinking and behavior changes. You may also do activities while you’re not fully awake. These can include sleep driving, preparing and eating food, making phone calls, or having sex. Call your doctor right away if this happens.
• Suicide: Call your doctor right away if you have any suicidal thoughts (thoughts of harming yourself).
• Alcohol use: The use of drinks that contain alcohol can increase your risk of side effects, such as drowsiness, sleepiness, and confusion. You shouldn’t take this drug if you’ve had any alcohol the evening you want to take it.

Eszopiclone is a controlled substance. It’s comes as an oral tablet.

Eszopiclone is available as the brand-name drug Lunesta. It’s also available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less. In some cases, they may not be available in all strengths or forms as the brand-name version.

Why it's used

Eszopiclone is used to treat insomnia. This is a sleep problem that includes trouble falling asleep and staying asleep.

How it works

Eszopiclone belongs to a class of drugs called hypnotics. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

Eszopiclone works by slowing activity in your brain. This allows you to sleep.

Eszopiclone oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with eszopiclone are listed below.

Drugs that cause more side effects

Taking eszopiclone with certain medications may cause more side effects. These drugs include:

• Antipsychotics, such as haloperidol, fluphenazine, and olanzapine. Taking these drugs with eszopiclone may slow your brain function.
• Muscle relaxants, such as baclofen, cyclobenzaprine, or methocarbamol. Taking these drugs with eszopiclone may slow your brain function.
• Antivirals, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, and fluconazole. Taking these drugs with eszopiclone increases your risk of all side effects. Your doctor should watch you more closely for side effects if you take these drugs together.
• Antibiotics, such as clarithromycin, erythromycin, and chloramphenicol. Taking these drugs with eszopiclone increases your risk of all side effects. Your doctor should watch you more closely for side effects if you take these drugs together.
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drugs, such as atazanavir, ritonavir, nelfinavir, and darunavir. Taking these drugs with eszopiclone increases your risk of all side effects. Your doctor should watch you more closely for side effects if you take these drugs together.
• Heart drugs, such as verapamil and diltiazem. Taking these drugs with eszopiclone increases your risk of all side effects. Your doctor should watch you more closely for side effects if you take these drugs together.

Drugs that reduce the amount of eszopiclone in your body

Taking eszopiclone with certain medications reduces the amount of eszopiclone in your body. This means that it may not work as well to treat your insomnia. Examples of these drugs include:

• Antibiotics, such as rifampin, rifabutin, and rifapentine.
• Anticonvulsants, such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, and phenobarbital.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we can not guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

Oral Tablet

All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:

• your age
• the condition being treated
• how severe your condition is
• other medical conditions you have
• how you react to the first dose

Dosage for insomnia

Generic: Eszopiclone

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg

Brand: Lunesta

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years):

• Typical starting dosage: 1 mg once per day, taken right before bedtime.
• Dose increases: Your doctor may increase your dose to 2 mg or 3 mg if lower doses aren’t helping with your sleep problems.
• Maximum dose: 3 mg once per day, taken right before bedtime.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years):

It hasn’t been confirmed that this drug is safe and effective for use in people younger than 18 years. It shouldn’t be used in children.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older):

• Typical starting dosage: 1 mg once per day, taken right before bedtime.
• Maximum dose: 2 mg once per day, taken right before bedtime.

Special dosage warnings

• For all: Don’t take a dose higher than what your doctor prescribed. Higher doses increase your risk of extreme drowsiness.
• For people with severe liver problems: Your total dose shouldn’t be more than 2 mg once per day, taken right before bedtime.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we can not guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.