Lunesta

Lunesta is a sleep medicine that is commonly prescribed for the treatment of insomnia in adults. The medication comes in the form of a tablet that is taken before bedtime and is available in three different strengths. Headache, drowsiness, and unpleasant taste are some of the more common side effects of Lunesta. While Lunesta has proven to be effective in helping people fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, it should be taken with caution because it is a controlled substance that can be abused.

 

What Is Lunesta?

Lunesta® (eszopiclone) is a prescription sleep medication used for insomnia treatment. It is part of a class of medications called sedatives or hypnotics.
 
(Click Lunesta Uses for more information on what Lunesta is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes Lunesta?

Lunesta is manufactured by Sepracor Inc.
 

How Does Lunesta Work?

Lunesta is part of a class of medications called sedative/hypnotics, which are known more commonly as sleep medicines. Like many other sleep medications, Lunesta is a controlled substance and may be abused.
 

Lunesta Effects

Lunesta has been evaluated in several clinical studies for insomnia. In studies for chronic insomnia, people who took Lunesta fell asleep faster and stayed asleep longer than people who did not take Lunesta. Similar results were seen in a study of Lunesta in people with transient insomnia (insomnia that comes and goes).
 
Also, studies have shown that Lunesta can cause mild rebound insomnia (worsening of insomnia after stopping a medication). Rebound insomnia symptoms usually occurred for only one night after Lunesta was stopped, after which people returned to their normal sleeping patterns.
 
(Lunesta Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;