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Klonopin vs. Lunesta

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Klonopin (clonazepam) and Lunesta (eszopiclone) are both medications that require a prescription, but they are used for different conditions and belong to different drug classes. Klonopin is a benzodiazepine used to treat seizures and panic disorder, while Lunesta is a sedative-hypnotic used to treat insomnia. Klonopin is typically taken two or three times a day, whereas Lunesta is taken once daily right before bedtime. Klonopin can cause side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, and poor movement control, and it carries a risk of dependence and withdrawal symptoms. On the other hand, Lunesta can cause a bad taste in the mouth, headache, and sleep behaviors like sleepwalking or sleep driving. Both medications are available as lower-cost generics.

Clonazepam

(Klonopin)

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Lunesta

(eszopiclone)

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Summary for Klonopin

Prescription only

Clonazepam (Klonopin) is a benzodiazepine. It's approved to treat seizures in adults and children, and panic disorder in adults only. Clonazepam (Klonopin) is taken by mouth, typically two or three times a day. It's also available as orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) for people who have trouble swallowing. Some common side effects of this medication include drowsiness, dizziness, and poor movement control. Before stopping clonazepam (Klonopin), speak with your prescriber to come up with a plan to lower your dose slowly over time to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Indications for Klonopin

Pros and Cons for Klonopin

Pros

Cons

  • Taken 2 to 3 times daily
  • Can be habit-forming, so isn't typically used for long-term treatment
  • Can cause memory problems, drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion
  • Might not work as well for seizure control over time

Common Side Effects for Klonopin

Seizures:

  • Drowsiness (50%)
  • Poor movement control, clumsiness (30%)
  • Behavior problems (25%)

Panic Disorder:

  • Drowsiness (up to 50%)
  • Dizziness (up to 12%)
  • Runny nose, sore throat, and other symptoms of a respiratory infection (up to 10%)
  • Extreme tiredness (up to 9%)
  • Poor movement control, clumsiness (up to 9%)
  • Depression (up to 8%)

Warnings for Klonopin

  • Sedation and difficulty breathing
  • Potential for misuse, addiction, dependence, and withdrawal
  • Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
  • Effect on driving and concentration
  • Harm to babies
  • Worsening of seizures

Summary for Lunesta

Prescription only

Lunesta (eszopiclone) is used to treat insomnia in people over the age of 18. This medication can help you fall asleep faster and wake up fewer times during the night. Lunesta (eszopiclone) belongs to a drug class called sedative-hypnotics, and it's a controlled substance so there are restrictions on how it can be filled and refilled at the pharmacy. You typically only need to take a dose right before bedtime, but it can cause a headache or leave a bad taste in your mouth as a side effect.

Indications for Lunesta

  • Insomnia (trouble falling or staying asleep)

Pros and Cons for Lunesta

Pros

  • Available as a lower-cost generic
  • Can help you fall asleep and stay asleep
  • Fewer side effects and less addicting than some other sleep medications

Cons

  • Can cause sedation, dizziness, and poor coordination the next day, especially at higher doses
  • Can lead to rebound insomnia after stopping the medication, especially if you've taken it for a long time
  • Risk of abnormal sleep behaviors, such as sleepwalking or sleep driving

Common Side Effects for Lunesta

Warnings for Lunesta

  • Abnormal sleep behaviors
  • Poor mental alertness
  • Behavior changes and abnormal thinking
  • Severe allergic reactions
  • Follow up with provider to check for other reasons for insomnia
  • Withdrawal
  • Use with caution in older adults and people with certain health conditions

Prices with our coupons for Klonopin vs. Lunesta

Price Card Drug Icon
Clonazepam30 tablets / 0.5mg
$9.72$34.48
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Price Card Drug Icon
Eszopiclone30 tablets / 3mg
$12.67$221.54
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