Description
Zunestar (Eszopiclone) 3 mg
Zunestar 3 mg is identified here as a tablet containing eszopiclone, a prescription sedative-hypnotic medicine used for insomnia. Regulatory prescribing information for eszopiclone describes it as a nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic for oral use, with established adult use in the treatment of insomnia.
Active Ingredient and Medicine Class
The verified active ingredient is eszopiclone. It belongs to the nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic group, sometimes described as a “Z-drug.” Although it is structurally unrelated to benzodiazepines, it has some similar pharmacologic effects on the central nervous system.
Established Medical Uses
Eszopiclone is established for the treatment of insomnia in adults. Prescribing information describes improvements in both sleep onset and sleep maintenance in controlled studies. It is not established for pediatric use.
How It Works
The exact hypnotic mechanism is not fully defined. Available prescribing information indicates that eszopiclone is believed to act through interaction with GABA-receptor complexes at binding sites close to, or allosterically coupled to, benzodiazepine receptors. In practical terms, this means it enhances the brain’s sleep-promoting inhibitory signaling, which can reduce the time needed to fall asleep and help sustain sleep.
Important Safety Information
Eszopiclone should be avoided in people with known hypersensitivity to the medicine. Serious allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis and angioedema have been reported. The medicine can cause next-day impairment, reduced alertness, and psychomotor slowing, which may affect driving and other hazardous activities.
Important warnings include complex sleep behaviors such as sleep-walking and sleep-driving, abnormal thinking or behavioral changes, worsening depression, suicidal thinking, and withdrawal symptoms if treatment is stopped abruptly. Eszopiclone is a Schedule IV controlled substance, reflecting potential for abuse and dependence.
Clinically significant interactions are expected with other CNS depressants, including alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, and some antidepressants, because sedative effects may be additive. Exposure to eszopiclone can also increase with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole and some related antifungal or antimicrobial medicines, while CYP3A4 inducers such as rifampicin may reduce its effect.
Possible Side Effects
Commonly reported adverse effects include unpleasant or metallic taste, headache, somnolence, dizziness, dry mouth, and nausea. Other reported effects include abnormal dreams, rash, anxiety, and hallucinations. More serious reactions, although less common, include severe allergic reactions, complex sleep behaviors, mood changes, falls, and severe impairment of alertness the following day.
Scientific Evidence
Human clinical trials and systematic reviews support eszopiclone’s ability to improve insomnia outcomes, including sleep latency, wake time after sleep onset, and total sleep time. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials found statistically meaningful improvements in sleep measures versus placebo. Longer controlled studies also reported benefits on patient-reported sleep and daytime functioning, although the overall clinical value must be interpreted alongside known sedation-related risks.
Medical Information Notice
This page is an educational summary 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 (FDA). LUNESTA (eszopiclone) tablets, for oral use, CIV — Prescribing Information. View official prescribing information
- DailyMed / U.S. National Library of Medicine. Eszopiclone tablets, for oral use — Prescribing Information. View official drug label
- Liang Liang 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
- James K Walsh et al. Nightly treatment of primary insomnia with eszopiclone for six months: effect on sleep, quality of life, and work limitations. Sleep, 2007. View scientific article
