Two medicines, side by side
Eszopiclone vs temazepam
Eszopiclone and temazepam are both labeled for insomnia. Drugs@FDA records approvals of eszopiclone since 2004 and of temazepam since 1981. Pharmacies paid $0.0993 per eszopiclone 1 mg tablet and $0.0767 per temazepam 15 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the eszopiclone FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 30, 2026); the temazepam FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 9, 2026).
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
Highlights of the temazepam record
Temazepam (Restoril) · label of June 9, 2026
RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH OPIOIDS; ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION; and DEPENDENCE AND WITHDRAWAL REACTIONS Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required.
Used for
From the label: indicationsRestoril ® (temazepam) is indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia (generally 7 to 10 days). For patients with short-term insomnia, instructions in the prescription should indicate that Restoril ® (temazepam) should be used for short periods of time (7 to 10 days). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 27, 1981
- Generic labelers
- 20 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0767 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Eszopiclone label of January 30, 2026, Temazepam label of June 9, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do eszopiclone and temazepam differ on the record?
Half-life, in each label's words: Eszopiclone, “Eszopiclone is rapidly absorbed, with a time to peak concentration (t max ) of approximately 1 hour and a …”; Temazepam, “The blood level decline of the parent drug was biphasic with the short half-life ranging from 0.4 to 0.6 hours and the …”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: eszopiclone since 2011; temazepam since 1986 (Drugs@FDA).
| Eszopiclone | Temazepam | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Insomnia | Insomnia |
| Pharmacologic class | n/a | Benzodiazepine |
| How it works (label) | 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. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | 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. | The blood level decline of the parent drug was biphasic with the short half-life ranging from 0.4 to 0.6 hours and the terminal half-life from 3.5 to 18.4 hours (mean 8.8 hours), depending on the study population and … |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 15, 2004 | February 27, 1981 |
| First generic approved | May 23, 2011 | July 10, 1986 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 27 labelers | 20 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0993 per tablet (Eszopiclone 1 mg tablet) | $0.0767 per capsule (Temazepam 15 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -28% | +0.5% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 25,313 | 37,475 |
| DEA schedule | CIV | 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 )].
Temazepam label, drug interactionsThe benzodiazepines, including temazepam, produce additive CNS-depressant effects when co-administered with other CNS depressants such as alcohol, barbiturates, antipsychotics, sedative/hypnotics, anxiolytics, antidepressants, narcotic analgesics, sedative antihistamines, anticonvulsants, and anesthetics.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to eszopiclone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions