Drug Notes

Eszopiclone (By mouth)

Eszopiclone (es-zoe-PIK-lone)

Treats insomnia.

Brand Name(s):

Lunesta

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• Use this medicine only when you cannot sleep. You do not need to keep a schedule for taking it.
• This medicine should not be taken with food or right after a heavy meal.
• This medicine works quickly. Do not take it until right before you go to bed.
• Do not take this medicine if you are not able to sleep for 7 to 8 hours before you need to be active again.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some foods and medicines can affect how eszopiclone works. Tell your doctor if you are using clarithromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, rifampin, ritonavir, or troleandomycin.
• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.
• Do not take this medicine before bed if you drank alcohol during the evening.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver or lung disease. Also tell him if you have ever been addicted to alcohol or drugs, or if you have a history of depression or mental illness.
• Tell your doctor if you develop any unusual thoughts or behaviors, such as aggression, confusion, hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there), anxiety, depression, or thoughts of hurting yourself.
• You may still feel dizzy or drowsy the next day after you use this medicine. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine may cause you to do things while you are still asleep that you may not remember the next morning, such as driving a car, having sex, or eating food. Tell your doctor right away if you learn that this has happened.
• This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.
• Call your doctor if you still have trouble sleeping after you take this medicine for 7 to 10 days.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Anxiety, aggression, confusion, depression, or thoughts of hurting yourself
• Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches
• Seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• A bad taste in your mouth, or dry mouth
• Daytime drowsiness or dizziness
• Headache

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017