Do you go to bed at night and can't fall asleep for hours? Or do you wake up suddenly in the middle of the night even after falling asleep? This is actually a common problem for many people these days. As a treatment for insomnia, doctors sometimes prescribe medications for a short period of time. Eszopiclone is one such medication. So today, let's talk about these Eszopiclone pills, how to use them, and what things to be careful about.
What is this Eszopiclone?
Simply put, Eszopiclone is a medication for insomnia. It mainly works by helping you fall asleep quickly and stay asleep throughout the night.
The most important thing is that this medicine is usually used only for a short period of time . This is not a medicine that is prescribed for long-term use.
Your doctor may have prescribed this medicine for other reasons, so if you have any questions, ask your doctor.
Things you should tell your doctor before taking medication
Before starting this medication, it is extremely important to inform your doctor about any other medical conditions and habits you have, as this medication may interact with some conditions.
| Your situation | Why do you need to tell the doctor? |
|---|---|
| Depression or other mental illnesses | This medicine can sometimes alter mental states. |
| Liver disease | The medicine is eliminated from the body through the liver. If the liver is weak, the effect of the medicine may be increased unnecessarily. |
| Lung or respiratory disease (e.g., asthma, COPD) | This medicine can slightly slow breathing, so it may affect people with respiratory diseases. |
| Drug or alcohol addiction | This medication also has the potential to be addictive, so the doctor should be aware of that. |
| A history of sleepwalking, eating, or driving | This medication can also cause similar behaviors, so it's risky if that's what happened before. |
| Having thoughts of suicide for themselves or a family member | This medicine can sometimes alter mood and cause or increase such thoughts. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or are a breastfeeding mother | Because the medication can affect the baby, it is essential to talk to the doctor about this. |
How should I use this medicine?
Take this pill with a glass of water. Take the dose exactly as your doctor tells you. The most important thing is to take this pill on an empty stomach and after you are ready to go to bed. That means, don't watch TV or go to work after taking the pill. Take the pill before going to bed.
If you stop taking this medicine suddenly after several weeks, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, you should taper off the dose gradually as directed by your doctor. Never stop taking this medicine on your own. Always follow your doctor's instructions.
What if the dosage of the medicine is increased? (Overdose)
If you think you have taken too much medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never share it with anyone else, including friends and family.
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
There are a few special things you need to pay attention to when using this medicine.
Abnormal sleep behaviors
This is the main warning about this medication. Some people, when taking this medication, may do various things in their sleep without even realizing it. For example:
- Getting up, cooking, and eating.
- Calling people on the phone.
- Driving while asleep.
- Sleepwalking.
Imagine, you take this medicine at night and go to sleep. When you wake up in the morning, there is a plate of leftover food in the kitchen, but you have no memory of eating it. If something like this happens, don't take it lightly. Stop taking the medicine immediately and talk to your doctor.
Feeling sleepy the next day
You should plan to get 7-8 hours of full sleep after taking this medicine. Even if you do, you may feel drowsy, groggy, and unfocused the next morning. Therefore, never drive or operate machinery until you know exactly how this medicine affects you.
Changes in mood and behavior
If you or your family notice a change in your behavior - for example, increasing depression, thoughts of harming yourself, increased anxiety, or irritability - talk to your doctor right away.
Rebound Insomnia
For the first day or two after stopping the medication, you may find yourself having more trouble sleeping than before. This is called rebound insomnia. Don't worry, this usually goes away on its own within a day or two.
What side effects can be seen?
Like any medicine, Eszopiclone can cause side effects. Some of them are serious, while others are common.
| Eszopiclone side effects | |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
| Severe allergic reactions (Allergic reactions / Angioedema) | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, difficulty swallowing or breathing. |
| Central nervous system depression (CNS depression) | Slow or shallow breathing, extreme dizziness, confusion, and drowsiness that cannot be awakened. |
| Changes in mood and behavior | Anxiety, confusion, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts. |
| Abnormal sleep behaviors | Doing things you don't remember, such as driving, eating, or talking while asleep. |
| Common side effects (tell your doctor if these persist) | |
| Dizziness | Feeling sleepy the next day |
| Dry mouth | Metallic taste in the mouth |
| Headache | |
How to keep medicine safe?
Do not keep this medicine within the reach of children. Since this medicine has the potential to be addictive, some people may misuse it. Therefore, keep it in a safe place that can be protected from theft.
If you have unused pills left over, crush them up, mix them with something like cat litter or ground coffee grounds, put them in a tightly sealed container, and throw them away. Do not use expired medicine.
Take-Home Message
- Eszopiclone should only be taken before you go to bed. Make sure you get 7-8 hours of sleep after taking the medicine.
- Do not drive or operate machinery the next morning until you know exactly how this medicine affects you.
- If you experience anything you can't remember, such as sleepwalking, eating, or talking, stop taking the medication immediately and call your doctor.
- This medicine is for you only. Never share it with anyone else.
- Do not stop taking this medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
- Don't forget to tell your doctor about any other medications, herbs, and vitamins you take, as well as alcohol and cigarettes.
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