Indications and usage

LUNESTA is indicated for the treatment of insomnia. In controlled outpatient and sleep laboratory studies, LUNESTA administered at bedtime decreased sleep latency and improved sleep maintenance.
The clinical trials performed in support of efficacy were up to 6 months in duration. The final formal assessments of sleep latency and maintenance were performed at 4 weeks in the 6-week study, at the end of both 2-week studies and at the end of the 6-month study.

How To Use LUNESTA Oral

Take this medication by mouth usually once nightly, immediately before going to bed, or as directed by your doctor. Do not take it with or immediately after a high-fat or heavy meal. Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush or break the tablet unless instructed by your doctor.

Lunesta Side Effects

As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with Lunesta?® (eszopiclone). However, not everyone who takes the medicine will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate Lunesta well. When Lunesta side effects do occur, they are generally minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider.

The Lunesta side effects discussed below are not a complete list of side effects reported with this drug. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of possible side effects with you.

Recommended Treatment

General symptomatic and supportive measures should be used along with immediate gastric lavage where appropriate. Intravenous fluids should be administered as needed. Flumazenil may be useful. As in all cases of drug overdose, respiration, pulse, blood pressure, and other appropriate signs should be monitored and general supportive measures employed. Hypotension and CNS depression should be monitored and treated by appropriate medical intervention. The value of dialysis in the treatment of overdosage has not been determined.

Some Lunesta Precautions and Warnings

Lunesta can interact with certain medications.

If you drink alcohol, let your healthcare provider know prior to starting Lunesta. In general, people should not use alcohol when taking Lunesta because it can increase the risks of developing Lunesta side effects.

Lunesta can cause drowsiness and other sedating effects. Taking Lunesta with other medications that cause drowsiness can increase the risk of side effects.

Adults 18 years and older

The usual starting dose is 2 milligrams taken immediately before bedtime. If you have trouble staying asleep, the doctor may increase your dosage. If you have severe liver disease, the usual starting dose is 1 milligrams, not to exceed 2 milligrams in one night.
If you are 65 years or older and have trouble falling asleep, the usual starting dose is 1 mg taken immediately before bedtime. Your doctor may increase the dose to 2 mg if you cannot stay asleep.