Eszopiclone improves insomnia and depressive and anxious symptoms in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women with hot flashes: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover trial

Objective Menopause-associated insomnia is commonly associated with other symptoms (hot flashes, depression, anxiety). Given frequent symptom cooccurrence, therapies targeting sleep may provide an important approach to treatment during midlife. Study Design Peri/postmenopausal women (40-65 years old) with sleep-onset and/or sleep-maintenance insomnia cooccurring with hot flashes and depressive and/or anxiety symptoms were randomized to eszopiclone 3 mg orally or placebo in a double-blinded, crossover 11 week trial. Changes in the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scale and secondary outcomes (diary-based sleep parameters, depression/anxiety, hot flashes, quality of life) were analyzed using repeated-measure linear models. Results Of 59 women, 46 (78%) completed the study. Eszopiclone reduced ISI scores by 8.7 ± 1.4 more points than placebo ( P P Conclusion Eszopiclone treats insomnia and cooccurring menopause-related symptoms. Our results provide evidence that hypnotic therapies may improve multiple domains of well-being during midlife.