Zopiclone and Lunesta (eszopiclone) are two nearly identical hypnotic drugs which depress the central nervous system to help bring sleep to those who suffer from insomnia. The Food and Drug Administration approved eszoplicone for use in December 2004, and zopiclone has been available in Europe since 1992, but wasn't available for prescriptions in the United States as of 2009. The drugs are stereoisomers, with identical chemical sequencing of atoms but slightly different three-dimensional orientation of their atoms. Both drugs have similar side effects.
Long-Term Dependence
Physicians in Europe and the United States prescribe these drugs for short-term help with insomnia. Drugs.com states that the therapeutic treatment period is usually about seven to 10 days. Use beyond that time may result in addiction, dependence on the drugs for sleeping and/or the drugs may lose their effectiveness with increased tolerance.
Sleep Activities
Both zopiclone and Lunesta have been known to cause sleep-walking, driving, cooking, eating, talking on the phone and even having sex without full consciousness. RxList.com states there have also been reports of memory loss of any activities performed while taking the sleep aids.
Behavioral Effects
Both zopiclone and Lunesta can cause the user to act non-characteristically, aggressively and uninhibitedly, and may lead to disregarding normal safety precautions.
Geriatric Confusion and Loss of Motor Control
Elderly users of zopiclone and Lunesta can become confused and disoriented when using the drugs. The Lunesta website states that there is a special danger to frail elderly users, who may feel dizzy from taking these drugs. Geriatric users may become clumsy, confused or unsteady enough to fall and injure themselves when using either sleep aid.
Masks Underlying Maladies
Lunesta and zopiclone can mask mental illnesses or medical conditions which may be the real cause of the insomnia. In addition, an underlying clinical depression may be made worse by using these sleep aids, resulting in hallucinations or erratic and suicidal thoughts.
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