Eszopiclone

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Aug 10, 2022

Directions


How To Use Eszopiclone (Lunesta)

Eszopiclone is available as an oral tablet that you should take by mouth with water. You should not take eszopiclone after eating food. It is especially important to avoid taking it after a heavy meal. Eszopiclone does not work as well if you take it with high-fat foods.

Make sure you read the prescription label carefully. Take eszopiclone exactly as instructed by your doctor. Do not take a higher or lower dose of this medicine or take it more or less frequently than prescribed.

You should take this medicine immediately before you get into bed or if you are in bed already and have been unsuccessful in falling asleep. You will feel very sleepy soon after taking eszopiclone. Make sure you have a minimum of 7-8 hours between the time you take eszopiclone and the time you must get out of bed. Also make sure you go to bed right away after taking the medicine. If you get out of bed after taking eszopiclone, you may experience lightheadedness, dizziness, hallucinations, memory problems, and coordination problems.

Your healthcare provider may adjust the starting dose of eszopiclone based on your response. They may increase the dose to help you sleep better or decrease the dose if you have excessive drowsiness during the daytime. 

Most people note an improvement in sleep within 7-10 days of starting eszopiclone. If your sleep does not improve, gets worse, or you note changes in your behavior, call your doctor right away.

Do not stop eszopiclone without talking to your doctor first. Suddenly stopping eszopiclone can lead to withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, muscle cramps, shakiness, sweating, and even seizures.

You might experience problems falling asleep or staying asleep after you stop treatment with eszopiclone. These effects are temporary and typically get better after the first few nights.

Missed dose: If you forget to take a dose of eszopiclone and are unable to fall asleep, you can take the medicine as soon as you remember, provided you have enough time (at least 7-8 hours) to get a full night’s sleep before you need to get out of bed and be fully awake.

Storage: Store eszopiclone tablets at room temperature (between 15-30° C or 59-86° F) away from moisture, heat, and direct light in a tightly closed container. Do not store medications in the bathroom where they can be exposed to moisture and heat. Keep all medications safely out of reach of children and pets.

Unused medicine: Unused or expired eszopiclone tablets should be disposed of so that children, other people, and pets cannot get to them. Do not throw eszopiclone in the trash or flush it down the toilet. The best way to dispose of expired or unneeded eszopiclone is through a drug take-back program. Learn more about proper medication disposal

NOTEThis medication guide is a summary and may not contain all possible drug information on eszopiclone. The information contained here may not be up-to-date. This sheet is for information purposes only. If you have questions about eszopiclone, talk to your doctor for medical advice.


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