Eszopiclone; Zopiclone/Erythromycin
This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug or commencing any course of treatment.
Medical warning:
Moderate. These medicines may cause some risk when taken together. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.
How the interaction occurs:
Erythromycin may speed up how quickly your body absorbs your hypnotic from your intestines and may slow down how quickly your liver processes your hypnotic.
What might happen:
Your hypnotic may start working sooner than normal while you are taking erythromycin and you may notice an increase in side effects such as headaches, dry mouth, or drowsiness.
What you should do about this interaction:
Let your healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) know that you are taking these medicines together. If you have excessive drowsiness, contact your doctor. Your doctor may want to change the dose of your hypnotic while you are taking erythromycin. Use caution and know how these medicines affect you before driving or operating machinery.Your healthcare professionals may already be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
References:
1.Aranko K, Luurila H, Backman JT, Neuvonen PJ, Olkkola KT. The effect of erythromycin on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of zopiclone. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1994 Oct;38(4):363-7.
2.Imovane (zopiclone) Australian prescribing information. Aventis Pharma March 9, 2004.
3.Lunesta (eszopiclone) US prescribing information. Sepracor Inc. January, 2008.
