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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 doctor.

1. What is LUNESTA?
2. What does LUNESTA do?
3. Who can take LUNESTA?
4. Who should not take LUNESTA?
5. How do I take LUNESTA?
6. Can I take LUNESTA with alcohol?
7. Can I take LUNESTA with food?
8. Can I take LUNESTA if I'm on other medications?
9. Can I become dependent on LUNESTA?
10. If I start taking LUNESTA, do I have to take it every night?
11. How will I feel the day after I take LUNESTA?
12. What are the common side effects of LUNESTA?
13. Are there any serious side effects from taking LUNESTA?
14. Before prescribing LUNESTA, what will my doctor need to know?
15. What if I already use an over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aid?
16. I've never taken a sleep aid before – why should I now?
17. What if I'm taking another prescription sleep aid?
18. What are the available doses for LUNESTA?
19. How should I store LUNESTA?
20. What if I experience a bad taste?

What is LUNESTA?
LUNESTA® (eszopiclone) is a prescription sleep aid that can help the majority of people fall asleep and stay asleep,* so you can wake up feeling rested and ready to face your day. LUNESTA has been extensively studied in patients with short-term and chronic insomnia.

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What does LUNESTA do?
LUNESTA works with your body to enhance the activity of a "sleep chemical" called gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA.

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Who can take LUNESTA?
LUNESTA is for adults with insomnia. If you are having problems falling or staying asleep, you should ask your doctor if LUNESTA may be right for you.

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Who should not take LUNESTA?
Do not take LUNESTA if you are allergic to anything in it. You can see the LUNESTA Medication Guide for a listing of ingredients. As with all medications, LUNESTA has side effects, so be sure to speak with your doctor about the potential benefits and risks. Before starting LUNESTA, tell your doctor 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

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How do I take LUNESTA?
Only take LUNESTA as directed by your doctor. Follow your doctor's instructions about how, when, and how long to take LUNESTA. You should only take LUNESTA if you have 8 hours to devote to sleep.

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Can I take LUNESTA with alcohol?
No. As indicated in the LUNESTA Medication Guide, never drink alcohol with LUNESTA or any other sleep medicine. Alcohol can increase the side effects of LUNESTA.

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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 doctor.

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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 doctor. Some ingredients of other medications can create harmful interactions.

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Can I become dependent on LUNESTA?
Most sleep medicines, including LUNESTA, carry some risk of being habit-forming. In clinical studies, there was a low risk of becoming dependent on LUNESTA. People who have been dependent on alcohol or other drugs in the past may have a higher chance of becoming addicted to sleep medicines.

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If I start taking LUNESTA, do I have to take it every night?
LUNESTA should be taken only as prescribed by your doctor. Some people take LUNESTA on a short-term, "as-needed" basis, while others with chronic sleep problems take it every night. You and your doctor can make a plan that works for your individual needs.

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How will I feel the day after I take LUNESTA?
Because LUNESTA helps you fall asleep and stay asleep, you may be like many who wake up feeling rested and ready to face the day. However, it is possible that you 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.

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What are the common side effects of LUNESTA?
As with any medicine, LUNESTA may have side effects. 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.

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Are there any serious side effects from taking 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 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 doctor right away if you have any of the above side effects or any other side effects that worry you while taking LUNESTA.

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Before prescribing LUNESTA, what will my doctor need to know?
It's important to tell your doctor 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 doctor 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 doctor if you have liver disease or are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

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What if I already use an over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aid?
OTC aids can help you sleep, however, it is not recommended to take them every day for more than 14 days without speaking to a doctor. If you've been taking an OTC sleep aid for longer than two weeks, talk with your doctor.

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I've never taken a sleep aid before – why should I now?
It's important to know that short-term (transient) insomnia may turn into chronic insomnia. 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 doctor about your sleep problem and if LUNESTA may be right for you.

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What if I'm taking another prescription sleep aid?
If you're taking a prescription sleep aid and not getting the sleep you need, you should talk to your doctor to find out if prescription LUNESTA is right for you.

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What are the available doses for LUNESTA?
LUNESTA is available in 1-, 2-, and 3-mg tablets. Your doctor 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 doctor.

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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.

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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
  • Keeping a Sleep Diary to see your sleep patterns clearly

If you experience this or any other side effect that concerns you, 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 Sepracor Drug Safety and Adverse Events at 1-877-737-7226.

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Click to download the LUNESTA Medication Guide.

This information is not meant to replace your doctor's instructions. If you have any questions about LUNESTA tablets, be sure to ask your doctor.

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* In clinical studies LUNESTA was proven effective to help the majority of patients fall asleep quickly and stay asleep
   for up to 7 hours.

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.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:
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 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.  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 doctor 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.  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. For more information, please see the LUNESTA Medication Guide.

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 provider, considering the unique characteristics of the patient. LUNESTA is a medicine used to treat insomnia. Remember that no medicine is for everyone. Only your doctor can prescribe LUNESTA for you.

This site is intended for U.S. residents 18 years of age or older.

 
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