What is Lunesta?
Lunesta, also known as a hypnotic or sedative, is a sedative. It works by affecting chemicals in the brain, which may be out of balance in people who have sleep problems.Lunesta is used for treating insomnia.Lunesta relaxes you and helps you sleep.
Warnings
Lunesta can cause severe allergic reactions. If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic response, stop taking Lunesta and seek emergency medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, or throat; hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your tongue, lip, or cheek. Lunesta makes you sleepy. This medication should not be taken during normal waking hours unless you are able to sleep for at least eight hours.Some people who use this medication have no memory of activities such as driving, eating, or making telephone calls. Stop taking Lunesta immediately and consult your doctor to find another sleep disorder treatment.Lunesta may cause side effects that can affect your ability to think or react. The morning after taking this medication, you may still feel sleepy. Be cautious if you are driving, operating machinery, flying an aeroplane, or doing anything else that requires alertness and awareness until you know the effects of this medication during waking hours. While taking medications, alcohol should never be consumed. Alcohol can intensify some side effects, including drowsiness. Eszopiclone can be addictive and should only be taken by the prescribed person. Lunesta is not to be given to anyone, especially if they have a history of drug use or addiction. Store the medication safely, out of reach of others.If you suddenly stop taking the medication after several days of taking it, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. You should not suddenly stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. It may be necessary to reduce the dosage before stopping completely.
Similar/related drugs
Quviviq, Lorazepam, Melatonin, Zolpidem, Diphenhydramine, Ativan, and Ambien
Before you take this drug
If you are allergic or have taken sleep medication and then forgotten what you did, you should not take Lunesta.Lunesta should not be used by anyone under the age of 18.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that Lunesta will be safe for you:
- Liver disease
- A breathing disorder;
- Depression or thoughts of suicide;
- Addiction to alcohol or drugs
Inform your doctor immediately if you become pregnant or breastfeeding, to avoid complications during gestation or lactation.Eszopiclone's sedative effect may be greater in older adults. Sedatives can cause elderly patients to fall. Take care to prevent falling or injury when taking Lunesta.
How to take Lunesta?
Follow the instructions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Reread all instructions found on your prescription label.Eszopiclone can be addictive. Misuse may lead to addiction, overdose, or death. Store the medication away from others. Selling or giving away medications without authorization is prohibited by law.Lunesta helps you fall asleep. This medicine should not be taken during normal waking hours unless you can devote at least seven to eight hours to sleep.If your symptoms don't improve or worsen after 7–10 days of treatment, call your doctor.You may experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking Lunesta after several consecutive days. You should ask your doctor about how to stop taking this medication safely.Store away from moisture or heat at room temperature. Track your medication. Be aware of anyone who is misusing your medicine or using it without a valid prescription.After stopping Lunesta, you may experience insomnia symptoms that are worse than ever. If your insomnia persists after the first few days without Lunesta, tell your doctor.
Details on dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Insomnia:
Initial dose: Take 1 mg of fluoxetine orally, once daily, before going to bed.
Maintenance dose: 1–3 mg taken orally, once daily before going to bed.
Maximum dose: 3 mg/day
Comments:
Use the lowest dose that is effective.
Patients should be closely monitored for motor and/or cognitive impairments, particularly if the drug is taken repeatedly.
If insomnia persists even after seven to ten days of treatment, patients should be evaluated again.
Usual geriatric dose for insomnia:
Initial dose: Take 1 mg of fluoxetine orally, once daily, before going to bed.
Maintenance dose: 1–2 mg taken orally, once daily before going to bed.
Maximum dose: 2 mg/day
Comments:
Use the lowest dose that is effective.
Patients should be closely monitored for any cognitive or motor impairments. This is especially true if the drug has been used frequently.
If insomnia persists even after seven to ten days of treatment, patients should be evaluated again.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Lunesta can be taken at night only, so you won't have to take it frequently. Do not take this medication if you haven't slept for at least seven to eight hours before getting up.Do not take more than one dose at the same time.
What happens if I overdose?
Please call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 if experiencing symptoms related to poison, or seek emergency medical help as soon as possible.An overdose of eszopiclone can be deadly, especially if taken with other drugs that cause drowsiness.
What should be avoided?
Do not take Lunesta while travelling, for example, to sleep on an irplane. You could be awakened by the medication before its effects have worn off. If you don't get 8 hours of sleep, amnesia is more likely to occur.Don't drink alcohol. Side effects and death can occur.Avoid taking Eszopiclone for at least 1 hour after eating heavy or high-fat meals. It will be harder for the body to absorb this medication.Eszopiclone may cause side effects that can impair your reactions or thinking. Even though you may feel sleepy in the morning, you should not drive or operate machinery.
Side effects of Lunesta
Eszopiclone can cause severe allergic reactions. If you experience any of the following symptoms, stop taking Lunesta immediately and seek emergency medical attention: hives, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat.People who use this medication have been known to engage in activities while not fully awake, such as driving or walking. Stop taking Lunesta immediately if this happens.You could suffer serious injury or even death if you drive or walk while not fully awake.
If you experience:
- Anxiety, depression, aggression, and agitation;
- Memory problems are unusual thoughts or behaviours.
- You may have thoughts about hurting yourself
- Hallucinations, confusion (hearing things or seeing them)
Lunesta may cause side effects such as:
- Day-time drowsiness, dizziness, "hangover" feeling;
- Headache, anxiety;
- Dry mouth
- Unusual or unpleasant taste in the mouth
- Rash;
- Cold or flu symptoms include fever, body pains, a sore neck, and a cough.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Contacting the FDA in case of side effects can be accomplished at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drug
Do not use Lunesta if you are taking other drugs to make you sleepy or slow down your breathing. Consult your doctor before taking any opioid medications, muscle relaxers, anxiety medicines, or medicines for seizures.Eszopiclone may interact with other drugs, such as vitamins and herbal products.Informing your physician of all medicines you are currently taking and any new or discontinued ones is vitally important for keeping their care current and optimized.
