Eszopiclone Withdrawal

Eszopiclone the generic name for lunesta, is a commonly prescribed sleeping pill in the USA. Eszopiclone is the active stereoisomer in zopiclone. Zopiclone has been available around the world for decades so essentially they are the same drug. Eszopiclone works via the benzodiazepine receptor similar to benzodiazepine drugs. When eszopiclone is taken for weeks or months, the drug gradually becomes less effective due to the development of physiological drug tolerance. Once a person has become tolerant to eszopiclone and physical dependence on eszopiclone has developed withdrawal symptoms will typically develop on discontinuation or dosage reduction of eszopiclone. Common withdrawal symptoms from eszopiclone may include anxiety, insomnia, muscular spasms, paranoia, agitation and perceptional problems. More serious withdrawal symptoms may occur such as psychosis or convulsions if eszopiclone is discontinued abruptly after chronic use. The withdrawal symptoms from eszopiclone are very similar to benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms.

Eszopiclone, although molecularly different to benzodiazepine sedative hypnotic drugs, is deceptively called a non-benzodiazepine drug despite the fact that it works the same way on brain cells via the benzodiazepine receptor complex. Other so called non-benzodiazepine drugs include zolpidem also known by the brand name ambien and zaleplon also known by the brand name sonata.

The best way to withdraw from eszopiclone is by substituting eszopiclone for a pharmacological equivalent dose of diazepam also known as valium. To understand why a switch over to diazepam is the prefered method for withdrawing from eszopiclone or zopiclone please read this article for the reasons for a diazepam cross over.

It is best to gradually cross over to diazepam over a period of about 4 weeks, to allow the body to adjust to the diazepam. Below is a suggested guide for withdrawing from eszopiclone using diazepam. It is important to note however, that the rate with which different individuals can withdraw can vary with some people able to reduce more quickly or other people needing to reduce more slowly than others. The eszopiclone withdrawal chart below is just a guide.

Withdrawing from Eszopiclone
Withdrawing from 3 mg of Eszopiclone using 2 mg Diazepam tablets.
Follow or Adapt Table From Your Starting or Current dose
Morning	Lunch Time	Evening	Before Bed	Total Daily Dose
			Eszopiclone 3 mg	Eszopiclone 3 mg
Cross over can be done in 4 stages instead of 2 stages or even more slowly if any difficulties are encountered during this suggested cross over to diazepam section.
Stabalise for 1 - 3 weeks
			Eszopiclone 1.5 mg + 5 mg of Diazepam	Eszopiclone 1.5 mg + 5 mg of Diazepam
Stabalise for 1 - 3 weeks
			Diazepam 10 mg	Diazepam 10 mg
Stabalise for 1 - 3 weeks
At this stage you should be stabalising on the diazepam and ready to start making some small reductions in dosage.
			Diazepam 9 mg	Diazepam 9 mg
Hold reduction for 3 - 4 weeks
			Diazepam 8 mg	Diazepam 8 mg
Hold reduction for 3 - 4 weeks
			Diazepam 7 mg	Diazepam 7 mg
Hold reduction for 3 - 4 weeks
			Diazepam 6 mg	Diazepam 6 mg
Hold reduction for 3 - 4 weeks
See also NOTE below for additional information on withdrawing from 5 mg of diazepam
			Diazepam 5 mg	Diazepam 5 mg
Hold reduction for 3 - 4 weeks
			Diazepam 4.5 mg	Diazepam 4.5 mg
Hold reduction for 3 - 4 weeks
			Diazepam 4 mg	Diazepam 4 mg
Hold reduction for 3 - 4 weeks
			Diazepam 3.5 mg	Diazepam 3.5 mg
Hold reduction for 3 - 4 weeks
			Diazepam 3 mg	Diazepam 3 mg
Hold reduction for 3 - 4 weeks
			Diazepam 2.5 mg	Diazepam 2.5 mg
Hold reduction for 3 - 4 weeks
			Diazepam 2 mg	Diazepam 2 mg
Hold reduction for 3 - 4 weeks
			Diazepam 1.5 mg	Diazepam 1.5 mg
Hold reduction for 3 - 4 weeks
			Diazepam 1 mg	Diazepam 1 mg
Hold reduction for 3 - 4 weeks
			Diazepam 0.5 mg	Diazepam 0.5 mg
Drop Last 0.5 mg dose of diazepam and Never Take Another Benzodiazepine Again
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Gradual Diazepam Detox Complete

NOTE: Some people find it difficult in the final stages of withdrawal from 5 mg of diazepam to zero. If you are one of these people it may be of value asking your doctor to provide you with the 2 mg per 5 ml diazepam liquid suspension, and obtaining a 1 ml syringe from your local pharmacy/drug store/chemist. Users can then obtain smaller dose reductions than the 0.5 mg sized cuts using tablets. See this page on SLOW WITHDRAWAL FROM DIAZEPAM using liquid suspension diazepam.