Lunesta Dosages for Insomnia: Your GoodRx Guide

What’s the safest starting Lunesta (eszopiclone) dosage? It depends.

In 2014, the FDA announced that Lunesta’s manufacturer must lower the recommended starting dose. This is because Lunesta’s starting dose at the time — and higher doses of it — have been shown to affect alertness the next day in activities such as driving. This change resembles past recommendations to lower the bedtime dose for zolpidem (Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar).

But how much Lunesta should you take? And what time should you take it? Here’s what you should know about Lunesta dosages.

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What’s the recommended Lunesta dosage in adults?

Lunesta is used to treat insomnia (trouble sleeping) in adults. The recommended starting dosage of Lunesta is 1 mg by mouth, taken on an empty stomach right before bedtime. Take Lunesta only if you’re planning to stay in bed for at least 7 to 8 hours after taking it.

If needed, your prescriber may increase your Lunesta dosage up to a maximum of 3 mg at bedtime. But keep in mind that doses higher than 1 mg increase the risk of feeling impaired the next day, which can affect your ability to drive.

Keep in mind: Lunesta is a controlled substance, meaning that it has a risk of dependence and misuse. Because of this, it’s recommended to take the lowest effective dose for the shortest amount of time possible.

Are there any dosage adjustments for health conditions?

Certain people may be more sensitive to Lunesta’s effects, such as older adults. In these cases, a lower dose may be recommended. Lower doses are also advised for people with liver problems and those taking certain medications.

Dosage for people ages 65 and older

People ages 65 and older may be more likely to experience side effects from Lunesta. Because of this, experts recommend that people in this age group avoid Lunesta. But if your prescriber believes it’s appropriate for you, the recommended maximum Lunesta dosage is 2 mg for older adults.

Dosage for people with liver problems

Like many other medications, Lunesta is broken down in the liver. If you have liver problems, this can lead to higher Lunesta levels in the body. It’s recommended that people with severe liver problems take no more than 2 mg of Lunesta at night.

Dose for people taking interacting medications

Some medications can interfere with how Lunesta is broken down in the liver, leading to higher levels and increased side effects. Similar to the adjustments above, the maximum recommended Lunesta dose is 2 mg if you’re taking one of these medications. Examples include:

• Antibiotics, such as clarithromycin

• Antifungals, such as ketoconazole

• Some antiviral medications, such as Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir / ritonavir)

• Antidepressants, such as nefazodone

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Lunesta side effects: Do you feel drowsy the next day after taking Lunesta (eszopiclone)? Learn about possible Lunesta side effects and how to manage them.

• What to avoid: Did you know that certain medications and substances may not be safe to take with Lunesta? Here’s a list of Lunesta interactions to know about.

• Home remedies for insomnia: These treatment options can help improve insomnia symptoms without medication.

Lunesta can interact with other medications and substances, including those that make you drowsy. Make sure your healthcare team has your current medication list to check for potential interactions. If needed, they can come up with a plan to manage them.

What happens if you miss a dose of Lunesta?

Some people are instructed to take Lunesta every night, while others take it only as needed. Here are some tips for what to do if you miss your Lunesta dose, depending on how you take it.

• If you take Lunesta as needed: If you don’t take Lunesta on a regular schedule, skip the dose you missed. Take Lunesta the next time you think you’ll need it to help you sleep.

• If you take Lunesta every night: If you forget to take a dose before going to bed, wait until the next evening to take your regularly scheduled dose. Avoid taking an extra or double dose to make up for a missed dose.

But if you wake up at night and still have at least 7 to 8 hours that you’re planning to sleep, you may be able to take the dose you missed. Your prescriber can provide specific recommendations for what to do if this happens.

What should you do if you take too much Lunesta?

Taking too much Lunesta is likely to worsen its side effects. You may experience worse drowsiness and extra grogginess or sleepiness the next day. In severe cases, you could have hallucinations, slowed breathing, and coma. If you take Lunesta with other medications that have similar effects, it’s even more risky.

If you or a loved one has taken too much Lunesta, contact a healthcare professional, or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, immediately. If the symptoms are severe or life-threatening, call 911 or go to the ER.

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Written by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

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