eszopliclone

Roxane Laboratories, Inc.
Roxane Laboratories, Inc.

HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATIONThese highlights do not include all the information needed to use Eszopiclone Tablets safely and effectively. See full prescribing information for Eszopiclone Tablets.Eszopiclone Tablets, for oral use, CIVInitial U.S. Approval: 2004INDICATIONS AND USAGEEszopiclone Tablets are indicated for the treatment of insomnia. Eszopiclone Tablets have been shown to decrease sleep latency and improve sleep maintenance. (1)DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • Non-Elderly Adults: 2 mg starting dose immediately before bedtime. May start or increase to 3 mg if clinically indicated since 3 mg is more effective for sleep maintenance (2.1) • Elderly: For difficulty falling asleep 1 mg immediately before bedtime. For difficulty staying asleep 2 mg immediately before bedtime (2.1) • Severe Hepatic Impairment: Starting dose 1 mg (2.1) • Patients Taking Concomitant Potent CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Do not exceed a 1 mg starting dose. Maximum dose is 2 mg (2.1) •Do not take with or immediately after a meal (2.1) DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHSTablets: 1 mg, 2 mg, and 3 mg (3)CONTRAINDICATIONSKnown hypersensitivity to eszopiclone (4)WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Evaluate for Co-Morbid Diagnoses: Reevaluate if insomnia persists after 7 to 10 days of use (5.1) • Severe Anaphalactic/Anaphylactoid Reactions (angioedema and anaphylaxis have been reported): Do not rechallenge if such reactions occur (5.2) • Abnormal thinking, Behavioral Changes (e.g., hallucinations, complex behaviors (e.g., “sleep-driving”)): Immediately evaluate if occurs (5.3) • Worsening of Depression or Suicidal Thinking may occur: Prescribe the least number of tablets feasible to avoid intentional overdose (5.3, 5.7) • Withdrawal Effects (symptoms may occur with rapid dose reduction or discontinuation) (5.4, 9.3) • CNS Depressant Effects: Use can impair alertness and motor coordination. If used in combination with other CNS depressants, dose reductions may be needed due to additive effects. Do not take together with ethanol (5.5, 5.7, 7.1) • Elderly Patients: Use lower dose due to impaired motor, cognitive performance and increased sensitivity (2.1, 5.7) • Patients with hepatic impairment, impaired respiratory function, impaired drug metabolism or hemodynamic responses: Use with caution (5.7) Side EffectsMost commonly observed adverse reactions (incidence ≥2%) were unpleasant taste, headache, somnolence, respiratory infection, dizziness, dry mouth, rash, anxiety, hallucinations, and viral infections (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Roxane Laboratories, Inc at 1-800-962-8364 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. DRUG INTERACTIONS • CNS Depressants: Additive CNS-depressant effects with combination use. Use with ethanol causes additive psychomotor impairment (7.1) • Rifampicin: Combination use may decrease exposure to and effects of eszopiclone (7.2) • Ketoconazole: Combination use increases exposure to and effect of eszopiclone. Dose reduction of eszopiclone is needed (7.2) USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS • Pregnancy: Based on animal data, may cause fetal harm (8.1) • Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness not established. The labeling for Sunovion Pharmaceutical Inc.’s eszopiclone tablets includes additional information from a clinical study in which efficacy was not demonstrated in pediatric patients. However, due to Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that pediatric information (8.4)

FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION: CONTENTS*

• 1 ESZOPLICLONE INDICATIONS AND USAGE
• 2 ESZOPLICLONE DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
  • 2.1 Dosage in Adults
• 3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS
• 4 ESZOPLICLONE CONTRAINDICATIONS
• 5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
  • 5.1 Need to Evaluate for Co-Morbid Diagnoses
  • 5.2 Severe Anaphylactic and Anaphylactoid Reactions
  • 5.3 Abnormal Thinking and Behavioral Changes
  • 5.4 Withdrawal Effects
  • 5.5 CNS Depressant Effects
  • 5.6 Timing of Drug Administration
  • 5.7 Special Populations
• 6 ESZOPLICLONE ADVERSE REACTIONS
  • 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience
  • 6.2 Post-Marketing Experience
• 7 DRUG INTERACTIONS
  • 7.1 CNS Active Drugs
  • 7.2 Drugs that Inhibit or Induce CYP3A4
• 8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS
  • 8.1 Pregnancy
  • 8.3 Nursing Mothers
  • 8.4 Pediatric Use
  • 8.5 Geriatric Use
  • 8.6 Hepatic Impairment
• 9 DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE
  • 9.1 Controlled Substance
  • 9.2 Abuse
  • 9.3 Dependence
  • 9.4 Tolerance
• 10 OVERDOSAGE
  • 10.1 Signs and Symptoms
  • 10.2 Recommended Treatment
• 11 ESZOPLICLONE DESCRIPTION
• 12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
  • 12.1 Mechanism of Action
  • 12.3 Pharmacokinetics
• 13 NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY
  • 13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
• 14 CLINICAL STUDIES
  • 14.1 Transient Insomnia
  • 14.2 Chronic Insomnia (Adults and Elderly)
  • 14.3 Studies Pertinent to Safety Concerns for Sedative Hypnotic Drugs
• 16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING
• 17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION
• Medication Guide
• NDC 0054-0290-25
• NDC 0054-0291-25
• NDC 0054-0292-25

FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Eszopiclone Tablets are indicated for the treatment of insomnia. In controlled outpatient and sleep laboratory studies, Eszopiclone Tablets administered at bedtime decreased sleep latency and improved sleep maintenance.

The clinical trials performed in support of efficacy were up to 6 months in duration. The final formal assessments of sleep latency and maintenance were performed at 4 weeks in the 6-week study (adults only), at the end of both 2-week studies (elderly only) and at the end of the 6-month study (adults only).

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

2.1 Dosage in Adults

The dose of eszopiclone should be individualized. The recommended starting dose for eszopiclone for most non-elderly adults is 2 mg immediately before bedtime. Dosing can be initiated at or raised to 3 mg if clinically indicated, since 3 mg is more effective for sleep maintenance [see Warnings and Precautions (5)].

Use in Geriatric Patients
The recommended starting dose of eszopiclone for elderly patients whose primary complaint is difficulty falling asleep is 1 mg immediately before bedtime. In these patients, the dose may be increased to 2 mg if clinically indicated. For elderly patients whose primary complaint is difficulty staying asleep, the recommended dose is 2 mg immediately before bedtime [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)].

Use in Patients with Hepatic Impairment
The starting dose of eszopiclone should be 1 mg in patients with severe hepatic impairment. Eszopiclone should be used with caution in these patients.

Use with CYP3A4 Inhibitors
The starting dose of eszopiclone should not exceed 1 mg in patients coadministered eszopiclone with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors. If needed, the dose can be raised to 2 mg.

Use with CNS depressant
Dosage adjustments may be necessary when eszopiclone is combined with other CNS depressant drugs because of the potentially additive effects [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].

Administration with Food
Taking eszopiclone with or immediately after a heavy, high-fat meal results in slower absorption and would be expected to reduce the effect of eszopiclone on sleep latency [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS

Eszopiclone tablets are available as 1 mg, 2 mg, and 3 mg strengths for oral administration.

The 1 mg tablets are round, white, film-coated tablets debossed with product identification “54 746” on one side and plain on the other side.

The 2 mg tablets are round, white, film-coated tablets debossed with product identification “54 029” on one side and plain on the other side.

The 3 mg tablets are round, white, film-coated tablets debossed with product identification “54 396” on one side and plain on the other side.

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS

Eszopiclone Tablets are contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to eszopiclone. Hypersensitivity reactions include anaphylaxis and angioedema [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

5.1 Need to Evaluate for Co-Morbid Diagnoses

Because sleep disturbances may be the presenting manifestation of a physical and/or psychiatric disorder, symptomatic treatment of insomnia should be initiated only after a careful evaluation of the patient. The failure of insomnia to remit after 7 to 10 days of treatment may indicate the presence of a primary psychiatric and/or medical illness that should be evaluated . Worsening of insomnia or the emergence of new thinking or behavior abnormalities may be the consequence of an unrecognized psychiatric or physical disorder. Such findings have emerged during the course of treatment with sedative/hypnotic drugs, including eszopiclone. Because some of the important adverse effects of eszopiclone appear to be dose-related, it is important to use the lowest possible effective dose, especially in the elderly [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)].

5.2 Severe Anaphylactic and Anaphylactoid Reactions

Rare cases of angioedema involving the tongue, glottis or larynx have been reported in patients after taking the first or subsequent doses of sedative-hypnotics, including eszopiclone. Some patients have had additional symptoms such as dyspnea, throat closing, or nausea and vomiting that suggest anaphylaxis. Some patients have required medical therapy in the emergency department. If angioedema involves the tongue, glottis or larynx, airway obstruction may occur and be fatal. Patients who develop angioedema after treatment with eszopiclone should not be rechallenged with the drug.

5.3 Abnormal Thinking and Behavioral Changes

A variety of abnormal thinking and behavior changes have been reported to occur in association with the use of sedative/hypnotics. Some of these changes may be characterized by decreased inhibition (e.g., aggressiveness and extroversion that seem out of character), similar to effects produced by alcohol and other CNS depressants. Other reported behavioral changes have included bizarre behavior, agitation, hallucinations, and depersonalization. Amnesia and other neuropsychiatric symptoms may occur unpredictably. In primarily depressed patients, worsening of depression, including suicidal thoughts and actions (including completed suicides), has been reported in association with the use of sedative/hypnotics.

Complex behaviors such as “sleep-driving” (i.e., driving while not fully awake after ingestion of a sedative-hypnotic, with amnesia for the event) have been reported. These events can occur in sedative-hypnotic-naïve as well as in sedative-hypnotic-experienced persons. Although behaviors such as sleep-driving may occur with eszopiclone alone at therapeutic doses, the use of alcohol and other CNS depressants with eszopiclone appears to increase the risk of such behaviors, as does the use of eszopiclone at doses exceeding the maximum recommended dose. Due to the risk to the patient and the community, discontinuation of eszopiclone should be strongly considered for patients who report a “sleep-driving” episode. Other complex behaviors (e.g., preparing and eating food, making phone calls, or having sex) have been reported in patients who are not fully awake after taking a sedative-hypnotic. As with sleep-driving, patients usually do not remember these events.

It can rarely be determined with certainty whether a particular instance of the abnormal behaviors listed above are drug-induced, spontaneous in origin, or a result of an underlying psychiatric or physical disorder. Nonetheless, the emergence of any new behavioral sign or symptom of concern requires careful and immediate evaluation.

5.4 Withdrawal Effects

Following rapid dose decrease or abrupt discontinuation of the use of sedative/hypnotics, there have been reports of signs and symptoms similar to those associated with withdrawal from other CNS-depressant drugs [see Drug Abuse and Dependence (9)].

5.5 CNS Depressant Effects

Eszopiclone, like other hypnotics, has CNS-depressant effects. Because of the rapid onset of action, eszopiclone should only be ingested immediately prior to going to bed or after the patient has gone to bed and has experienced difficulty falling asleep. Patients receiving eszopiclone should be cautioned against engaging in hazardous occupations requiring complete mental alertness or motor coordination (e.g., operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle) after ingesting the drug, and be cautioned about potential impairment of the performance of such activities on the day following ingestion of eszopiclone. Eszopiclone, like other hypnotics, may produce additive CNS-depressant effects when coadministered with other psychotropic medications, anticonvulsants, antihistamines, ethanol, and other drugs that themselves produce CNS depression. Eszopiclone should not be taken together with alcohol. Dose adjustment may be necessary when eszopiclone is administered with other CNS-depressant agents, because of the potentially additive effects.

5.6 Timing of Drug Administration

Eszopiclone should be taken immediately before bedtime. Taking a sedative/hypnotic while still up and about may result in short-term memory impairment, hallucinations, impaired coordination, dizziness, and lightheadedness.

