Two medicines, side by side
Doxepin vs eszopiclone
Doxepin and eszopiclone are both labeled for insomnia. Drugs@FDA records approvals of doxepin since 1969 and of eszopiclone since 2004. Pharmacies paid $0.0779 per doxepin 10 mg capsule and $0.0993 per eszopiclone 1 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the doxepin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 30, 2025); the eszopiclone FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 30, 2026).
Highlights of the doxepin record
Doxepin (Sinequan) · label of December 30, 2025
Suicidality and Antidepressant Drugs Antidepressants increased the risk compared to placebo of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of major depressive disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of doxepin hydrochloride or any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need.
Used for
From the label: indicationsDoxepin Hydrochloride is recommended for the treatment of: Psychoneurotic patients with depression and/or anxiety. Depression and/or anxiety associated with alcoholism (not to be taken concomitantly with alcohol). Depression and/or anxiety associated with organic disease (the possibility of drug interaction should be considered if the patient is receiving other drugs concomitantly). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 23, 1969
- Generic labelers
- 49 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0779 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Highlights of the eszopiclone record
Eszopiclone (Lunesta) · label of January 30, 2026
COMPLEX SLEEP BEHAVIORS Complex sleep behaviors including sleep-walking, sleep-driving, and engaging in other activities while not fully awake may occur following use of eszopiclone tablets. Some of these events may result in serious injuries, including death. Discontinue eszopiclone tablets immediately if a patient experiences a complex sleep behavior [see Contraindications ( 4 ) and Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )].
Used for
From the label: indicationsEszopiclone 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. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 15, 2004
- Generic labelers
- 27 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0993 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Doxepin label of December 30, 2025, Eszopiclone label of January 30, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do doxepin and eszopiclone differ on the record?
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: doxepin since 1986; eszopiclone since 2011 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: doxepin none; eszopiclone CIV.
| Doxepin | Eszopiclone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Depression, Anxiety, Eczema (atopic dermatitis), Insomnia | Insomnia |
| Pharmacologic class | Tricyclic Antidepressant | n/a |
| How it works (label) | n/a | The mechanism of action of eszopiclone as a hypnotic is unclear; however, its effect could be related to its interaction with GABA-receptor complexes at binding domains located close to or allosterically coupled to benzodiazepine receptors. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Eszopiclone is rapidly absorbed, with a time to peak concentration (t max ) of approximately 1 hour and a terminal-phase elimination half-life (t 1/2 ) of approximately 6 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | September 23, 1969 | December 15, 2004 |
| First generic approved | May 13, 1986 | May 23, 2011 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 49 labelers | 27 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0779 per capsule (Doxepin 10 mg capsule) | $0.0993 per tablet (Eszopiclone 1 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -9% | -28% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 12,554 | 25,313 |
| DEA schedule | none | CIV |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Eszopiclone label, warnings and precautionsThe risk of next-day psychomotor impairment is increased if eszopiclone is taken with less than a full night of sleep remaining (7 to 8 hours); if higher than the recommended dose is taken; if coadministered with other CNS depressants; or coadministered with other drugs that increase the blood levels of eszopiclone [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 ) and Clinical Studies ( 14.3 )].
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to doxepin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions