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Eszopiclone Oral Tablet (ESZOPICLONE - ORAL)

For sleeping.

Brand Name(s): Lunesta

Generic Name: Eszopiclone

Instructions

Do not take this medicine with a high fat meal.

Keep the medicine at room temperature. Avoid heat and direct light.

Sleep medicines should only usually be used for a few days at a time. When sleep medicines are used for more than a few weeks, they may not work as well. Speak with your doctor about how often you should take this medicine to help you sleep.

Drug interactions can change how medicines work or increase risk for side effects. Tell your health care providers about all medicines taken. Include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal medicines. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist before starting or stopping any medicine.

If you have been on this medicine for more than a week, do not suddenly stop taking it without your doctor's approval. It could worsen your symptoms.

Cautions

This medicine can be habit-forming. If you use this medicine regularly for a long time, it can lead to withdrawal symptoms when you stop. Please use this medicine only as directed.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.

Sleep medicines may sometimes cause you to forget what happened while you were on the medicine. To prevent this, try to use this medicine only when you are able to get a full 8 hours of sleep at night.

Do not use the medication any more than instructed.

If possible, avoid using with alcohol, marijuana, or other medicines that can cause dizziness or drowsiness. These include allergy/cold products, muscle relaxers, sleep aids, and pain relievers.

Your ability to stay alert or to react quickly may be impaired by this medicine. Do not operate machinery or drive while on this medicine.

Tell the doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant, planning to be pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Some patients have serious side effects from this medicine. Ask your pharmacist to show you the information from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and discuss it with you.

Side Effects

The following is a list of some common side effects from this medicine. Please speak with your doctor about what you should do if you experience these or other side effects.

  • difficulty concentrating
  • dizziness or drowsiness
  • dry mouth
  • loss of interest or pleasure
  • memory problems or loss
  • stomach upset or abdominal pain
  • changes in taste or unpleasant taste

If you have any of the following side effects, you may be getting too much medicine. Please contact your doctor to let them know about these side effects.

  • decreased awareness or responsiveness
  • loss of balance
  • mood changes
  • unsteadiness while walking

Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you notice any of these more serious side effects:

  • change in behavior
  • shallow, irregular breathing
  • hallucinations (unusual thoughts, seeing or hearing things that are not real)
  • shortness of breath
  • unusual behavior during sleep such as walking, talking, cooking, eating, making phone calls or driving
  • suicidal thoughts

Please speak with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you have any questions about this medicine.