The FDA is warning that the sleep aid Lunesta (eszopiclone) can cause next-day impairment of driving and other activities that require alertness. As a result, the FDA has decreased the recommended starting dose of Lunesta from 3 mg at bedtime to 1 mg at bedtime. Lunesta is a sedative-hypnotic sleep medicine used to treat insomnia in adults. A recent study found that the previously recommended starting dose of 3 mg can cause impairment of driving skills, memory and coordination that can last more than 11 hours after receiving an evening dose. The new lower recommended dose will result in less drug in the blood the next day. The FDA recommends that patients continue to take their prescribed dose and contact their doctors to ask about the most appropriate dose for them.
[1] FDA Safety Announcement, "FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns of next-day impairment with sleep aid Lunesta (eszopiclone) and lowers recommended dose" May 15, 2014.
[1] FDA Safety Announcement, "FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns of next-day impairment with sleep aid Lunesta (eszopiclone) and lowers recommended dose" May 15, 2014.
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