Lunesta

Written by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Scheffel, PharmD
Updated on June 20, 2023

This article describes eszopiclone’s uses, side effects, and more. You’ll also find some coupon options to help save on the cost of eszopiclone.

Boxed warning: Risk of unusual sleep behaviors

Eszopiclone has a boxed warning about a risk of unusual behaviors while you’re sleeping. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for eszopiclone” section.

Eszopiclone may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of eszopiclone and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about eszopiclone’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information for eszopiclone.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with eszopiclone are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about eszopiclone’s side effects, see the prescribing information for eszopiclone.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Eszopiclone’s mild side effects include:

• an unpleasant taste in your mouth
• headache
• sleepiness
• dry mouth
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for eszopiclone” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of eszopiclone are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about eszopiclone’s side effects, see the prescribing information for eszopiclone.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, eszopiclone’s serious side effects include:

• depression (slowed activity) of the central nervous system, which can cause slowed reflexes, next-day drowsiness, and other symptoms that affect your ability to carry out tasks such as driving
• hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there)
• memory loss
• new or worsened mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts
• boxed warning: risk of unusual sleep behaviors, such as sleepwalking or sleep driving*
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for eszopiclone” section.

Suicide prevention

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

• Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
• Text HOME to the Crisis Textline at 741741.
• Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
• Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about eszopiclone.

What brand names are available for eszopiclone?

Eszopiclone is available as the brand-name drug Lunesta.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’d like to learn more about Lunesta or are interested in taking it instead of generic eszopiclone.

How does eszopiclone work? And how long does it take to start working?

How eszopiclone works to treat insomnia (trouble sleeping) isn’t fully understood. It’s thought that the drug may work by affecting certain chemicals to help slow down activity in your brain. This may help you fall asleep.

Eszopiclone begins working shortly after you take a dose. It’s important to only take a dose right before bedtime. Taking the drug and staying awake can lead to serious side effects, including reduced coordination, which can lead to falling.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Are misuse, withdrawal, and dependence possible with eszopiclone?

Yes, misuse, withdrawal, and dependence are possible with eszopiclone.

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. And withdrawal symptoms can occur when you stop taking a drug your body is dependent on.

You’re more likely to develop dependence on eszopiclone if you take it for a long time or if you take a high dose. Your doctor will explain how much to take, including the maximum dosage or dose you should take.

Because of these risks, eszopiclone is a controlled substance in the United States. A controlled substance is a drug the government regulates due to the risk of dependence or misuse.

To help avoid withdrawal symptoms, you should not suddenly stop taking eszopiclone. Instead, talk with your doctor if you’d like to end treatment with the drug. Your doctor can make a plan to taper (gradually lower) your dosage over time until it’s safe for you to completely stop taking eszopiclone. 

If you have more questions about misuse, withdrawal, or dependence, talk with your doctor.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as eszopiclone for certain conditions. Eszopiclone’s approved use is described below.

Use for insomnia

Doctors may prescribe eszopiclone oral tablet for treating insomnia. It’s prescribed for this purpose in adults, usually as a long-term treatment.

With insomnia, you aren’t able to get enough sleep to feel refreshed the next day. This fatigue (lack of energy) can affect your ability to function and carry out everyday activities. Symptoms include trouble falling asleep, waking up often during the night, and an inability to fall back asleep.

Below, you’ll find information about eszopiclone’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of eszopiclone

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take eszopiclone, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for eszopiclone” section just below.

Warnings for eszopiclone

Some people should not take eszopiclone, and others should take it cautiously.

Boxed warning: Risk of unusual sleep behaviors

Eszopiclone has a boxed warning about the risk of unusual sleep behaviors. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Behaviors reported with eszopiclone and similar drugs include the following activities done while you’re asleep or not fully awake:

• walking
• driving
• having sex
• preparing and eating food
• making phone calls

These side effects were rarely reported in studies of eszopiclone.

If you experience unusual sleep behaviors while taking eszopiclone, tell your doctor right away. They’ll likely recommend stopping treatment with eszopiclone. They can review other treatments for insomnia (trouble sleeping) with you.

To learn more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other warnings

Eszopiclone could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether eszopiclone is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for eszopiclone, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Eszopiclone can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to eszopiclone or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe eszopiclone. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to eszopiclone, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of eszopiclone

If you take eszopiclone, you should not take more than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much eszopiclone, 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 concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and eszopiclone

Information about eszopiclone and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Eszopiclone and pregnancy

It’s not known whether eszopiclone should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before starting this medication.

Eszopiclone and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether eszopiclone should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before starting this medication.

This article describes eszopiclone’s uses, side effects, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions or want more details about eszopiclone or insomnia (trouble sleeping).

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

• How does eszopiclone compare with other treatments for insomnia?
• Does eszopiclone interact with other medications I take?
• If I want to start taking a new supplement while taking eszopiclone, can you check whether there’s an interaction between the two?
• Will I have trouble traveling with eszopiclone, since it’s a controlled substance?
• What are my options if I can’t afford my prescription?

• Eszopiclone – eszopiclone tablet, film coated. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/7068c455-691e-4c56-9857-b7b4e13f4784/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

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.