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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Residents in Utah with sleeping problems will soon have a new weapon.
The Food and Drug Administration in December approved Lunesta (eszoplicone) for people who have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.
The Manufacturer Sepracor will launch the sleep aid this month. It's the first specifically approved by the F-D-A for long term use sleep aid.
Doctors say, Eszoplicone lasts longer than other sleep aids.
Medical experts say, the drug is a non-benzodiazepine sleep aid that is a reformulation of a medication that has long been used in other countries.
The drug manufacturer is conducting ongoing studies of the medication in patients who have insomnia and those with insomnia who also have depression or pain.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
