eszopiclone
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.
What is Lunesta (eszopiclone)?
What is Lunesta (eszopiclone) used for?
- Insomnia (trouble falling or staying asleep)
How Lunesta (eszopiclone) works
Lunesta (eszopiclone) is a sedative-hypnotic. It's not exactly clear how Lunesta (eszopiclone) works, but it might interact with GABA proteins in the brain that make you feel calmer and sleepier.
Drug facts
Risks and warnings for Lunesta (eszopiclone)
Lunesta (eszopiclone) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Abnormal sleep behaviors
- Risk factors: Taking Lunesta (eszopiclone) with alcohol or other medications that also make you sleepy
Lunesta (eszopiclone) can sometimes cause abnormal sleep behaviors, such as sleepwalking, sleep driving, or sleep eating. It can also make you do things, like preparing food or engaging in sexual activities, while you're not fully alert. These behaviors can sometimes lead to serious injuries or even fatal accidents. You also might not remember doing these activities when you wake up the next morning.
Taking Lunesta (eszopiclone) with alcohol, other sleep medications, or other sedatives might raise your risk for these types of sleep behaviors. But they can also happen when you take Lunesta (eszopiclone) alone at the recommended dose. If your loved ones report that you perform any activities while you're sleeping, stop taking Lunesta (eszopiclone) and let your healthcare provider know right away because you might have to switch to a different medication.
Poor mental alertness
- Risk factors: High doses | Taking Lunesta (eszopiclone) with other medications that make you sleepy | Having less than 7 to 8 hours of sleep after taking a dose of Lunesta (eszopiclone)
At higher doses, Lunesta (eszopiclone) can have effects on alertness and coordination that can carry over to the next morning. Poor alertness and coordination can put you at risk for falls and other accidental injuries. These effects might be worse when Lunesta (eszopiclone) is taken with other medications or substances that can make you sleepy (like opioid pain medications, muscle relaxers, alcohol, certain antidepressants, and benzodiazepines).
Only take Lunesta (eszopiclone) before bedtime, when you know you'll be able to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep after you take the medication. Also, be careful driving or doing anything dangerous until you know how this medication affects you.
Behavior changes and abnormal thinking
In some rare cases, people can have unusual thoughts and behaviors while they're taking Lunesta (eszopiclone). Some people might be aggressive or more outgoing than usual, feel very anxious, or have strange behaviors. Other people can have worsened depression or suicidal thoughts. Talk with a healthcare provider as soon as possible if you experience any of these effects while you're taking Lunesta (eszopiclone).
Severe allergic reactions
- Risk factors: History of allergic reaction to Lunesta (eszopiclone)
Although rare, Lunesta (eszopiclone) can cause serious allergic reactions, such as swelling of the face, tongue, and throat; nausea and vomiting; and trouble breathing. You should get medical help right away if you experience any severe allergic reactions to Lunesta (eszopiclone). Don't try to take Lunesta (eszopiclone) again if you've had an allergic reaction to the medication in the past because another allergic reaction can happen.
Follow up with provider to check for other reasons for insomnia
Talk to your provider about other potential causes for your insomnia if you don’t feel like Lunesta (eszopiclone) has improved your sleep after 7 to 10 days of taking the medication. There are other conditions that might be contributing to your insomnia that could be treated in a different way.
Withdrawal
- Risk factors: Lowering the dose or stopping Lunesta (eszopiclone) suddenly
Withdrawal effects are possible if you stop taking Lunesta (eszopiclone) suddenly or if you lower the dose too quickly. Some examples of withdrawal symptoms include the return of your insomnia, anxiety, abnormal dreams, nausea, and upset stomach. Don't lower your dose or stop the medication suddenly without talking to your provider first. Your provider will work with you to lower your dose slowly over time to avoid these effects.
Use with caution in older adults and people with certain health conditions
- Risk factors: Older adults | Severe liver problems | Other serious health conditions | Taking medications that affect the levels of Lunesta (eszopiclone) in the body
Use Lunesta (eszopiclone) with caution if you are 65 years or older, have severe liver problems, or have other serious health conditions. Older adults and people with certain health conditions can be more sensitive to the effects of Lunesta (eszopiclone), which can raise their risk for harmful side effects. Let your provider know about your medical history and the medications that you take. Your provider can check to see whether you need close follow-up and dose adjustments to Lunesta (eszopiclone) and your medications.
