LUNESTA FAQs
It’s important to learn about a prescription medication before you start taking it. If you have questions not answered here, be sure to ask your healthcare professional.
1. What is LUNESTA?
2. Is there a generic prescription available for LUNESTA?
3. What if my pharmacist mentions that there may be a generic prescription option available to me?
4. How does LUNESTA work?
5. What is GABA?
6. Who can take LUNESTA?
7. Who should not take LUNESTA?
8. How do I take LUNESTA?
9. Can I take LUNESTA with alcohol?
10. Can I take LUNESTA with food?
11. Can I take LUNESTA if I'm on other medications?
12. Can I become dependent on LUNESTA?
13. If I start taking LUNESTA, do I have to take it every night?
14. How will I feel the day after I take LUNESTA?
15. What are the common side effects of LUNESTA?
16. Does LUNESTA have any serious side effects?
17. Before prescribing LUNESTA, what will my healthcare professional need to know?
18. What if I already use an over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aid?
19. I've never taken a sleep aid before – why should I now?
20. What are the available doses for LUNESTA?
21. How should I store LUNESTA?
22. What if I experience a bad taste?
23. Are there any savings offers to help reduce my out-of-pocket expenses?
What is LUNESTA?
LUNESTA is a sedative-hypnotic (sleep) medicine. LUNESTA is used in adults for the treatment of a sleep problem called insomnia. Symptoms of insomnia include:
- Trouble falling asleep
- Waking up often during the night
LUNESTA is not for children under the age of 18.
Is there a generic prescription available for LUNESTA?
There is no generic form of LUNESTA available. LUNESTA is a prescription sleep aid that helps the majority of people with insomnia get back to a good night’s sleep*. If you are concerned about the cost of LUNESTA, we offer the LUNESTA Rest for Less™ Savings Program.
With this program you may be able to reduce your co-pay to as low as $0† dollars on each of your next 12 prescription fills per calendar year. See offer details and terms and conditions.
What if my pharmacist mentions that there may be a generic prescription option available for me?
If you and your healthcare professional decide that LUNESTA is right for you and your specific sleeping problem, talk to your healthcare professional before making any change. There is no generic form of LUNESTA at this time. LUNESTA is a prescription sleep aid that helps the majority of people with insomnia get back to a good night's sleep.
If you are concerned about the cost of LUNESTA, we offer the LUNESTA Rest for Less™ Savings Program. With this program you may be able to reduce your co-pay to as low as $0† dollars on each of your next 12 prescription fills per calendar year. See offer details and terms and conditions.
Speak with your healthcare professional or insurance company if you’re not familiar with your health plan’s coverage of prescription medicine.
How does LUNESTA work?
The exact way LUNESTA works is unknown but it is thought to interact with GABA receptors associated with sleep.
What is GABA?
GABA—gamma-aminobutyric acid—is one of the most important chemicals associated with sleep. LUNESTA is thought to interact with GABA receptors. See how LUNESTA may work.
Who can take LUNESTA?
LUNESTA is for adults with insomnia. If you are having problems falling or staying asleep, you should ask your healthcare professional if LUNESTA may be right for you.
Who should not take LUNESTA?
Do not take LUNESTA if you are allergic to anything in it. Check the LUNESTA Medication Guide for a listing of ingredients. As with all medications, LUNESTA has side effects, so be sure to speak with your healthcare professional about the potential benefits and risks. Before starting LUNESTA, tell your healthcare professional about all of your health conditions, including if you:
- Take other medications that can make you sleepy
- Have a history of depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts
- Have a history of drug or alcohol abuse or addiction
- Have liver disease
- Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
How do I take LUNESTA?
Only take LUNESTA as directed by your healthcare professional. Be sure to take LUNESTA with water right before bed. LUNESTA should never be taken with alcohol. You should only take LUNESTA if you have 8 hours to devote to sleep.
Can I take LUNESTA with alcohol?
No. As indicated in the LUNESTA Medication Guide, never drink alcohol with LUNESTA. Alcohol can increase the side effects of LUNESTA.
Can I take LUNESTA with food?
For LUNESTA to work best, you should not take it with or right after a heavy meal. As with all medications, you should take LUNESTA only as directed by your healthcare professional.
Can I take LUNESTA if I'm on other medications?
Before taking LUNESTA with any medication, including over-the-counter (OTC) or herbal remedies, or making any changes to your treatment plan, you should talk with your healthcare professional. Other medications may cause harmful interactions. Do not take LUNESTA with other medications that can make you sleepy.
Can I become dependent on LUNESTA?
LUNESTA, like most sleep medicines, carries some risk of dependency. People who have been dependent on alcohol or other drugs in the past may have a higher chance of becoming dependent on sleep medicines.
If I start taking LUNESTA, do I have to take it every night?
LUNESTA should be taken only as prescribed by your healthcare professional. Some people take LUNESTA on a short-term, "as-needed" basis, while others with chronic sleep problems take it as long as needed. You and your healthcare professional will develop a sleep plan that works for your individual needs.
How will I feel the day after I take LUNESTA?
