Two medicines, side by side
Zaleplon vs eszopiclone
Zaleplon and eszopiclone are both labeled for insomnia. Drugs@FDA records approvals of zaleplon since 1999 and of eszopiclone since 2004. Pharmacies paid $0.141 per zaleplon 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 zaleplon FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 8, 2024); the eszopiclone FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 30, 2026).
Highlights of the zaleplon record
Zaleplon (Sonata) · label of May 8, 2024
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 zaleplon. Some of these events may result in serious injuries, including death. Discontinue zaleplon immediately if a patient experiences a complex sleep behavior (see CONTRAINDICATIONS and Complex Sleep Behaviors under WARNINGS ). Zaleplon is a federally controlled substance (C-IV) because it can be abused or lead to dependence.
Used for
From the label: indicationsZaleplon capsules are indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia. Zaleplon capsules have been shown to decrease the time to sleep onset for up to 30 days in controlled clinical studies (see Clinical Trials under CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ). They have not been shown to increase total sleep time or decrease the number of awakenings. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 13, 1999
- Generic labelers
- 9 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.141 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
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 (Zaleplon label of May 8, 2024, Eszopiclone label of January 30, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do zaleplon and eszopiclone differ on the record?
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: zaleplon since 2008; eszopiclone since 2011 (Drugs@FDA).
| Zaleplon | Eszopiclone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Insomnia | Insomnia |
| Pharmacologic class | gamma-Aminobutyric Acid A Receptor Agonist | 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) | August 13, 1999 | December 15, 2004 |
| First generic approved | June 6, 2008 | May 23, 2011 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 9 labelers | 27 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.141 per capsule (Zaleplon 10 mg capsule) | $0.0993 per tablet (Eszopiclone 1 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | -28% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 1,589 | 25,313 |
| 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?
Zaleplon label, warningsCoadministration with other CNS depressants (e.g., benzodiazepines, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants, alcohol) increases the risk of CNS depression.
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 zaleplon
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions