[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Z-drug hypnotics](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/z-drug-hypnotics/) › Eszopiclone

[Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) · [Z-drug hypnotics](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/z-drug-hypnotics/)

# Eszopiclone

The S-enantiomer of zopiclone, a Z-drug for falling and staying asleep. A bitter taste and next-day impairment are common.

Updated 2026-11-01

- Class: [Z-drug hypnotics](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/z-drug-hypnotics/)
- Receptor: GABA-A receptor (α1-containing), benzodiazepine site
- ATC code: N05CF04

◎**GABA-A receptor (α1-containing), benzodiazepine site**Eszopiclone

ⓘ The figure shows zolpidem, another Z-drug that acts at the same benzodiazepine site, bound to the human GABA-A receptor; no structure with eszopiclone is available.

**Target in 3D:** GABA-A receptor (α1-containing), benzodiazepine site. PDB structure 8DD2 (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/8DD2) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

## Mechanism of action

Eszopiclone is an agonist at the benzodiazepine site of the GABA-A receptor and strengthens GABA-gated chloride currents. It shortens the time to fall asleep and improves sleep maintenance.

- Binds the benzodiazepine site of the GABA-A receptor
- GABA's chloride current grows stronger
- Faster sleep onset and fewer awakenings

## Pharmacokinetics

**Metabolism**
In the liver by CYP3A4 and CYP2E1

**Half-life**
About 6 hours

## Indications

- Insomnia: difficulty falling or staying asleep [Insomnia disorder →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/insomnia-disorder/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Unpleasant (bitter) taste
- Headache and dizziness
- Drowsiness

### Serious (rare, important)

- Complex sleep behaviours with serious injury or death
- Next-day impairment of alertness and driving

## Contraindications

- Previous complex sleep behaviour after eszopiclone
- Hypersensitivity to eszopiclone

## Key interactions

**Alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines and other central nervous system depressants**
Additive sedation and impaired breathing and driving

**Ketoconazole (strong CYP3A4 inhibitor)**
Higher eszopiclone exposure

**Rifampicin**
Lower eszopiclone exposure

## What is monitored

- Next-day alertness
- Unusual night-time behaviours

## Administration and safety

- Given by mouth right before bed, only when a full night in bed is possible
- Lower dose in older adults
- Controlled medicine

## Nursing care

- Check how the person slept, next-morning alertness and falls
- Ask about alcohol and other sedatives
- Teach to take it only when a full night in bed is possible and not to drive the next morning if drowsy
- Teach to report sleepwalking, sleep-driving or other actions done while not fully awake

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Human data are not enough to define a risk; animal studies showed no malformations.

## Memory aid

Eszopiclone: «ES = the S-half of zopiclone» – same bitter taste, same sleep-driving warning.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## What is eszopiclone chemically?

The S-enantiomer of racemic zopiclone.

## Which adverse effect of eszopiclone affects taste?

An unpleasant, bitter taste.

## Which two enzymes break down eszopiclone?

CYP3A4 and CYP2E1.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/eszopiclone/)

## Related drugs

- [Zopiclone](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/zopiclone/)
- [Zolpidem](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/zolpidem/)

## Related conditions

- [Insomnia disorder](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/insomnia-disorder/)

[← Back to the class: Z-drug hypnotics](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/z-drug-hypnotics/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [DailyMed - ESZOPICLONE tablet, film coated](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=bb972d36-4b2c-45ae-8504-3a16d352dd8b) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=N05CF04) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/eszopiclone/
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