5.7 Special Populations

Use in Elderly and/or Debilitated Patients
Impaired motor and/or cognitive performance after repeated exposure or unusual sensitivity to sedative/hypnotic drugs is a concern in the treatment of elderly and/or debilitated patients. The recommended starting dose of eszopiclone for these patients is 1 mg [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)] .

Use in Patients with Concomitant Illness
Clinical experience with eszopiclone in patients with concomitant illness is limited. Eszopiclone should be used with caution in patients with diseases or conditions that could affect metabolism or hemodynamic responses.

A study in healthy volunteers did not reveal respiratory-depressant effects at doses 2.5-fold higher (7 mg) than the recommended dose of eszopiclone. Caution is advised, however, if eszopiclone is prescribed to patients with compromised respiratory function.

The dose of eszopiclone should be reduced to 1 mg in patients with severe hepatic impairment, because systemic exposure is doubled in such subjects. No dose adjustment appears necessary for subjects with mild or moderate hepatic impairment. No dose adjustment appears necessary in subjects with any degree of renal impairment, since less than 10% of eszopiclone is excreted unchanged in the urine.

The dose of eszopiclone should be reduced in patients who are administered potent inhibitors of CYP3A4, such as ketoconazole, while taking eszopiclone. Downward dose adjustment is also recommended when eszopiclone is administered with agents having known CNS-depressant effects.

Use in Patients with Depression
Sedative/hypnotic drugs should be administered with caution to patients exhibiting signs and symptoms of depression. Suicidal tendencies may be present in such patients, and protective measures may be required. Intentional overdose is more common in this group of patients; therefore, the least amount of drug that is feasible should be prescribed for the patient at any one time

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.

The premarketing development program for eszopiclone included eszopiclone exposures in patients and/or normal subjects from two different groups of studies: approximately 400 normal subjects in clinical pharmacology/pharmacokinetic studies, and approximately 1550 patients in placebo-controlled clinical effectiveness studies, corresponding to approximately 263 patient-exposure years. The conditions and duration of treatment with eszopiclone varied greatly and included (in overlapping categories) open-label and double-blind phases of studies, inpatients and outpatients, and short-term and longer-term exposure. Adverse reactions were assessed by collecting adverse events, results of physical examinations, vital signs, weights, laboratory analyses, and ECGs.

The stated frequencies of adverse reactions represent the proportion of individuals who experienced, at least once, adverse reaction of the type listed. A reaction was considered treatment-emergent if it occurred for the first time or worsened while the patient was receiving therapy following baseline evaluation.

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

Adverse Reactions Resulting in Discontinuation of Treatment
In placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trials in the elderly, 3.8% of 208 patients who received placebo, 2.3% of 215 patients who received 2 mg eszopiclone, and 1.4% of 72 patients who received 1 mg eszopiclone discontinued treatment due to an adverse reaction. In the 6‑week parallel-group study in adults, no patients in the 3 mg arm discontinued because of an adverse reaction. In the long-term 6-month study in adult insomnia patients, 7.2% of 195 patients who received placebo and 12.8% of 593 patients who received 3 mg eszopiclone discontinued due to an adverse reaction. No reaction that resulted in discontinuation occurred at a rate of greater than 2%.

Adverse Reactions Observed at an Incidence of ≥2% in Controlled Trials
Table 1 shows the incidence of adverse reactions from a Phase 3 placebo-controlled study of eszopiclone at doses of 2 or 3 mg in non-elderly adults. Treatment duration in this trial was 44 days. The table includes only reactions that occurred in 2% or more of patients treated with eszopiclone 2 mg or 3 mg in which the incidence in patients treated with eszopiclone was greater than the incidence in placebo-treated patients. 

Table 1: Incidence (%) of Adverse Reactions in a 6-Week Placebo-Controlled Study in Non-Elderly Adults with EszopicloneReactions for which the eszopiclone incidence was equal to or less than placebo are not listed on the table, but included the following: abnormal dreams, accidental injury, back pain, diarrhea, flu syndrome, myalgia, pain, pharyngitis, and rhinitis.

