Questions & Answers: Sleep problems and Lunesta

Questions & Answers: Sleep problems and Lunesta

Q. I have chronic problems sleeping. I have heard about a new sleep medicine called Lunesta. Does it have any advantages over other sleep drugs?

A. The short answer is that we don't know yet. Eszopiclone (brand name Lunesta) was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration in December 2004. The special interest in this drug derives from a large controlled study that found it improved sleep quality for as long as six months. Even people taking it every night did not develop tolerance. That is, they didn't have to keep raising the dose to achieve the desired effect. So Lunesta is the first sleep medication where approval won't be limited to short-term (several days) use.