Eszopiclone

Information about Eszopiclone

Eszopiclone uses

Eszopiclone is used in the treatment of insomnia.

How eszopiclone works

Eszopiclone belongs to a group of medicines called sedative-hypnotics. It works by slowing activity of the nerve cells in the brain and helps fall asleep.

Common side effects of eszopiclone

Headache, Taste change, Anxiety, Hallucination, Nausea, Xerostomia, Dyspepsia, Depression, Angioedema (swelling of deeper layers of skin), Thrombophlebitis, Muscle damage, Photophobia, Kidney infection, Gastroenteritis, Gout, Decreased potassium level in blood, Increased levels of blood fat

Available Medicine for Eszopiclone

  • ₹72 to ₹169
    Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd
    2 variant(s)
  • ₹44 to ₹64
    Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd
    2 variant(s)
  • ₹52 to ₹80
    Consern Pharma Limited
    3 variant(s)
  • ₹42 to ₹66
    Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd
    2 variant(s)
  • ₹46 to ₹80
    Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd
    2 variant(s)
  • ₹42 to ₹64
    Psycormedies
    2 variant(s)
  • ₹90 to ₹120
    Ryon Pharma
    2 variant(s)
  • ₹77 to ₹85
    HAB Pharma
    2 variant(s)

Expert advice for Eszopiclone

  • Your doctor has prescribed Eszopiclone to help you fall asleep faster and sleep for longer.
  • It is best taken without food as a high-fat meal can reduce its absorption and effect. 
  • Take it 30 to 45 minutes before bedtime and only when you have time to sleep for at least 7 hours.
  • It makes you feel dizzy next morning. Don't drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how it affects you.
  • It does not affect total sleep time. However,  it reduces sleep onset time and frequent awakening at night.
  • Never share your medication with any other person who also has a sleep problem.
  • Inform your doctor if your sleep doesn’t improve after 7 to 10 days of treatment.
  • Stop taking medication and inform your doctor If you experience sleep driving or memory loss.
  • Inform your doctor if you notice behavioral changes, new or worsening depression or suicidal thoughts.
  • Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding.
  • Inform your doctor if you have a history of depression, drug/alcohol abuse, and liver disease. 
  • Do not stop taking medication suddenly as it may lead to anxiety, mood changes, and restlessness. 

Frequently asked questions for Eszopiclone

Eszopiclone

Q. How long does it take for Eszopiclone to work?
Eszopiclone starts working shortly after you take it. The maximum levels of Eszopiclone are reached within an hour of taking it. Taking Eszopiclone may make you feel sleepy and sleepiness may persist for some time. This is the reason that you should prefer taking Eszopiclone immediately before you go to bed, or after you have gone to bed but could not fall asleep. Moreover, take Eszopiclone only if you know that you will be able to stay in bed for at least 7 to 8 hours after taking the medication.
Q. Does Eszopiclone have abuse potential?
Yes, Eszopiclone does have abuse potential. The risk of abuse increases with the dose and duration of treatment and concomitant use of other psychoactive drugs. The risk is also greater for patients who have a history of alcohol or drug abuse or history of psychiatric disorders.
Q. What are the symptoms of overdose of Eszopiclone?
An overdose of medicine can make you feel confused, drowsy, dizzy, and lightheaded. It may also lead to difficulty in breathing, floppy muscles (hypotonia), and loss of balance which may make you fall over. You may sleep deeply and possibly fall into a coma. The underlying reason of these symptoms could be low blood pressure due to overdose of Eszopiclone.
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Q. How long should I take Eszopiclone?
Treatment should be as short as possible and should not exceed four weeks which includes the period of slowly decreasing the dose. For transient sleeplessness, the recommended duration is 2-5 days and for short lived sleeplessness duration should be 2-3 weeks.
Q. Can I drink alcohol with Eszopiclone?
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking Eszopiclone. Alcohol can increase the effects of Eszopiclone and make you sleep very deeply so that you do not breathe properly or have difficulty waking.
Q. Is Eszopiclone safe to take?
Yes, Eszopiclone is safe to take if taken at the prescribed dose and for a short duration (less than 4 weeks). If the dose and duration is increased then risk of abuse and dependence on the medicine is more likely to occur.
Q. Does Eszopiclone affect memory?
Memory impairment is rare, but may occur, especially when sleep is interrupted or there is a delay in going to bed after taking the tablet. Therefore to reduce such possibility of memory impairment, patients should ensure that they are taking the tablet when they are able to have a full night's sleep (uninterrupted sleep of about 7 to 8 hours).
Q. Can I drive after taking Eszopiclone?
Eszopiclone can cause slowing of your normal brain function (central nervous system depression) which may adversely affect the ability to drive or to use machines. It can be very unsafe if a patient drives within 12 hours of taking Eszopiclone.

Content on this page was last updated on 12 October, 2022, by Dr. Varun Gupta (MD Pharmacology)