	Placebo	Eszopiclone 2 mg	Eszopiclone 3 mg
Adverse Reaction	(n=99)	(n=104)	(n=105)
Body as a Whole
Headache	13	21	17
Viral Infection	1	3	3
Digestive System
Dry Mouth	3	5	7
Dyspepsia	4	4	5
Nausea	4	5	4
Vomiting	1	3	0
Nervous System
Anxiety	0	3	1
Confusion	0	0	3
Depression	0	4	1
Dizziness	4	5	7
Hallucinations	0	1	3
Libido Decreased	0	0	3
Nervousness	3	5	0
Somnolence	3	10	8
Respiratory System
Infection	3	5	10
Skin and Appendages
Rash	1	3	4
Special Senses
Unpleasant Taste	3	17	34
Urogenital System
DysmenorrheaGender-specific adverse reactions in females	0	3	0
GynecomastiaGender-specific adverse reactions in males	0	3	0

Adverse reactions from Table 1 that suggest a dose-response relationship in adults include viral infection, dry mouth, dizziness, hallucinations, infection, rash, and unpleasant taste, with this relationship clearest for unpleasant taste.

Table 2 shows the incidence of adverse reactions from combined Phase 3 placebo-controlled studies of eszopiclone at doses of 1 or 2 mg in elderly adults (ages 65 to 86). Treatment duration in these trials was 14 days. The table includes only reactions that occurred in 2% or more of patients treated with eszopiclone 1 mg or 2 mg in which the incidence in patients treated with eszopiclone was greater than the incidence in placebo-treated patients. 

Table 2: Incidence (%) of Adverse Reactions in Elderly Adults (Ages 65 to 86) in 2-Week Placebo-Controlled Trials with EszopicloneReactions for which the eszopiclone incidence was equal to or less than placebo are not listed on the table, but included the following: abdominal pain, asthenia, nausea, rash, and somnolence.

	Placebo	Eszopiclone 1 mg	Eszopiclone 2 mg
Adverse Reaction	(n=208)	(n=72)	(n=215)
Body as a Whole
Accidental Injury	1	0	3
Headache	14	15	13
Pain	2	4	5
Digestive System
Diarrhea	2	4	2
Dry Mouth	2	3	7
Dyspepsia	2	6	2
Nervous System
Abnormal Dreams	0	3	1
Dizziness	2	1	6
Nervousness	1	0	2
Neuralgia	0	3	0
Skin and Appendages
Pruritus	1	4	1
Special Senses
Unpleasant Taste	0	8	12
Urogenital System
Urinary Tract Infection	0	3	0

Adverse reactions from Table 2 that suggest a dose-response relationship in elderly adults include pain, dry mouth, and unpleasant taste, with this relationship again clearest for unpleasant taste.

These figures cannot be used to predict the incidence of adverse reactions in the course of usual medical practice because patient characteristics and other factors may differ from those that prevailed in the clinical trials. Similarly, the cited frequencies cannot be compared with figures obtained from other clinical investigations involving different treatments, uses, and investigators. The cited figures, however, do provide the prescribing physician with some basis for estimating the relative contributions of drug and non-drug factors to the adverse reaction incidence rate in the population studied.

Other Reactions Observed During the Premarketing Evaluation of Eszopiclone
Following is a list of modified COSTART terms that reflect adverse reactions as defined in the introduction to the Adverse Reactions section and reported by approximately 1550 subjects treated with eszopiclone at doses in the range of 1 to 3.5 mg/day during Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials throughout the United States and Canada. All reported reactions are included except those already listed in Tables 1 and 2 or elsewhere in labeling, minor reactions common in the general population, and reactions unlikely to be drug-related. Although the reactions reported occurred during treatment with eszopiclone, they were not necessarily caused by it.

Reactions are further categorized by body system and listed in order of decreasing frequency according to the following definitions: frequent adverse reactions are those that occurred on one or more occasions in at least 1/100 patients; infrequent adverse reactions are those that occurred in fewer than 1/100 patients but in at least 1/1,000 patients; rare adverse reactions are those that occurred in fewer than 1/1,000 patients. Gender-specific reactions are categorized based on their incidence for the appropriate gender.

Body as a Whole: Frequent: chest pain; Infrequent: allergic reaction, cellulitis, face edema, fever, halitosis, heat stroke, hernia, malaise, neck rigidity, photosensitivity.