Some patients may still feel drowsy the next morning after taking LUNESTA. Do not drive or do other dangerous activities after taking LUNESTA until you feel fully awake.
What are the common side effects of LUNESTA?
In clinical studies, the most common side effects people taking LUNESTA had were an unpleasant taste in the mouth, dry mouth, morning drowsiness, dizziness, headache, and symptoms of the common cold.
Does LUNESTA have any serious side effects?
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 is the most important information I should know about LUNESTA?" in the LUNESTA Medication Guide).
- 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 healthcare professional right away if you have any of the above side effects or any other side effects that worry you while taking LUNESTA.
Before prescribing LUNESTA, what will my healthcare professional need to know?
It's important to tell your healthcare professional about your specific symptoms, and how long you've had them. Share a list of all your medications (prescription and otherwise), vitamins, and supplements. Your healthcare professional will want to know if you have a history of depression, mental illness, suicidal thoughts, drug/alcohol abuse or addiction. You should also tell your healthcare professional if you have liver disease or are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
What if I already use an over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aid?
LUNESTA should not be taken with any other sleep aid.
I've never taken a sleep aid before – why should I now?
Sleep helps the body conserve energy and recharge — missing these important functions can have an impact on your health. If you've been experiencing difficulty sleeping for more than a few weeks, talk to your healthcare professional about your sleep problem and if a sleep aid like LUNESTA may be right for you.
What are the available doses for LUNESTA?
LUNESTA is available in 1-, 2-, and 3-mg tablets. Your healthcare professional can tell you which starting dose is right, depending on your age, health, and specific sleep problem. As with any sleep medication, you shouldn't change your dose before talking to your healthcare professional.
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.
What if I experience a bad taste?
Some people experience an unpleasant taste after taking LUNESTA. Here are some simple things you can try. These suggestions have not been studied, but they may work for you:
- Drinking a full glass of water when you take it
- Swallowing the pill immediately
- Taking the pill whole, not chewing or crushing it
- Having orange juice or something acidic when you wake up
- Brushing teeth and tongue
- Using chewing gum or mouthwash
If you experience this or any other side effect that concerns you, talk to your healthcare professional. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. In addition, contact Sunovion Drug Safety and Adverse Events at 1-877-737-7226.
Are there any savings offers to help reduce my out-of-pocket expenses?
Yes. We have two offers. To help you get started you can register and download a 7-Night Free Trial Offer voucher. This voucher, when accompanied by your signed prescription from your healthcare professional, can help you take advantage of 7 nights free.
We also offer the LUNESTA Rest for Less™ Savings Program -- a zero dollar co-pay reduction card program. The LUNESTA Rest For Less™ Savings Program provides most LUNESTA patients with their prescription free by saving them up to $50 on each of their next 12 prescription fills each calendar year. That is up to $600 in savings a year. Offer details and terms and conditions.
Not restricted to household income. You can even save if you pay for your prescriptions out-of-pocket.
Click to download the LUNESTA Medication Guide.
This information is not meant to replace your healthcare professional's instructions. If you have any questions about LUNESTA tablets, be sure to ask your healthcare professional.
*In clinical studies LUNESTA was proven effective to help the majority of patients with insomnia fall asleep quickly and stay asleep for up to 7 hours.
†Maximum benefit is $50 off, on up to 12 prescription fills of LUNESTA. Not valid for patients participating in Medicare, Medicaid, government (public insurance) programs, or any private payor in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and where prohibited by law. Click here for offer details and terms and conditions.
Lunesta® (eszopiclone) is a prescription sleep medicine used in adults for the treatment of a sleep problem called insomnia. Symptoms of insomnia include trouble falling asleep and waking up often during the night.
LUNESTA acts quickly, so take it right before bed, and only if you have 8 hours to devote to sleep. Until you know how you will react to LUNESTA, you should not drive or operate machinery. Call your healthcare professional 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. Walking, eating, driving, or engaging in other activities while asleep without remembering it the next day have been reported. Other abnormal behaviors include aggressiveness, agitation, hallucinations, and confusion. In depressed patients, worsening of depression including risk of suicide may occur. These risks may increase if you drink alcohol. Severe allergic reactions such as swelling of the tongue and throat occur rarely and may be fatal. Call your healthcare professional if you experience these or any effects or reactions that concern you. LUNESTA, like most sleep medicines, carries some risk of dependency. Side effects may include unpleasant taste, headache, morning drowsiness, and dizziness. For more information, please see the LUNESTA Medication Guide.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider. The products discussed herein may have different product labeling in different countries. All decisions regarding patient care must be made with a healthcare professional, considering the unique characteristics of the patient. Remember that no medicine is for everyone. Only your healthcare professional can prescribe LUNESTA for you.
This site is intended for U.S. residents 18 years of age or older.
LUNESTA and
are registered trademarks and REST FOR LESS is a trademark of Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a U.S. subsidiary of Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co. Ltd., and
is a registered trademark of Dainippon Sumitomo Pharma Co. Ltd© 2012 Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. All rights reserved.