Side effects of Lunesta (eszopiclone)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Bad taste in mouth (17-34%)
- Headache (17-21%)
- Sleepiness (8-10%)
- Dizziness (5-7%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Daytime sleepiness
- Dry mouth
- Indigestion (upset stomach)
- Nausea
- Rash
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there)
- Viral infection
Lunesta (eszopiclone) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe allergic reactions: swelling of face, tongue, or throat; nausea; vomiting; trouble breathing
- Performing activities during sleep (such as walking, driving, and cooking) and not having memories of those activities the next morning
- Unusual thoughts and behaviors: anxiety, being aggressive, distress, confusion, hallucinations, worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts and behaviors
More on Lunesta (eszopiclone) side effects
The following Lunesta (eszopiclone) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Chills
hoarseness
lower back or side pain
painful or difficult urination
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
Less common
Bladder pain
bloody or cloudy urine
confusion
discouragement
fear or nervousness
feeling sad or empty
frequent urge to urinate
general feeling of discomfort or illness
headache
irritability
joint pain
lack of appetite
loss of interest or pleasure
muscle aches and pains
nerve pain
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
shivering
sweating
trouble concentrating
trouble sleeping
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
Change or loss of consciousness
difficult or troubled breathing
irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
belching
change in taste
dizziness
indigestion
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
Less common
Abnormal dreams
accidental injury
decreased interest in sexual intercourse
inability to have or keep an erection
pain, cramps, or heavy bleeding (females)
rash
swelling of the breasts or breast soreness (in both males and females)
Incidence not known
Change in sense of smell
loss of memory
problems with memory
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Lunesta (eszopiclone)
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
Pharmacist tips for Lunesta (eszopiclone)
- Lunesta (eszopiclone) should start working pretty quickly after you take it. Take the medication only when you're ready for bed and ready to go to sleep.
- Make sure you give yourself enough time for a full night’s sleep (7 to 8 hours) before taking your Lunesta (eszopiclone) dose. Otherwise, you might have more trouble thinking clearly and feel sleepier the next day.
- It’s best not to take Lunesta (eszopiclone) after a big and heavy meal because it might not work as fast if you do.
- Take the lowest dose of Lunesta (eszopiclone) that helps you sleep. This will lower the risk for side effects like sleepiness and poor coordination the next morning.
- Don’t take Lunesta (eszopiclone) with alcohol because it can worsen some of the side effects such as severe sleepiness and unclear thinking that can carry over to the next morning.
- Taking Lunesta (eszopiclone) with certain medications (e.g., muscle relaxers) can worsen side effects such as sleepiness, dizziness, and problems with coordination and concentration. Talk to your provider before starting any medications to make sure they're safe to take with Lunesta (eszopiclone).
- If you've been taking Lunesta (eszopiclone) for a while and stop taking the medication, you could experience rebound insomnia (having worsened sleep again). But your sleep should get better by the second night after stopping Lunesta (eszopiclone).
Common questions about Lunesta
Take Lunesta only when you're ready to go to bed and ready to go to sleep because it starts working rather quickly. Make sure you give yourself enough time for a full night’s sleep (7 to 8 hours) when you take the medication to avoid side effects that carry over to the next day. Another way to make sure Lunesta works as best as it can is to avoid taking it after a big, heavy, and fatty meal. Otherwise, the medication might not work as quickly.
Yes, Lunesta is a schedule IV controlled substance. This means that it has some potential for misuse and dependence, but less potential for these risks than opioids or some ADHD (attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder) medications have. There are some restrictions to getting Lunesta filled: your provider can authorize only up to 5 refills on your Lunesta prescription if they feel that it's necessary, and each prescription expires 6 months after your provider issues it.
The effects of Lunesta can be different for everyone. But one study showed that people who took Lunesta fell asleep about an average of 10 minutes faster than those who took a placebo. Also keep in mind that it takes about 1 hour for the medication to reach its highest levels in the body, suggesting that it should start working within a similar time frame. Since Lunesta should start working soon after you take it, take the medication right before going to bed.
