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
Get your GoodRx coupon
What are the 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.
What are the side effects of Lunesta (eszopiclone)?
Common Side Effects
- Bad taste in mouth (17-34%)
- Headache (17-21%)
- Sleepiness (8-10%)
- Dizziness (5-7%)
Other Side Effects
- Daytime sleepiness
- Dry mouth
- Indigestion (upset stomach)
- Nausea
- Rash
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there)
- Viral infection
Serious Side Effects
- 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
Source: DailyMed
More on Lunesta (eszopiclone) side effects
The following 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.
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).
Frequently asked questions about Lunesta (eszopiclone)
How to save using GoodRx
Lunesta (eszopiclone) dosage forms
Typical dosing 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 forms
Interactions between Lunesta (eszopiclone) and other drugs
More on Lunesta (eszopiclone) interactions
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
How much does Lunesta (eszopiclone) cost?
Lunesta (eszopiclone) contraindications
Have experienced abnormal sleep behaviors (e.g., sleepwalking, sleep driving) after taking Lunesta (eszopiclone)
What are alternatives to Lunesta (eszopiclone)?
Insomnia (trouble falling or staying asleep)
Insomnia (difficulty falling asleep)
What is the latest news about Lunesta (eszopiclone)?
Lunesta (eszopiclone) images
Get savings updates for Lunesta (eszopiclone)
Receive price alerts, news, and other messages from GoodRx about Lunesta (eszopiclone) and other healthcare topics and relevant savings offers.By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.
References
Best studies we foundAgravat, A. (2018). ‘Z’-hypnotics versus benzodiazepines for the treatment of insomnia. Progress in Neurology and Psychiatry I.
Brielmaier B. D. (2006). Eszopiclone (Lunesta): A new nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic agent. Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings.
Doty, R.L., et al. A double-blind study of the influences of eszopiclone on dysgeusia and taste function. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior.
Koshorek, G., et al. (2020). 0497 rebound insomnia during discontinuation of chronic hypnotic use. Sleep.
Lie, J. D., et al. (2015). Pharmacological treatment of insomnia. Pharmacy & Therapeutics.
Monti, J. M., et al. (2007). Eszopiclone: Its use in the treatment of insomnia. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment.
Roehrs, T., et al. (1990). Rebound insomnia: Its determinants and significance. The American Journal of Medicine.
Sateia, M. J., et al. (2017). Clinical practice guideline for the pharmacologic treatment of chronic insomnia in adults: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc. (2023). Lunesta- eszopiclone tablet, coated [package insert]. DailyMed.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2019). Taking Z-drugs for insomnia? Know the risks.
U.S. Food and Drug Safety. (2016). FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA warns of next-day impairment with sleep aid Lunesta (eszopiclone) and lowers recommended dose.
Compare other Insomnia drugs
Browse medications
View AllResearch prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.