Cardiovascular System: Frequent: migraine; Infrequent: hypertension; Rare: thrombophlebitis.

Digestive System: Infrequent: anorexia,cholelithiasis, increased appetite, melena, mouth ulceration, thirst, ulcerative stomatitis; Rare: colitis, dysphagia, gastritis, hepatitis, hepatomegaly, liver damage, stomach ulcer, stomatitis, tongue edema, rectal hemorrhage.

Hemic and Lymphatic System: Infrequent: anemia, lymphadenopathy.

Metabolic and Nutritional: Frequent: peripheral edema; Infrequent: hypercholesteremia, weight gain, weight loss; Rare: dehydration, gout, hyperlipemia, hypokalemia.

Musculoskeletal System: Infrequent: arthritis, bursitis, joint disorder (mainly swelling, stiffness, and pain), leg cramps, myasthenia, twitching; Rare: arthrosis, myopathy, ptosis.

Nervous System: Infrequent: agitation, apathy, ataxia, emotional lability, hostility, hypertonia, hypesthesia, incoordination, insomnia, memory impairment, neurosis, nystagmus, paresthesia, reflexes decreased, thinking abnormal (mainly difficulty concentrating), vertigo; Rare: abnormal gait, euphoria, hyperesthesia, hypokinesia, neuritis, neuropathy, stupor, tremor.

Respiratory System: Infrequent: asthma, bronchitis, dyspnea, epistaxis, hiccup, laryngitis.

Skin and Appendages: Infrequent: acne, alopecia, contact dermatitis, dry skin, eczema, skin discoloration, sweating, urticaria; Rare: erythema multiforme, furunculosis, herpes zoster, hirsutism, maculopapular rash, vesiculobullous rash.

Special Senses: Infrequent: conjunctivitis, dry eyes, ear pain, otitis externa, otitis media, tinnitus, vestibular disorder; Rare: hyperacusis, iritis, mydriasis, photophobia.

Urogenital System: Infrequent: amenorrhea,breast engorgement, breast enlargement, breast neoplasm, breast pain, cystitis, dysuria, female lactation, hematuria, kidney calculus, kidney pain, mastitis, menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, urinary frequency, urinary incontinence, uterine hemorrhage, vaginal hemorrhage, vaginitis; Rare: oliguria, pyelonephritis, urethritis.

6.2 Post-Marketing Experience

In addition to the adverse reactions observed during clinical trials, dysosmia, an olfactory dysfunction that is characterized by distortion of the sense of smell, has been reported during post-marketing surveillance with eszopiclone. Because this event is reported spontaneously from a population of unknown size, it is not possible to estimate the frequency of this event.

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS

7.1 CNS Active Drugs

Ethanol: An additive effect on psychomotor performance was seen with coadministration of eszopiclone and ethanol.

Olanzapine: Coadministration of eszopiclone and olanzapine produced a decrease in DSST scores. The interaction was pharmacodynamic; there was no alteration in the pharmacokinetics of either drug.

7.2 Drugs that Inhibit or Induce CYP3A4

Drugs That Inhibit CYP3A4 (Ketoconazole): CYP3A4 is a major metabolic pathway for elimination of eszopiclone. The exposure of eszopiclone was increased by coadministration of ketoconazole, a potent inhibitor of CYP3A4. Other strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., itraconazole, clarithromycin, nefazodone, troleandomycin, ritonavir, nelfinavir) would be expected to behave similarly. Dose reduction of eszopiclone is needed for patient co-administered with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)].

Drugs that Induce CYP3A4 (Rifampicin): Racemic zopiclone exposure was decreased 80% by concomitant use of rifampicin, a potent inducer of CYP3A4. A similar effect would be expected with eszopiclone. Combination use with CYP3A4 inducer may decrease exposure to and effects of eszopiclone

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

8.1 Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category C

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Eszopiclone should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Oral administration of eszopiclone to pregnant rats (62.5, 125, or 250 mg/kg/day) and rabbits (4, 8, or 16 mg/kg/day) throughout organogenesis showed no evidence of teratogenicity up to the highest doses tested. In rats, reduced fetal weight and increased incidences of skeletal variations and/or delayed ossification were observed at the mid and high doses. The no-observed-effect dose for adverse effects on embryofetal development is 200 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 3 mg/day on a mg/m² basis. No effects on embryofetal development were observed in rabbits; the highest dose tested is approximately 100 times the MRHD on a mg/m² basis.