Lunesta and zolpidem (Ambien) are both sedative-hypnotics that can help with sleep by making you feel calmer. They can both make you feel sleepy or dizzy and have trouble concentrating or focusing. Some experts believe that Lunesta lasts longer than zolpidem (Ambien), but either way, you'll want to make sure you can get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep before taking any sleeping pill. In addition, Lunesta comes as a short-acting tablet. On the other hand, zolpidem (Ambien) comes as short- and long-acting pills. What's more, there are other formulations of the active ingredient zolpidem, such as a sublingual tablet that's dissolved under the tongue. Speak with your provider to decide which medication might be right for you.
Some people who took Lunesta have reported weight gain or weight loss. This side effect is described as "infrequent," meaning that it doesn't affect everybody who takes this medication and that it isn't too common. Have a discussion with your provider if you experience weight changes while you're taking Lunesta and if it concerns you.
You can take Lunesta every night if needed. Keep in mind that it's possible for the medication to work less well if you take it regularly for a few weeks. If you need medication to help with sleep, it's best to pair it with non-medication therapies, such as practicing good sleep hygiene and cognitive behavioral therapy. Speak with your provider about the treatment plan that works best for you to help you sleep better.
Lunesta can cause serious sleep behaviors. Such behaviors can cause you get out of bed, make and eat food, talk on the phone, have sex, or drive a car without even realizing it. You might not even remember doing anything the next morning. Tell your loved ones about this potential side effect so they can help make sure you're safe after taking a dose of this medication. Stop taking Lunesta and tell your provider right away if your loved ones report that you do these activities after taking a dose.
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Lunesta (eszopiclone) dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1mg | 30 tablets | $12.94 | $0.43 |
| 2mg | 30 tablets | $12.20 | $0.41 |
| 3mg | 30 tablets | $12.29 | $0.41 |
Typical dosage for Lunesta (eszopiclone)
The typical starting dose is 1 mg by mouth once daily right before bedtime, with at least 7 or 8 hours of sleep remaining. Your provider might adjust your dose depending on your response and how you tolerate the medication.
More on Lunesta (eszopiclone) dosage
Interactions between Lunesta (eszopiclone) and other drugs
More on Lunesta (eszopiclone) interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Calcium Oxybate
- Magnesium Oxybate
- Potassium Oxybate
- Sodium Oxybate
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Abametapir
- Alfentanil
- Alprazolam
- Benzhydrocodone
- Boceprevir
- Bromazepam
- Bromopride
- Buprenorphine
- Butorphanol
- Cannabidiol
- Carbinoxamine
- Cetirizine
- Clarithromycin
- Clobazam
- Cobicistat
- Codeine
- Conivaptan
- Dihydrocodeine
- Doxylamine
- Esketamine
- Fentanyl
- Flibanserin
- Flumazenil
- Fosnetupitant
- Fospropofol
- Gabapentin
- Gabapentin Enacarbil
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Idelalisib
- Indinavir
- Itraconazole
- Ketamine
- Ketoconazole
- Lemborexant
- Levocetirizine
- Levorphanol
- Lofexidine
- Lopinavir
- Loxapine
- Meclizine
- Meperidine
- Methadone
- Metoclopramide
- Midazolam
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Nalbuphine
- Nefazodone
- Nelfinavir
- Netupitant
- Oxycodone
- Oxymorphone
- Pentazocine
- Periciazine
- Posaconazole
- Pregabalin
- Propofol
- Remifentanil
- Remimazolam
- Ritonavir
- Saquinavir
- Scopolamine
- Sufentanil
- Tapentadol
- Telaprevir
- Telithromycin
- Tramadol
- Trazodone
- Voriconazole
- Zolpidem
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Lunesta (eszopiclone) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Lunesta (eszopiclone) will not be safe for you to take.
- Have experienced abnormal sleep behaviors (e.g., sleepwalking, sleep driving) after taking Lunesta (eszopiclone)
What are alternatives to Lunesta (eszopiclone)?
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