How can Lunesta® (eszopiclone) help me?
Non-narcotic LUNESTA has been proven to help most people fall asleep and stay asleep, with less time spent awake in the middle of the night, so they can wake up feeling refreshed from a good night's sleep.
I'm currently taking an OTC sleep aid
If you're currently taking an OTC sleep aid, your doctor can help determine if non-narcotic LUNESTA is right for you. OTCs can help you sleep, but most are not meant to be used continuously for longer than 14 days without speaking to your doctor. If you’ve been taking an OTC sleep aid for longer than two weeks, you should talk with your doctor to see if a long-term sleep aid may be more suitable or if you are suffering from a different sleeping problem.
I've never taken a sleep aid before
If you've been experiencing difficulty sleeping for more than a few weeks, it's important you talk to your doctor because short-term, or transient, insomnia may turn into chronic insomnia if ignored.
I'm currently taking a prescription sleep aid
If you have been taking a prescription sleep aid and are still not getting the sleep you need, talk to your doctor to determine if non-narcotic LUNESTA may be right for you.
If I start LUNESTA do I have to take it every night?
LUNESTA should be taken as prescribed by your doctor. Some people take LUNESTA on a short-term, “as-needed” basis, while others who have chronic sleep problems take LUNESTA every night. However, LUNESTA has been studied in patients with both short-term and long-term (12 months of nightly use) insomnia. You and your doctor need to determine a sleep plan that works for you and your individual needs.
Can I become dependent on LUNESTA?
In general, most sleep medicines carry some risk of being habit-forming. In the LUNESTA clinical studies, there was a low risk of becoming dependent on the medicine. However, people who have been dependent on alcohol or other drugs in the past may have a higher chance of becoming addicted to sleep medicines.
What are the available doses for LUNESTA?
LUNESTA is available in 1, 2, and 3 mg tablets. Your doctor will determine which starting dose is right for you depending on your age, health, and your specific sleep problem. As with any sleep medication, do not increase your dose before talking to your doctor.
How should I take LUNESTA?
- Take LUNESTA exactly as prescribed. Do not take more LUNESTA than prescribed for you.
- Take LUNESTA right before you get into bed.
- Do not take LUNESTA with or right after a meal.
- Do not take LUNESTA unless you are able to get a full night’s sleep before you must be active again.
- Call your doctor if your insomnia worsens or is not better within 7 to 10 days. This may mean that there is another condition causing your sleep problems.
- If you take too much LUNESTA or overdose, call your doctor or poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment.
How will I feel right after I take LUNESTA?
LUNESTA helps most people fall asleep quickly. So shortly after taking it, you should begin to feel sleepy.
What important information should I know about LUNESTA?
After taking LUNESTA, you may get up out of bed while not being fully awake and do an activity that you do not know you are doing. The next morning, you may not remember that you did anything during the night. You have a higher chance for doing these activities if you drink alcohol or take other medicines that make you sleepy with LUNESTA. Reported activities include:
- driving a car ("sleep-driving")
- making and eating food
- talking on the phone
- having sex
- sleep-walking
Call your doctor right away if you find out that you have done any of the above activities after taking LUNESTA.
Important:
- Take LUNESTA exactly as prescribed
- Do not take more LUNESTA than prescribed.
- Take LUNESTA right before you get in bed, not sooner.
- 2. Do not take LUNESTA if you:
- drink alcohol
- take other medicines that can make you sleepy. Talk to your doctor about all of your medicines. Your doctor will tell you if you can take LUNESTA with your other medicines
- are not able to devote yourself to a full night of sleep
How should I take LUNESTA?
- Take LUNESTA exactly as prescribed. Do not take more LUNESTA than prescribed for you.
- Take LUNESTA right before you get into bed.
- Do not take LUNESTA with or right after a meal.
- Do not take LUNESTA unless you are able to get a full night’s sleep before you must be active again.
- Call your doctor if your insomnia worsens or is not better within 7 to 10 days. This may mean that there is another condition causing your sleep problems.
- If you take too much LUNESTA or overdose, call your doctor or poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment.
What are the possible side effects of LUNESTA?
Possible serious side effects of LUNESTA include:
- getting out of bed while not being fully awake and doing an activity that you do not know you are doing. (See “What important information should I know about LUNESTA?)
- abnormal thoughts and behavior. Symptoms include more outgoing or aggressive behavior than normal, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, worsening of depression, and suicidal thoughts or actions.
- memory loss
- anxiety
- severe allergic reactions. Symptoms include swelling of the tongue or throat, trouble breathing, and nausea and vomiting. Get emergency medical help if you get these symptoms after taking LUNESTA.
Call your doctor right away if you have any of the above side effects or any other side effects while using LUNESTA.
What are the most common side effects of LUNESTA?
The most common side effects of LUNESTA are:
- unpleasant taste in mouth, dry mouth
- drowsiness
- dizziness
- headache
- symptoms of the common cold
- You may still feel drowsy the next day after taking LUNESTA. Do not drive or do other dangerous activities after taking LUNESTA until you feel fully awake.
These are not all the side effects of LUNESTA. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I Store LUNESTA?
- Store LUNESTA at room temperature, between 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C).
- Do not use LUNESTA after the expiration date.
- Keep LUNESTA and all medicines out of reach of children.
Click here to download the Lunesta Medication Guide.
Please read this summary of information about LUNESTA before you talk to your doctor or start using LUNESTA. It is not meant to take the place of your doctor's instructions. If you have any questions about LUNESTA tablets, be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist.
|
