Cost-effectiveness of eszopiclone for the treatment of chronic insomnia.
Eszopiclone (Lunesta) is the first hypnotic to receive US FDA approval for the long-term treatment of chronic insomnia. This novel nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic provides another option for patients with sleep disorders by inducing rapid-sleep onset and sleep maintenance. The drug is effective and well tolerated in adult patients with insomnia. Eszopiclone is more expensive than some other nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics (zaleplon, immediate release zolpidem) and benzodiazepine hypnotics, and much less expensive than controlled-release zolpidem. It is unclear whether or not the cost of eszopiclone will be offset owing to its side-effect profile and tolerability, since pharmacoeconomic studies are lacking.
Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, 500 University Drive Hershey, PA 17033, USA. chalas@psu.edu.
Cynthia J
CJ
Halas