TaperCommunityeszopiclone
Boxed Warning
Complex sleep behaviors (boxed warning class effect for Z-drugs).
Eszopiclone is the active S-isomer of zopiclone, a non-benzodiazepine Z-drug for insomnia. Longer half-life than zolpidem allows it to address sleep-maintenance insomnia, but also increases next-day impairment.
1mg, 2mg, 3mg tablets
Tablets: 1mg, 2mg, 3mg
Category C
Positive allosteric modulator of the GABA-A receptor — less subunit-selective than zolpidem.
Slow taper. 1mg increments where possible.
Same approach as other Z-drugs — hyperbolic taper, behavioral sleep tools, manage rebound insomnia without adding another sedative.
1-3 days after stopping
4-7 days
2-6 weeks
Sleep architecture can take 1-3 months to renormalize
Toxicity
Same class effects as zolpidem: complex sleep behaviors, next-day impairment, respiratory depression with CNS depressants. Distinctive metallic/bitter taste.
Lunesta (eszopiclone) information on this page is sourced from peer-reviewed research, regulatory bodies, clinical guidelines, and patient-advocacy organizations.
Neutral, high-authority entity references.
Official prescribing information and safety notices.
Primary literature cited in this taper guide.
Evidence-based deprescribing and prescribing standards.
Clinician-facing references on tapering protocols.
Long-running communities documenting withdrawal experience.
TaperCommunity does not provide medical advice. Always consult a qualified prescriber before adjusting psychiatric medication.
Pharmacokinetics
Hepatic via CYP3A4 and CYP2E1.
~52-59%
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