Warnings For Use<\/strong><\/td>Contraindicated conditions:
\n\u2022 History of substance abuse
\n
\nDrug interactions:
\n\u2022 Central nervous system depressants,
\n\u2022 Other sleep aids
\n\u2022 Opioid pain medication
\n\u2022 Antihistamine medications
\n\u2022 Cold and cough medicines
\n\u2022 Muscle relaxants
\n\u2022 Metoclopramide
\n\u2022 Recreational drugs, including marijuana and Kratom
\n<\/td> | Contraindicated conditions:
\n\u2022 Kidney, liver, or lung disease
\n\u2022 History of substance abuse
\n
\nDrug interactions:
\n\u2022 Other CNS depressants
\n\u2022 Other sleep aids
\n\u2022 Certain antihypertensives
\n\u2022 Neuropathic pain medications
\n\u2022 Psychiatric medications
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n\nWhat is Lunesta?<\/h2>\n\n\n\nLunesta is the name brand of eszopiclone, a sedative or hypnotic medication that is used to treat insomnia. This sleep medication works by binding to inhibitory GABA receptors in the brain to slow activity and help you fall asleep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lunesta Forms and Doses<\/h3>\n\n\n\nLunesta is available in 1 mg, 2 mg, and 3 mg tablets. When starting the medication, you are typically prescribed the lowest dose of 1 mg to be taken right before bedtime. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The dose can be increased weekly, as needed, with a maximum dose of 3 mg per day. Lunesta is considered to be a schedule-IV controlled substance because of its potential for abuse and dependence and, therefore, should not be taken for long periods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Conditions Lunesta Treats<\/h3>\n\n\n\nLunesta is only FDA-approved for the treatment of insomnia. This medication helps those who have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep throughout the night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Insomnia<\/h4>\n\n\n\nInsomnia is a relatively common condition and can have serious consequences if you are not getting adequate sleep most nights of the week. Sleep plays an important role in maintaining your physical and emotional well-being, and if you are not getting enough rest throughout the night, you are likely experiencing consequences throughout the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a few different types of insomnia that can overlap with one another. Acute insomnia is characterized by short bouts of sleepless nights, while chronic insomnia is characterized by one to two sleepless nights a week for a month or more. There is also onset insomnia, meaning you have trouble falling asleep, and maintenance insomnia, meaning that you have trouble staying asleep and frequently wake up throughout the night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Secondary symptoms of insomnia include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n \n- Excessive daytime sleepiness<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Fatigue<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Difficulty with concentration<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Lack of motivation or energy <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Irritability<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Increased appetite<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- New or worsening anxiety or depressive symptoms <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Difficulty with memory<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Lunesta Costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\nLunesta can be a relatively expensive medication if it is not covered by your health insurance plan or you are uninsured. The retail price for a 30-day supply of Lunesta is around $586 but can be significantly reduced to under $7 with the use of coupon codes and generic forms. Coupons are available at the majority of large name-brand pharmacies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lunesta Side Effects<\/h3>\n\n\n\nAs with any medication, there are potential side effects that you may experience when starting a new medication. If you begin to experience severe or persistent side effects when taking Lunesta, contact your healthcare provider. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The most common side effects of Lunesta include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n \n- Headache <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Nausea<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Diarrhea<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Dry mouth <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Drowsiness or dizziness<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- New or worsening anxiety or depression <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Skin rash <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Strange dreams<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Hallucinations <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Lunesta Warnings For Use<\/h3>\n\n\n\nA few serious adverse effects should be discussed before starting Lunesta. You should contact your healthcare provider immediately if you begin to experience any of the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Complex Sleep Behaviors<\/h4>\n\n\n\nLunesta can cause complex sleep behaviors, which describe any activity or behavior that the individual undergoes while they are not fully awake or conscious. This may include sleepwalking or even sleep-driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is rare but can be a very serious and potentially life-threatening side effect of the medication. You should be carefully monitored when starting Lunesta and immediately discontinue the medication if you begin to experience any complex sleep behaviors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Dependency Warning<\/h4>\n\n\n\nLunesta is indicated for the short-term treatment of insomnia and should not be used consistently for long periods. As previously mentioned, this medication is a Schedule IV controlled substance, according to the FDA, because of its potential for abuse and dependence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Continued or prolonged use of Lunesta can result in tolerance and needing more of the drug to achieve the same effects. Higher, prolonged usage increases the risk of dependency. Additionally, long-term use of this medication has been associated with an increased risk of behavioral and psychiatric changes, including irritability, bizarre behavior, hallucinations, and depersonalization. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Those with a current or past history of substance abuse should avoid this medication, and your healthcare provider must complete a full psychiatric history and evaluation before prescribing it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Withdrawal Symptoms<\/h4>\n\n\n\nIf you are taking this medication daily for an extended period, do not abruptly discontinue the medication, as this can cause withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are unhappy with your medication or are thinking of stopping it, as they will safely taper you off the medication by slowly decreasing your dose weekly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lunesta Interactions<\/h3>\n\n\n\nAs always, disclose all medications you are currently taking with your healthcare provider, including all over-the-counter medications and supplements. There are several interactions with Lunesta that can be potentially dangerous, including seemingly harmless over-the-counter medications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Drugs to avoid with Lunesta include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n \n- Central nervous system (CNS) depressants, such as alcohol or benzodiazepines<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Other sleep aids <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Opioid pain medication <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Antihistamine medications, including Benadryl, Zyrtec, or Vistaril <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cold and cough medicines<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Muscle relaxants <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Metoclopramide<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Recreational drugs, including marijuana and Kratom<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\t\t
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