Two medicines, side by side
Eszopiclone vs triazolam
Eszopiclone and triazolam are both labeled for insomnia. Drugs@FDA records approvals of eszopiclone since 2004 and of triazolam since 1982. Pharmacies paid $0.0993 per eszopiclone 1 mg tablet and $0.308 per triazolam 0.25 mg tablet (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 triazolam FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 10, 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 triazolam record
Triazolam (Halcion) · label of July 10, 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: indicationsTriazolam is indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia (generally 7 to 10 days) in adults. Triazolam is a benzodiazepine indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia (generally 7 to 10 days) in adults.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 15, 1982
- Generic labelers
- 7 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.308 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Eszopiclone label of January 30, 2026, Triazolam label of July 10, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do eszopiclone and triazolam differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Eszopiclone, “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 …”; Triazolam, “Triazolam is a benzodiazepine.”
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 …”; Triazolam, “Elimination Triazolam has a mean plasma elimination half-life in the range of 1.5 to 5.5 hours.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: eszopiclone since 2011; triazolam since 1994 (Drugs@FDA).
| Eszopiclone | Triazolam | |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | Triazolam is a benzodiazepine. |
| 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. | Elimination Triazolam has a mean plasma elimination half-life in the range of 1.5 to 5.5 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 15, 2004 | November 15, 1982 |
| First generic approved | May 23, 2011 | March 25, 1994 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 27 labelers | 7 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0993 per tablet (Eszopiclone 1 mg tablet) | $0.308 per tablet (Triazolam 0.25 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -28% | -13% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 25,313 | 3,986 |
| 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 )].
Triazolam label, drug interactionsCNS Depressants Clinical implication Triazolam produces additive CNS depressant effects when co-administered with other CNS depressants.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to eszopiclone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions