Eszopiclone at a glance
Medicine class
Non-benzodiazepine hypnotic, or Z-drug.
Licensed use
Severe insomnia in adults.
Taking the tablet
Swallow whole; do not crush or break it.
Food
A large or high-fat meal may delay its sleep-onset effect.
Alertness
Avoid alcohol. Do not drive or undertake hazardous activities for 12 hours after taking it.
What is Eszopiclone used for?
Eszopiclone is licensed for:
Insomnia in adults when it is severe, disabling or causing extreme distress.
How does Eszopiclone work?
Eszopiclone enhances signalling through GABA-A receptor complexes. GABA reduces neuronal activity, which promotes sleep; the precise receptor-level mechanism is not fully established.
Eszopiclone preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg
How to take Eszopiclone
The tablet is taken by mouth and swallowed whole.
Do not crush or break the tablet.
Avoid alcohol and grapefruit juice.
A large or high-fat meal may delay its effect.
Eszopiclone side effects
Common or expected effects
- Unpleasant or altered taste
- Headache
- Sleepiness or dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Nausea, vomiting, indigestion, diarrhoea or abdominal pain
- Abnormal dreams or memory difficulty
- Blurred vision
- Anxiety, nervousness or low mood
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction, including facial or throat swelling
- Slow or difficult breathing
- Sleepwalking, sleep-driving or other complex sleep behaviours
- Severe confusion, hallucinations, aggression or markedly unusual behaviour
- Dependence, significant withdrawal symptoms or seizures after stopping
Eszopiclone in pregnancy
Eszopiclone is not recommended during pregnancy because human data are limited and the risk is uncertain. Exposure late in pregnancy may cause newborn breathing depression, low muscle tone, low temperature or withdrawal. Promptly discuss pregnancy or plans for pregnancy with the prescriber.
Eszopiclone while breastfeeding
Eszopiclone should not be used while breastfeeding. It is unknown whether eszopiclone or its active metabolite enters human milk, and a risk to the infant cannot be excluded. Discuss alternatives with the prescriber.
Eszopiclone interactions
Check prescribed, non-prescription and herbal products before starting eszopiclone.
Alcohol
Increases sedation, impaired coordination and the risk of complex sleep behaviours; avoid it.
Opioids
Additive sedation can cause respiratory depression, coma or death; combined use requires close clinical oversight.
Other central nervous system depressants
Antipsychotics, anxiolytics, sedative antihistamines, antiepileptics and muscle relaxants can increase sedation and impairment.
Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors
Azole antifungals, some macrolide antibiotics and grapefruit juice can raise eszopiclone exposure. Potent inhibitors are contraindicated in older adults.
Common questions about Eszopiclone
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is eszopiclone used for?
It is licensed for severe insomnia in adults when the condition is disabling or causing extreme distress.
Is eszopiclone the same as zopiclone?
No. Eszopiclone is the active S-isomer contained within racemic zopiclone.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.