Key takeaways
Lunesta (eszopiclone) and trazodone are both used to help with sleep, but they belong to different medication classes. Lunesta is a sedative-hypnotic specifically approved by the FDA to treat insomnia, while trazodone is an atypical antidepressant primarily approved for major depressive disorder (MDD) but used off-label for insomnia. Lunesta is taken as a single dose right before bedtime, whereas trazodone can be taken once or several times a day, depending on the condition being treated. Lunesta is a controlled substance due to its potential for misuse and dependence, while trazodone is not. Both medications cause drowsiness, but common side effects of Lunesta also include a bad taste in the mouth and headache, while trazodone often causes dry mouth and dizziness. Both medications can interact with alcohol and other substances that cause drowsiness, but trazodone also has a risk of serotonin syndrome when combined with other medications that affect serotonin. Both medications are available as a lower-cost generic.
