Description
Eszop (Eszopiclone) 3 mg
Eszop 3 mg is a tablet formulation containing eszopiclone, a prescription hypnotic medicine used for the treatment of insomnia. The verified active ingredient is eszopiclone, and the medicine is classified as a non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic.
Active Ingredient and Medicine Class
Eszopiclone is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic belonging to the cyclopyrrolone class. It is closely related to zopiclone and is the active S-enantiomer of that compound. Although it is not a benzodiazepine, it acts on a related inhibitory pathway in the brain and is used as a sleep medicine.
Established Medical Uses
The established indication for eszopiclone is the treatment of insomnia. Official prescribing information describes benefit in reducing sleep latency and improving sleep maintenance in adults. Clinical studies supporting approval were conducted in outpatient and sleep-laboratory settings, including studies of short and longer duration.
How It Works
Eszopiclone acts on the central nervous system and is thought to enhance the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, at receptor complexes linked to benzodiazepine binding sites. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, so increasing its activity can help promote sleep. The exact hypnotic mechanism is not fully defined, but its pharmacologic effect is consistent with sedation and improvement in sleep initiation and maintenance.
Important Safety Information
Eszopiclone carries an important boxed warning for complex sleep behaviors, including sleep-walking, sleep-driving, and other activities performed while not fully awake. These events may cause serious injury or death. The medicine is contraindicated in people who have previously experienced such reactions with eszopiclone and in those with known hypersensitivity to the drug.
Because eszopiclone is a central nervous system depressant, it may cause next-day impairment, especially at higher strengths. Concomitant use with other sedating medicines, alcohol, or other CNS depressants can increase risk. Clinically significant interactions may also occur with medicines that inhibit or induce CYP3A4, since this enzyme is an important metabolic pathway for eszopiclone. Caution is also advised in severe hepatic impairment and in older or debilitated patients.
Possible Side Effects
Common adverse effects reported with eszopiclone include unpleasant taste, dry mouth, dizziness, headache, and drowsiness. Other reported effects can include abnormal dreams, nausea, and symptoms of impaired coordination or lightheadedness. More serious reactions may include hallucinations, abnormal thinking or behaviour changes, complex sleep behaviors, angioedema, anaphylaxis, and persistent daytime impairment.
Scientific Evidence
Human clinical trials and reviews have found that eszopiclone can improve both sleep onset and sleep maintenance in adults with insomnia. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials reported improvements in subjective sleep latency, wake after sleep onset, and total sleep time across multiple time points. Earlier reviews also described sustained efficacy in controlled studies lasting up to six months. These findings support its role as a sleep medicine, while also reinforcing the need to consider its safety profile carefully.
Medical Information Notice
This summary is provided for educational purposes only and is based on sources available at the time of review. It does not replace the official patient leaflet, full prescribing information, or assessment by a qualified healthcare professional.
Medical Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration / DailyMed ESZOPICLONE tablet, film coated. Official prescribing information. View official label
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration / DailyMed LUNESTA (eszopiclone) tablet, coated. Official prescribing information. View official label
- Philip I. Hair et al. Eszopiclone: a review of its use in the treatment of insomnia. Drugs, 2008. View scientific article
- Wen Q et al. Eszopiclone for the treatment of primary insomnia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials. Sleep Medicine, 2019. View scientific article
