Eszopiclone: Uses, Safety and Drug Interactions

Eszopiclone: uses, safety and drug interactions

Overview: Eszopiclone is a prescription medicine for insomnia. It is the S-enantiomer of zopiclone, but it is a separately named active medicine with its own product information. This distinction does not make it appropriate to combine eszopiclone with zopiclone or to assume that their doses are equivalent.

Uses and formulation: US tablet studies support both falling asleep and maintaining sleep. Treatment should follow the prescribed formulation and an individualized plan. A full night of uninterrupted sleep is needed after the dose. Taking it with or immediately after a heavy, high-fat meal can delay absorption and reduce its early effect on falling asleep.

Safety: Important risks include next-day driving impairment, falls, unusual thinking and complex sleep behaviours such as sleep-driving. Serious injury can occur even when the person does not remember the event. After a complex sleep behaviour, do not take another dose and contact the prescriber promptly. Slowed breathing, inability to wake or swelling of the tongue or throat require urgent assessment. Pregnancy, breastfeeding and respiratory or liver disease need review; UK and US restrictions differ.

Drug interactions: Alcohol and other sedating medicines can increase impairment. Opioid combinations can cause dangerous sedation and breathing problems. Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors such as clarithromycin, itraconazole and ritonavir can increase exposure, while rifampin, carbamazepine and phenytoin can reduce its effect. UK information has additional restrictions for older patients taking strong inhibitors. Do not compensate for an interaction by changing the dose yourself, and do not add another sleep medicine without professional advice.

Sources

• US prescribing information — eszopiclone tablets
• WHO Collaborating Centre ATC/DDD Index 2026 — N05CF04
• UK SmPC — Lunivia (eszopiclone) 1 mg film-coated tablets
• FDA clinical CYP enzyme and transporter interaction examples

This page provides an English summary of the cited sources. Source check: 30 October 2026. This date records a source check, not a clinical review by a doctor or pharmacist. Follow the current leaflet for your product and seek professional advice for personal treatment.