Lunesta

Lunesta is an oral sedative drug for the treatment of insomnia. This drug helps you get to sleep faster and sleep through the night by slowing down your central nervous system. This drug requires a prescription.

Your doctor will inform you of what you need to know before using Lunesta.

Before taking this drug, the risks and benefits for your body should be discussed with your healthcare provider. Inform your healthcare provider for any allergic reactions to these drugs or any other drugs, foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals.

Carefully read the label of non-prescription drugs for any possible allergic reaction or contraindications. Studies in children regarding the correlation of age to the effects of eszopiclone have not been reported while safety and efficacy have not been established. Studies in the elderly have not reported any geriatric-specific problems that would limit the utility of eszopiclone.

Adjustments in the dose of the elderly may be required since dizziness, confusion, clumsiness, or unsteadiness is more likely to occur in their age group. Adverse effects have been reported in animal studies but studies in pregnant women or animals are still inadequate.

Infant risk is still undetermined when using this medication during breastfeeding. Discuss with your healthcare professional about potential risks and benefits before taking this drug while breastfeeding.

Discuss with your healthcare professional about the potential risks and benefits before taking this drug while breastfeeding. Drugs should not be taken together to prevent any interactions but in necessary cases inquire your healthcare provider regarding the adjustments in dosage or any other necessary precautions to prevent any unwanted side effects.

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other drugs such as:

• Atazanavir
• Boceprevir
• Cobicistat
• Delavirdine
• Ketoconazole
• Lopinavir
• Nelfinavir
• Posaconazole
• Ritonavir
• Saquinavir
• Sodium Oxybate
• Telaprevir
• Tipranavir
• Bromazepam
• Buprenorphine
• Carbinoxamine
• Clarithromycin
• Conivaptan
• Fentanyl
• Flibanserin
• Flumazenil
• Fospropofol
• Hydrocodone
• Hydromorphone
• Idelalisib
• Imatinib
• Indinavir
• Itraconazole
• Meclizine
• Methadone
• Morphine
• Morphine Sulfate Liposome
• Nefazodone
• Nilotinib
• Oxycodone
• Oxymorphone
• Propofol
• Suvorexant
• Tapentadol
• Telithromycin
• Voriconazole
• or Zolpidem

Intake of specific food or using alcohol or tobacco with this drug is associated with an increased risk of certain side effects. Your healthcare professional can give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco. Inform your healthcare provider for any other medical problems such as alcohol abuse, drug abuse or addiction, breathing problems, lung disease, depression, mood or behavior changes, or liver diseases.

To use Lunesta properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor.

This drug must be taken exactly as directed by your healthcare professional. To prevent any side effects, take this drug exactly as directed in the label or as prescribed by your healthcare professional. Increased or prolonged uses can cause mental or physical dependence. Take this drug before going to sleep.

Taking this drug is not recommended when your schedule does not permit you to get a full night's sleep of 8 hours. Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it. Taking this drug with or immediately after a heavy, high-fat meal is not recommended.

The dose of this drug will be variable for different patients. The directions on the label or the prescription by your healthcare professional should be followed.

The dosage of this drug you take depends on the medical problem for which you are using this drug. Adults with insomnia are initially given 1 milligram at bedtime.

The dose must not exceed 3 mg per day. Older adults are initially given 1 mg at bedtime. The dose must not exceed 2 mg per day.

Use and dose in children must be determined by your healthcare professional. A missed dose should be taken as soon as possible. However, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule if it is almost time for your next dose.

Store the drug in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. Keep out of the reach of children. Dispose any outdated or expired drugs and ask your healthcare professional for the proper disposal of the drugs.

Before using Lunesta, there are some precautions you must take.

Regular visits should be made to your healthcare provider to track your progress and to monitor the effectiveness of the drug. Unwanted effects can be screened by blood tests.

This drug may cause sleep-related behaviors such as driving a car, walking, having sex, making phone calls, or preparing and eating food while asleep or not fully awake.

Inform your healthcare professional immediately If these reactions happen. Discuss with your healthcare professional before you use this drug for a prolonged time.

This drug potentiates the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants such as antihistamines or drug for hay fever, allergies, or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping drug, prescription pain drug or narcotics, drug for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your healthcare professional before taking any of the above while you are using this drug.

This drug may cause some people, especially older persons, to become drowsy, dizzy, lightheaded, clumsy or unsteady, or less alert than they are normally. Be careful in taking this drug before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous. Alcohol intake has been associated to symptoms of unusual and strange thoughts or behavior, unusual and extreme, such as confusion, worsening of depression, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, and unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability while taking this drug.

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience symptoms of anaphylaxis such as itching, hives, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while taking this drug. Check with your healthcare professional before you stop taking this drug.

Your healthcare professional may slowly taper the amount you are taking before stopping completely to prevent any withdrawal side effects. You may experience difficulty sleeping for the first few nights after you stop taking this drug. Consult with your healthcare professional before you take any other prescription or non-prescription drugs and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Make sure you meet with your doctor in using Lunesta to avoid unwanted potential side effects.

Side effects may vary for each individual and prompt medical attention should be given if they occur. Seek advice from your healthcare professional immediately if you experience any unusual symptoms such as:

• cough or hoarseness
• fever or chills
• lower back or side pain
• painful or difficult urination
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• bladder pain
• bloody or cloudy urine
• cold flu-like symptoms
• confusion
• difficult
• burning
• or painful urination
• discouragement
• fear or nervousness
• feeling sad or empty
• frequent urge to urinate
• irritability
• lack of appetite
• loss of interest or pleasure
• nerve pain, seeing, hearing
• or feeling things that are not there
• tiredness
• trouble concentrating
• or trouble sleeping

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine, the side effects will slowly disappear. Ask your healthcare professional about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

If any of the following side effects persists, or are inconvenient, or if you notice any other effects, or if you have any questions about them, consult with your health care professional. Report any side effects to the FDA hotline at 1-800-FDA-1088.