Compare Lunesta vs. Doxepin
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Helps you sleep.
Lunesta (Eszopiclone) is good for falling asleep and staying asleep. Not as habit-forming as some sleep medicines, but more likely to cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop suddenly.
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3.3/ 5 average rating with 592 reviewsforLunesta
Helps you stop itching.
Zonalon (Doxepin) works well treating itchy skin, but could make you sleepy.
Upsides
- Effective at helping people fall asleep faster and sleep longer.
- Not as habit-forming, so you can use it for longer than most other sleep medicines.
- In clinical trials, Zonalon (Doxepin) was found to be the most effective cream for treating itchy skin.
- You can use Zonalon (Doxepin) for up to 8 days at a time.
Downsides
- More likely to cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it suddenly.
- Might not be safe if you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, depression, lung disease, or a condition that affects metabolism.
- It's easy to become reliant on sleep medicines. In the long run, it's better to learn good sleeping habits and behavior so that you can sleep better naturally.
- You need a prescription for Zonalon (Doxepin).
- It isn't available as a generic, so it could be kind of pricey.
- Zonalon (Doxepin) can make you sleepy.
- Zonalon (Doxepin) can interact with other medications, vitamins, or alternative treatments.
Used for
- Skin intching (moderate)
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Cream, gel, or ointment
Price
Lowest price
$16.01
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$672.67
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Reviews
592 reviews so far
55%
saidit'sworth it
36%
saiditworked well
17%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Lunesta (Eszopiclone)?
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Side effects
10possible side effects
- Headache15%
- Unpleasant Taste8%
- Dyspepsia6%
- Pain4%
- Diarrhea4%
- Pruritus4%
- Dry Mouth3%
- Abnormal Dreams3%
- Neuralgia3%
- Urinary Tract Infection3%
The Zonalon (Doxepin) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Dependence and withdrawal
- Continuous use for 2 weeks or more
- Driving impairment
- Alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- Less than 7 hours of sleep.
- Abnormal thoughts
- Undiagnosed psychiatric conditions
- Sleep driving
- Taking with alcohol or drugs that acts in the brain
- Serious allergic reactions
- Risk of falls and injury
- Elderly
- Higher dose
- Liver problems
- Taking Lunesta (Eszopiclone) with other nervous system depressants
- Long-term use
- Risk to fetus
- Women of childbearing age
- Breast-feeding
- Sleepiness