Lunesta is a drug of non-benzodiazepine that acts as a hypnotic agent that can be taken by patients suffering from insomnia.[1]
The pill has the active ingredient of a dextrorotary stereoisomer of zopiclone and thus belongs to the drugs category of cyclopyrrolones. And therapeutically it is used as a sedative-hypnotic and the pharmacological significance of this medication involves cyclopyrrolone.
The Lunesta is available as a coated tablet and is marketed under the strength of the 1mg, 2 mg, and 3 mg package [2]. Often it is prescribed with other drugs such as CNS depressants, potent inhibitors, severe hepatic impairment.
Legal information while making purchases
Lunesta is approved legally in several countries with strict laws. The buyers cannot get this medication from online and offline pharmacies without the legal Rx. Even if Lunesta is available online to buy without a prescription it is not safe and legal. As there is numerous online drugstore that market fake and illicit medication to their consumers. Those attempt to sell fake Lunesta pills at a cheaper cost. Hence the buyers should be very careful in buying this medication in online pharmacies without Rx. The doctor’s opinion is liable for opting to buy this medication from online pharmacies. And before getting the pills make sure that you are opting for a legitimate and licensed pharmacy.
How to take Lunesta
It should be taken as per medical guidelines. If the user tries to take more dosages than prescribed, they may suffer serious side effects as Lunesta is associated with the unpleasant action of adverse effects and dangers [3]. The legal and expert medical professional should analyze the patients considering their previous medical history and present health condition before prescribing the medicine. As this may vary for every patient.
The patient should not exceed the dosage and should maintain the time interval between every dosage. Usually, the pill is recommended to take before getting to bed. Also, it is recommended not to take this after having heavy meals [4]. Breaking or crushing of the tablet may lead to non-perception of the dosage level hence they should take Lunesta as a whole dosage. The initial dosage level begins at 1 mg [5] if the doctor has prescribed you a higher dosage then follow the guidelines as directed by him.
The patients on Lunesta should reach the doctor once the suggested medical treatment period has completed the patient should not continue without the knowledge of the adviser. Hence periodic medical check-up is needed.
It should be kept in a cool and dry place as it is a controlled medication and also it should not be kept in reach of children [6]. Sharing the medication with them will result in dangerous effects. Hence the insomnia patients should not opt to share this medication with others. As this is prescribed under several categories. The pediatric, elderly, and patients with the liver disorder should not use this medication without the doctor’s approval.
Lunesta adverse effects
Infection may persist in patients. Drowsiness and unpleasant taste are the most common side effects that persist in the patients. The other common side effects involve xerostomia, nausea, and dizziness [7].
Lunesta is a medication with an active ingredient of eszopiclone which may cause several unwanted side effects to the patients. If any of the following side effects exist in the patient reach the Doctor immediately and seek his medical advice.
- A cough
- Fever
- Chills
- Lower and side back pain
- Painful and difficulty in urination
- Drowsiness and sleepiness
- Irritability
- Nervousness and phobia
- Confusion
- Tiredness
- Trouble in concentrating
- Trouble to sleep
- Impairment of vision and hearing
- Loss of interest
- Symptoms of cold and flu
- Painful bladder
- Always in the urge of urinating
- Cloudy and bloody urinating
- Fell of discouragement
If any of the above symptoms persist in the patient they should rush to the doctor immediately and seek recovery treatment.
Before taking Lunesta
Before purchasing Lunesta the patient should be pretty sure about the contraindications of this medication. Also one should know that this medication has serious interaction effects when coming in contact with other medications. Such interacting medicines involve CNS depressants, Cymbalta (duloxetine), ritonavir, itraconazole, clarithromycin, ketoconazole, lisinopril, nelfinavir, metformin, and other such enzyme inhibiting medications [8].
Patients with abuse of Lunesta and having the habit of alcoholism should avoid taking Lunesta. The patients with liver damage or other related disorder should report to the doctor prior. Any advanced degree of anxiety is detected then the patients should seek medical advice as it may interact efficiently with this medicine. Also, patients with a history of the cardiac disorder or other hepatic dysfunction should report the problem to the doctor. The heart problem such as hypertension, panic attacks, glaucoma, and anxiety are other such disorders. Addiction to any drugs or alcoholic patient should report the habit of abuse to the doctor prior.[9]
Before the doctor suggesting Lunesta to the patients they should know the complete medical history of the patient. And it is the patient’s intent to report all the past and present medical history to the doctor. The allergic reaction if any and any ADHD or other depressive disorder should be reported. The CNS troubles should be taken much care of as the medication will interact sufficiently with the Lunesta pills. Any bipolar disorders and mental health issues and the related treatment history should be submitted to them.
The effects of Lunesta in the fetus and in the womb are not proven completely but the medication is classified under the Category C risk factors [10]. Hence the pregnant women opting for this medicine is the risk as it is not approved to be safe to take during pregnancy. A mixed result of the clinical report was submitted that it has both. Hence the women should not take this medication unless it is legally prescribed by the doctor. The medication may penetrate the breast milk and can harm the fetus and can bring withdrawal effects to the fetus. Concerning all these effects it is governed by the usage of pregnant and lactating mothers.
Lunesta overdose
Lunesta overdose can cause several dangerous side effects. Such reported health issues include the side effects mentioned in the adverse effects section [11]. People suffering from the effect of overdose should seek the doctor’s help immediately and reach nearby medical assistance.
Missed Dose
Insomnia patients should take the missed dose as fast as they remember or else can skip the dosage [12]. However, if the time interval between the doses was exceeded the patient should involve in doubling the dosage. Also, don’t take Lunesta in the morning or daytime as it will make you feel sleepy all over the day.
Lunesta FAQ
1. Do the prolonged use of Lunesta cause dangerous effects?
Lunesta is classified as a controlled medicine and it should be taken under medical advice. The prolonged use of this will cause an unpleasant condition such as dizziness and drowsiness and develops an increased dependency on this mediation which will lead to mental sickness and depression.[13]
Also, this medication is not administered for the use of children. The overdose or prolonged symptoms in them was too dangerous and it will lead to serious health hazards, hence medical consultancy is mandatory under such situation. Emergency help should be sought.
2. How does Lunesta works?
Lunesta acts as a benzodiazepine binding agent on the GABA receptor-like agonist. This induces the mechanism of sleep in the patient. This acts effectively on the receptors and hence the people taking Lunesta will fall asleep for a while. This induces undistracted night sleep in them.[14]
3. What Precautions should be opted for while taking Lunesta?
The patient’s ion Lunesta should not take this medication during the daytime as they feel sleepy during the daytime. take this medication before sleep and have a limited meal. The overfull stomach may not have that effect. Also, the patient should not involve in high concentration needed works stuff such as in the morning. This will get them sleepy and drowsy feeling. Intake of alcohol while on this Lunesta will increase the sedation effect and result in serious health hazards.
4. What drugs interact with Lunesta?
The CNS depressant medication interacts heavily with Lunesta hence immense care must be taken while taking Lunesta. Also, the patient should report to the doctor about the stimulants and hepatic medications they are currently taking. The complete list of the medication, treatments, and disorders must be reported to the doctor. As the interaction of cardiac and psychiatric drugs can significantly affect the effectiveness of the pill and will bring serious disorders.
5. Is it safe to use Lunesta?
People can use this pill as directed by the physician, and people taking it for recreational use are at their own risk. This controlled drug is associated with numerous side effects. This drug is not recommended for children and if prescribed by a legal professional then should follow the dosage and guidelines properly.
References:
1.Lunesta medication. Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-92350/lunesta-oral/details
2.Lunesta dosage strength. Retrieved Mar 21, 2018
3.Avoid intake of higher doses than prescribed. Retrieved Mar 21, 2018
4.Taking Lunesta before bedtime. Retrieved from https://reference.medscape.com/drug/lunesta-eszopiclone-342927
5.Initial dosage of Lunesta. Retrieved Mar 21, 2018
6.Lunesta drug storage instruction.Retrieved Mar 21, 2018
7.Side effects of Lunesta medication. Rxlist.com.Retrieved Mar 21, 2018
8.Lunesta drug interaction. Drugs.com. Retrieved Mar 21, 2018
9.” Who should not take Lunesta?”.Retrieved from https://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/lunesta#drug-warnings
10.Lunest and pregnancy.Retrieved from https://www.rxwiki.com/lunesta#pregnancy
11.Lunest overdose information.Retrieved Mar 21, 2018
12.Missed dosage of Lunesta. Retrieved Mar 21, 2018
13.Adverse reactions due to long-term use of Lunesta drug. Retrieved Mar 21, 2018
14.How do Lunesta works? Retrieved from https://www.lunesta.com/PostedApprovedLabelingText.pdf