Oral administration of eszopiclone (60, 120, or 180 mg/kg/day) to pregnant rats throughout the pregnancy and lactation resulted in increased post-implantation loss, decreased postnatal pup weights and survival, and increased pup startle response at all doses. The lowest dose tested is approximately 200 times the MRHD on a mg/m² basis. Eszopiclone had no effects on other developmental measures or reproductive function in the offspring.

8.3 Nursing Mothers

It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk.

8.4 Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric patients.

The labeling for Sunovion Pharmaceutical Inc.’s eszopiclone tablets includes additional information from a clinical study in which efficacy was not demonstrated in pediatric patients. However, due to Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s marketing exclusivity rights, this drug product is not labeled with that pediatric information.

In studies in which eszopiclone (2 to 300 mg/kg/day) was orally administered to young rats from weaning through sexual maturity, neurobehavioral impairment (altered auditory startle response) and reproductive toxicity (adverse effects on male reproductive organ weights and histopathology) were observed at doses ≥ 5 mg/kg/day. Delayed sexual maturation was noted in males and females at ≥ 10 mg/kg/day. The no-effect dose (2 mg/kg) was associated with plasma exposures (AUC) for eszopiclone and metabolite (S)-desmethylzopiclone [(S)-DMZ] approximately 2 times plasma exposures in humans at the maximum recommended dose (MRHD) in adults (3 mg/day).

When eszopiclone (doses from 1 to 50 mg/kg/day) was orally administered to young dogs from weaning through sexual maturity, neurotoxicity (convulsions) was observed at doses ≥ 5 mg/kg/day. Hepatotoxicity (elevated liver enzymes and hepatocellular vacuolation and degeneration) and reproductive toxicity (adverse effects on male reproductive organ weights and histopathology) were noted at dose ≥ 10 mg/kg/day. The no-effect dose (1 mg/kg) was associated with plasma exposures (AUC) to eszopiclone and (S)-DMZ approximately 3 and 2 times, respectively, plasma exposures in humans at the MRHD in adults.

8.5 Geriatric Use

A total of 287 subjects in double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled clinical trials who received eszopiclone were 65 to 86 years of age. The overall pattern of adverse events for elderly subjects (median age = 71 years) in 2-week studies with nighttime dosing of 2 mg eszopiclone was not different from that seen in younger adults [see Adverse Reactions: Table 2 (6)]. Eszopiclone 2 mg exhibited significant reduction in sleep latency and improvement in sleep maintenance in the elderly population. Compared with non-elderly adults, subjects 65 years and older had longer elimination and higher total exposure to eszopiclone. Therefore, dose reduction is recommended in the elderly patients [see Dosage and Administration (2.1), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

8.6 Hepatic Impairment

No dose adjustment is necessary for patients with mild-to-moderate hepatic impairment. Exposure was increased in severely impaired patients compared with the healthy volunteers. The starting dose of eszopiclone should be 1 mg in patients with severe hepatic impairment. Eszopiclone should be used with caution in patients with hepatic impairment [see Dosage and Administration (2.1), Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

9 DRUG ABUSE AND DEPENDENCE

9.1 Controlled Substance

Eszopiclone is a Schedule IV controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act. Other substances under the same classification are benzodiazepines and the nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics zaleplon and zolpidem. While eszopiclone is a hypnotic agent with a chemical structure unrelated to benzodiazepines, it shares some of the pharmacologic properties of the benzodiazepines.

9.2 Abuse

Abuse and addiction are separate and distinct from physical dependence and tolerance. Abuse is characterized by misuse of the drug for non-medical purposes, often in combination with other psychoactive substances. Physical dependence is a state of adaptation that is manifested by a specific withdrawal syndrome that can be produced by abrupt cessation, rapid dose reduction, decreasing blood level of the drug and/or administration of an antagonist. Tolerance is a state of adaptation in which exposure to a drug induces changes that result in a diminution of one or more of the drug’s effects over time. Tolerance may occur to both the desired and undesired effects of drugs and may develop at different rates for different effects.

