Lunesta is a sedative or sleeping medicine used to treat sleeping problems (such as trouble falling asleep, trouble staying asleep during the night, or waking too early in the morning). Lunesta may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Prescribed by U.S. doctors and dispensed by U.S. pharmacists.
Ingredient Name:
ESZOPICLONE (es-zoe-PIK-lone)
Drug Manufacturer:
SEPRACOR PHARMACEUTICALS
Common Uses:
Lunesta is a sedative or sleeping medicine used to treat sleeping problems (such as trouble falling asleep, trouble staying asleep during the night, or waking too early in the morning). Lunesta may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Before Using Lunesta:
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Lunesta. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking certain antibiotics (such as clarithromycin or troleandomycin), certain antifungal medicine (such as ketoconazole or itraconazole), medicines for HIV infection (such as nelfinavir or ritonavir), tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline or imipramine), certain antihistamines (such as diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine), medicine for mental or mood disorders (such as thioridazine, haloperidol, or olanzapine), medicine for seizures (such as phenytoin, carbamazepine, or phenobarbital), lorazepam, rifampicin, nefazodone, or any medicines that may cause drowsiness. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including a history of breathing problems, liver problems, mental or mood disorders, depression, alcoholism, addiction to prescription medicine or other substances, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking Lunesta.
How to Use Lunesta:
Follow the directions for using Lunesta provided by your doctor. Lunesta comes with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about Lunesta. SWALLOW WHOLE. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing unless your doctor tells you to. Do not take Lunesta with or immediately after a high-fat, heavy meal. STORE Lunesta at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and light. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. TAKE Lunesta ONLY AT BEDTIME, either immediately before going to bed or after you have gone to bed and have trouble falling asleep. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF Lunesta and you are taking 1 dose daily at bedtime, skip the missed dose. DO NOT take the dose in the morning or take 2 doses at once.
Cautions:
DO NOT TAKE Lunesta if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. If using Lunesta for an extended period of time (more than 1 or 2 weeks), DO NOT SUDDENLY STOP taking Lunesta without your doctors approval. When used for an extended period of time, Lunesta may not work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if Lunesta stops working well. Some conditions may become worse when the medicine is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be slowly lowered to avoid side effects. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or take Lunesta for longer than prescribed. Exceeding the recommended dose or taking Lunesta for longer than prescribed may be habit-forming. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are taking Lunesta. AVOID ALCOHOL while you are using Lunesta. Lunesta WILL ADD TO THE EFFECTS of alcohol and other medicines that may cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness. Lunesta may cause drowsiness or dizziness, especially when you first start taking it. These effects may carry over into the next day after you take the medicine. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to Lunesta. Using Lunesta alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. TAKING Lunesta OTHER THAN AT BEDTIME MAY INCREASE YOUR RISK FOR SIDE EFFECTS such as short-term memory problems, hallucinations, incoordination, dizziness, or lightheadedness. ONLY TAKE Lunesta WHEN YOU ARE ABLE TO GET A FULL NIGHT OF SLEEP (about 8 hours or more) before you must be active again. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING Lunesta IN THE ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the medicine. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Lunesta during pregnancy. IT IS UNKNOWN IF Lunesta IS EXCRETED in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using Lunesta, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
Possible Side Effects:
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking Lunesta include drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, dry mouth, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, or an unpleasant taste. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience nervousness or anxiety, confusion, memory problems (amnesia), or problems with coordination (such as trouble walking or keeping your balance), decreased sexual desire, swelling of your hands or feet, or signs of an infection (such as fever, chills, or sore throat). CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience chest pain, depression, mental or mood changes (such as strange or aggressive behavior or agitation), thoughts of hurting yourself, hallucinations, or seizures. An allergic reaction to Lunesta is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
Overdose:
IF OVERDOSE IS SUSPECTED, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include severe drowsiness or coma.
Additional Information:
If your symptoms do not improve within 7 to 10 days or if they become worse, check with your doctor. DO NOT SHARE Lunesta with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE Lunesta for other health conditions. KEEP Lunesta out of the reach of children. IF YOU WILL BE USING Lunesta FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, be sure to obtain necessary refills before your supply runs out.
