Lunesta
(Eszopiclone)
Helps you sleep.
Our bottom line
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.
- Price before coupon$212.96
- Lowest price with coupon$12.9594% savings
- Drug class: Mental health
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (eszopiclone)
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.
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What to expect from Lunesta, on one page
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592Downsides
- 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.
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What to expect from Lunesta, on one page
Download Fact SheetLunesta (Eszopiclone) is in a class of drugs called sedative-hypnotics. Researchers don't know exactly how it works, but it interacts with your brain to make you relaxed and sleepy.
- Drug class: Mental health
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (eszopiclone)
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
Prices and coupons
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- Medicine ShoppeGet free coupon$16.01
What to expect when you take Lunesta (Eszopiclone) for Insomnia
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Full effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Headache
- Unpleasant taste
- Dizziness
- Stomach problems
- Next-day sleepiness
- Common cold symptoms
Side effect rates for Lunesta (Eszopiclone)
- Headache15%15%14%14%
- Unpleasant Taste8%8%
- Dyspepsia6%6%2%2%
- Pain4%4%2%2%
- Diarrhea4%4%2%2%
- Pruritus4%4%1%1%
- Dry Mouth3%3%2%2%
- Abnormal Dreams3%3%
- Neuralgia3%3%
- Urinary Tract Infection3%3%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Lunesta.
People taking Lunesta felt side effect more
People taking Lunesta felt side effect less
Risks and Warnings for Lunesta (Eszopiclone)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › Continuous use for 2 weeks or more
All prescription sleep-aid medicines like Lunesta (Eszopiclone) have a risk of physical dependence. Dependence means that you'll feel withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the medication all at once. Talk to your doctor about natural ways to improve sleep or treat underlying conditions that prevent sleep.
Pharmacist Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this drug for?
This medication treats insomnia.Common concerns from people taking Lunesta (Eszopiclone)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?Research studies with animals found harmful effects on unborn babies. It hasn’t been properly studied in humans. The benefits might outweigh the risks even if you’re pregnant. Talk with your doctor.
Tip: Always talk with your doctor before you take any medication while pregnant.- Avoid alcohol and drugs.
- Might not be safe if you have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, depression, lung disease, or a condition that affects metabolism.
- Worth itLow hassleReviewed Lunestaon 5/13/2015This is a monster breakthrough for insomniacs. Based on an earlier European drug, it is one of the very few, perhaps the only, good drugs for insomnia. The difference between no sleep and moderate sleep is a vast life improvement to me.57ManTwo years or moreInsomnia
- Lunesta (Eszopiclone) make you feel drowsy and sleepy, leading to falls and severe injuries. This is especially a risk if your older. Falls from sleep medicines like Lunesta (Eszopiclone) have caused severe injuries such as hip fractures and head injury. You may need a lower dose if you're taking other medicine that affects your nervous system or have issues with falls in the past. Check with your doctor first.
- Only take it if you have time to sleep for at least 7 hours.
- Can cause headache, drowsiness, and dizziness.
- Effective at helping people fall asleep faster and sleep longer.