Addiction is a primary, chronic, neurobiological disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. It is characterized by behaviors that include one or more of the following: impaired control over drug use, compulsive use, continued use despite harm, and craving. Drug addiction is a treatable disease, utilizing a multidisciplinary approach, but relapse is common.

In a study of abuse liability conducted in individuals with known histories of benzodiazepine abuse, eszopiclone at doses of 6 and 12 mg produced euphoric effects similar to those of diazepam 20 mg. In this study, at doses 2-fold or greater than the maximum recommended doses, a dose-related increase in reports of amnesia and hallucinations was observed for both eszopiclone and diazepam.

9.3 Dependence

The clinical trial experience with eszopiclone revealed no evidence of a serious withdrawal syndrome. Nevertheless, the following adverse events included in DSM-IV criteria for uncomplicated sedative/hypnotic withdrawal were reported during clinical trials following placebo substitution occurring within 48 hours following the last eszopiclone treatment: anxiety, abnormal dreams, nausea, and upset stomach. These reported adverse events occurred at an incidence of 2% or less. Use of benzodiazepines and similar agents may lead to physical and psychological dependence. The risk of abuse and dependence increases with the dose and duration of treatment and concomitant use of other psychoactive drugs. The risk is also greater for patients who have a history of alcohol or drug abuse or history of psychiatric disorders. These patients should be under careful surveillance when receiving eszopiclone or any other hypnotic.

9.4 Tolerance

Some loss of efficacy to the hypnotic effect of benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine-like agents may develop after repeated use of these drugs for a few weeks.

No development of tolerance to any parameter of sleep measurement was observed over six months. Tolerance to the efficacy of eszopiclone 3 mg was assessed by 4-week objective and 6‑week subjective measurements of time to sleep onset and sleep maintenance for eszopiclone in a placebo-controlled 44-day study, and by subjective assessments of time to sleep onset and WASO in a placebo-controlled study for 6 months.

10 OVERDOSAGE

In clinical trials with eszopiclone, one case of overdose with up to 36 mg of eszopiclone was reported in which the subject fully recovered. Since commercial marketing began, spontaneous cases of eszopiclone overdoses up to 270 mg (90 times the maximum recommended dose of eszopiclone) have been reported, in which patients have recovered. Fatalities related to eszopiclone overdoses were reported only in combination with other CNS drugs or alcohol.

10.1 Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of overdose effects of CNS depressants can be expected to present as exaggerations of the pharmacological effects noted in preclinical testing. Impairment of consciousness ranging from somnolence to coma has been described. Rare individual instances of fatal outcomes following overdose with racemic zopiclone have been reported in European postmarketing reports, most often associated with overdose with other CNS-depressant agents.

10.2 Recommended Treatment

General symptomatic and supportive measures should be used along with immediate gastric lavage where appropriate. Intravenous fluids should be administered as needed. Flumazenil may be useful. As in all cases of drug overdose, respiration, pulse, blood pressure, and other appropriate signs should be monitored and general supportive measures employed. Hypotension and CNS depression should be monitored and treated by appropriate medical intervention. The value of dialysis in the treatment of overdosage has not been determined.

As with the management of all overdosage, the possibility of multiple drug ingestion should be considered. The physician may wish to consider contacting a poison control center for up-to-date information on the management of hypnotic drug product overdosage.

11 DESCRIPTION

Eszopiclone Tablets are a nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic agent that is a pyrrolopyrazine derivative of the cyclopyrrolone class. The chemical name of eszopiclone is (+)-(5S)-6-(5-chloropyridin-2-yl)-7-oxo-6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[3,4-b] pyrazin-5-yl 4-methylpiperazine-1-carboxylate. Its molecular weight is 388.81, and its empirical formula is C₁₇H₁₇ClN₆O₃. Eszopiclone has a single chiral center with an (S)-configuration. It has the following chemical structure: