Eszopiclone

Generic Name : Eszopiclone

Why it is prescribed (Indications) : Eszopiclone is used on a short-term basis to treat insomnia-to help you fall asleep and stay asleep through the night. Eszopiclone is in a class of medications called hypnotics. It works by slowing activity in the brain.

When it is to be taken : Eszopiclone is taken at bedtime when needed. Plan to go to bed right after you take Eszopiclone, and to stay in bed for at least 8 hours. If you do not go to bed right after you take Eszopiclone or if you get up too soon after taking Eszopiclone, you may experience dizziness, lightheadedness, hallucinations and problems with coordination and memory.

How it should be taken : Eszopiclone comes as a tablet to be taken by mouth. It is usually taken once a day at bedtime. Swallow the tablets whole; do not split, chew, or crush them. Do not take Eszopiclone with or after a heavy, high-fat meal. Eszopiclone may not work well if it is taken with high fat foods. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully. Do not take Eszopiclone for more than 1-2 weeks without consulting your doctor.

Special Instruction :
Eszopiclone may make you dizzy. Therefore stay in bed after taking the drug. The dizziness may persist until the next day, and your coordination and alertness may be decreased. Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
2. Since Eszopiclone can be habit-forming, do not take more of it or take it for a longer period than prescribed.
3. To prevent an accidental overdose, do not keep more than one dose at your bedside. If you accidentally take too much Eszopiclone, contact your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
4. If you have been taking Eszopiclone for a long time, you may have withdrawal symptoms when you stop. You may have more difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep than you did before you took the medication. These sleep problems are normal and usually get better without treatment after one or two nights.

Side Effects :
1. Eszopiclone may cause side effects like drowsiness, headache, dizziness, cold like symptoms, painful menstruation (periods), breast enlargement in males, decreased sexual desire, daytime drowsiness and loss of coordination. It can also cause gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting and heartburn. Consult your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away.
2. Eszopiclone may cause other side effects like rash, itching, chest pain, swelling of the hands and feet, painful or frequent urination, bloody or cloudy urine, and back pain. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately.

Other Precautions :
1. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any medical conditions like depression, mental illness, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, a group of diseases that affect the lungs and airways), or any other conditions that affects your breathing, or liver disease
2. Do not take other sleeping pills while taking Eszopiclone. Do not drink alcoholic beverages. Alcohol adds to the drowsiness and dizziness caused by this drug.
3. Before you take this drug, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking. Be sure to inform your doctor if you are taking amiodarone,; antidepressants; antifungals such as fluconazole, itraconazole and ketoconazole (Nizoral); antihistamines; carbamazepine (Tegretol); cimetidine clarithromycin ; cyclosporine; danazol; delavirdine; dexamethasone (Decadron); diltiazem; ethosuximide; erythromycin; fluoxetine; fluvoxamine; HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir, nelfinavir, and ritonavir; isoniazid; medications for anxiety, mental illness, or seizures; metronidazole (Flagyl); nefazodone; olanzapine; oral contraceptives (birth control pills); phenobarbital; phenytoin; rifabutin; rifampin; sedatives; sleeping pills; tranquilizers; troglitazone; troleandomycin; verapamil ; and zafirlukast. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
4. Women who are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, think they may be pregnant, or are breast-feeding should tell their doctors. If you become pregnant, while taking the medication contact your doctor immediately.
5. You should know that your mental health may change in unexpected ways while you are taking this medication. Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: aggressiveness, strange or unusually outgoing behavior, hallucinations, feeling as if you are outside of your body, memory problems and depression.
6. Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.

Storage Conditions :
1. Keep this medication in the container it came in and out of the reach of children.
2. Store it at room temperature.