Eszopiclone is a sleeping pill. It helps you fall asleep if you have problem sleeping (also known as insomnia).
Take Eszopiclone exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take it just before you go to bed. It will take effect almost immediately. You may also take it after you have gone to bed but cannot fall asleep. Take this medicine only when you can get a full night's sleep (7-8 hours) before being active again.
Do not take this medicine with or right after a meal.
Inform your doctor if this medicine does not seem to help you or you still have trouble sleeping after 7-10 days.
If you are taking Eszopiclone over a certain period of time, do not stop taking it suddenly as this may worsen your condition. Your doctor will gradually reduce the dose before stopping it completely. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Eszopiclone is used to help you sleep. You may not need to take it every day. Take it only when you need it. If you miss a dose, take it at your next scheduled dose.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
Alert your doctor if you have a history of unusual sleep behaviours after taking other sleeping pills (e.g. sleepwalking, sleep-driving) as Eszopiclone may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history of mental health problems
- history of alcohol or drug abuse
- depression
- compromised lung function
- sleep apnoea (sleep disorder that causes interrupted breathing during sleep)
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD (a long-term lung disease that causes airflow obstruction making it hard to breathe)
- other diseases or conditions that may affect the body process or blood circulation
- severe liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Eszopiclone to the elderly or debilitated individual (physically or mentally weak, usually due to illness or old age). Elderly people and debilitated individuals may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Take Eszopiclone only when you need to. Try not to make a habit of relying on this medicine to help you sleep.
Practise good sleeping habits to reduce reliance on sleeping pills. These are some good sleeping habits which you should follow:
- Try to relax before bedtime. Do not engage in strenuous activities.
- Try to go to bed at about the same time every night.
- Have a light dinner. A heavy dinner may disturb your sleep.
- Avoid caffeine in the evening. Caffeine-containing food and drinks include coffee, tea, certain soft drinks and even chocolate.
- Avoid drinking alcohol before bedtime.
- Keep your bedroom quiet, dark and airy.
- Avoid taking naps, especially in the late afternoon.
Eszopiclone may cause drowsiness and difficulty with concentration, memory, and coordination. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, dizziness, itching, pain, abnormal dreams, dry mouth, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, and changes in taste.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- abnormal activities during sleep e.g. driving, cooking, eating and walking while you are still asleep
- unusual changes in mood or behaviour (being too depressed, agitated, or seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not existent)
- having thoughts of self-harm
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other medicines used for insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
- strong painkillers
- medicines to treat depression e.g. nefazodone
- medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole
- medicines for HIV infection e.g. ritonavir, nelfinavir
- certain antibiotics e.g. clarithromycin, troleandomycin
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenytoin, carbamazepine
- rifampicin (medicine to treat TB [lung infection known as tuberculosis])
- St. John's wort (herbal medicine)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Eszopiclone.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol. Alcohol intake may worsen the drowsiness caused by Eszopiclone.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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