Lunesta dosage: A detailed guide

This article describes Lunesta’s dosages and strengths and details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for Lunesta. If you want to know more about Lunesta, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Lunesta is a brand-name medication that comes as an oral tablet. It’s available in a generic version called eszopiclone. This article describes the dosages of Lunesta.

Lunesta is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance in the United States. A controlled substance is a drug the government regulates due to the risk of dependence or misuse. This means doctors and pharmacists must follow strict rules when prescribing and dispensing Lunesta. These rules are in place to help reduce the risk of misuse and dependence.

Boxed warning: Risk of unusual sleep behaviors

Lunesta has a boxed warning for the risk of unusual sleep behaviors. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

See the end of this article for more information about this warning.

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Form and strengths of Lunesta

Lunesta comes as follows:

• Form: oral tablet, which you’ll take by swallowing
• Strengths: 1 milligram (mg), 2 mg, and 3 mg

Dosage of Lunesta

This article describes the recommended dosages for Lunesta. The drugmaker provides these dosages.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of Lunesta without your doctor’s recommendation.

Usual recommended dosages of Lunesta in adults

Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of Lunesta. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of Lunesta that gives the desired outcome.

• Starting dosage: 1 mg once per day, taken right before bedtime
• Maximum dosage: 3 mg once per day, taken right before bedtime

Dosage adjustments for Lunesta

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of Lunesta based on several factors. These include:

• your age
• how well your liver works
• other medications you’re taking
• how your body responds to the medication

Missed dose of Lunesta

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what to do if you forget to take a dose of Lunesta.

You’ll take Lunesta right before bedtime. Take your dose of Lunesta when you can sleep for at least 7 to 8 hours. If you forget to take Lunesta and then remember when you have less than 7 to 8 hours left to sleep, do not take it. If you take Lunesta with less than 7 to 8 hours left to sleep, you could be very drowsy and less alert the next day.

For tips on how to plan your doses of Lunesta and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Lunesta and its dosage.

Is there a 6-mg or 4-mg daily recommended dosage of Lunesta?

No, the maximum recommended daily dosage of Lunesta is 3 mg. Do not take more Lunesta than your doctor prescribes. Taking higher than recommended doses increases your risk of extreme drowsiness. It can also cause problems with alertness and impaired abilities the next day.

Tell your doctor if Lunesta isn’t working well for you. They may be able to suggest other treatments. If you have questions or concerns about the dosage of Lunesta, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Will my dose of Lunesta be calculated based on my weight?

No, Lunesta’s dosage isn’t based on body weight. But doctors may adjust the dosage using other factors. You can read more about this in the “Dosage of Lunesta” section above.

If you have concerns about the dosage of Lunesta, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Do older adults need to take a lower dose of Lunesta?

Possibly. The recommended starting dosage of Lunesta is 1 mg once per day right before bedtime, regardless of age.

But the recommendations for the maximum dosage of Lunesta differ according to age. For adults ages 65 years and older, the maximum dosage of Lunesta is 2 mg once per day. This is lower than the maximum dosage of 3 mg per day for younger adults. The reason for this difference is that Lunesta tends to clear from the body more slowly in older adults.

If you have concerns about taking Lunesta given your age, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is Lunesta taken long term?

No, doctors don’t typically prescribe Lunesta as a long-term treatment. Instead, it’s usually recommended for short-term use.

If you have questions about how long you should take Lunesta, talk with your doctor.

Is there a risk of misuse or dependence with Lunesta?

Yes, Lunesta is a controlled substance. This means that taking it carries a risk of misuse and dependence.

Misuse means a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed. Dependence means the body needs the drug in order to function like usual.

The risk of misuse and dependence increases with higher doses of Lunesta and with long-term use. People with past mental health problems or problems misusing alcohol or other drugs have a higher risk as well.

If you’re concerned about the risk of misuse or dependence, talk with your doctor. They may be able to recommend other treatments.

How Lunesta is taken

You’ll swallow Lunesta once per day, right before bedtime. If you don’t go to bed right after taking Lunesta, you may have side effects, such as dizziness, falls, or hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t real).

You should not take Lunesta with food or right after eating. Taking Lunesta with food can make it less effective.

Do not take Lunesta if you have consumed alcohol that evening.

You should take Lunesta when you can sleep for 7 to 8 hours. You should not take it if you can’t get 7 to 8 hours of sleep before being active again. Doing so could cause drowsiness, reduced alertness, or impairments the next day.

If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Lunesta coupon

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Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

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Overdose of Lunesta

It’s important that you do not take more Lunesta than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of Lunesta overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include changes in consciousness. This can range from extreme sleepiness to coma.

What to do if you take too much Lunesta

If you think you’ve taken too much Lunesta, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for Lunesta. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of Lunesta without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take Lunesta exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Would a different dosage of Lunesta raise or lower my risk of side effects from the drug?
• How long is it safe to take Lunesta?
• How many days do I need to take Lunesta before I see its effects?

Boxed warning for Lunesta

Lunesta has a boxed warning for the risk of unusual sleep behaviors. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

Unusual sleep behaviors can happen while taking Lunesta. This involves doing things while you’re still asleep and not remembering them the next day. Some of these behaviors can lead to injuries or even death.

These behaviors may include:

• having sex
• making and eating food
• making phone calls
• sleep driving
• sleepwalking

Talk with your doctor to learn more.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.