Lunesta is a sleeping aid product developed by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals. The company has over 20 years’ experience in pharmaceuticals and chose to specialize in mental and respiratory health products, believing that this way they can provide optimal medical solutions to their customers.
Many people experience difficulty in finding or maintaining good sleep habits. Stress, illness or lack of free time can lead to insomnia or other sleep-related disorders. It is common for people that find themselves in this situation to seek sleeping aid, but most don’t want to be faced with the drawbacks of taking sleeping pills.
The product is only available if prescribed by your doctor. It is advertised as a very potent sleeping aid, with the benefit that it does not create any form of dependency and doesn’t leave the consumers lightheaded or dizzy the next day. This is why many people specifically request Lunesta when consulting their doctors about their sleeping disorders.
1) Quick Overview
The ingredient that makes Lunesta work is Eszopiclone, an isomer of Zopiclone which is a popular nonbenzodiazepine substance prescribed in light cases of insomnia.
Eszopiclone has a mechanism of action similar to benzodiazepines, binding to GABA receptors and slowing down brain activity. An advantage that this substance presents is its fast action, with the effects starting very rapidly after ingestion, peaking after about an hour and wearing off after 7-8 hours.
Another advantage that Eszopiclone presents is the reduced amount of side effects compared to other benzodiazepine and benzodiazepine-like products. This is not to say that there are no side effects, with headaches, dry mouth, metallic taste and chest pains being just a few of the commonly experienced ones. Rarely experienced side effects include rashes, itching, irritability and even amnesia; if you should experience any of these effects, you should consult your doctor immediately.
There is some concern of abuse occurring with this substance, as with most compounds that can induce sleep. The recommended dosage is 2-3mg for adults, with variations based on age, weight and experience with other sleeping products. It is very important not to go above the dose that your doctor prescribes, as the effects of overdose are very strong and can even lead to coma.
2) Ingredients of Lunesta
Lunesta contains: eszopiclone, calcium phosphate, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, hypromellose, lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide, and triacetin.
3) Does Lunesta Work?
The most potent ingredient found in Lunesta is a type of chemical known as Eszopiclone. It falls under the same category as other chemicals, like opiate drugs and sedatives. Some factors should be taken into consideration before taking this medicine. For example, you may take more depending on your weight, age, or experience with other competing products. You may go for a low dose and gradually increase it.
Since Lunesta is claimed to be rather powerful, it is recommended to be taken exactly before a person goes to bed. Unlike most products that will only start being active after 1 hour, Lunesta’s ingredients work very fast. Also, it is designed to make you sleep a full 8 hours, so users should take note of any activities they might have planned beforehand. Few users see no effects after ten days of taking this sleep aid, but those few people should talk to their doctor about it.
There have been some documented cases of individuals sleepwalking. They were reported to walk, eat and even drive during their sleep after taking Lunesta. Other reported side effects include agitation, irritability, aggressive behaviors, confused state of mind, and hallucinations. These side-effects are more common in user that have been taking more than the recommended dose. Always take the amount your doctor prescribes to you.
4) Lunesta: Pros and Cons
- the product is clinically tested and has been thoroughly reviewed before being put in circulation
- Lunesta has less side effects than most sleeping aids commonly prescribed
- the likelihood of extended drowsiness after consumption is reduced
- possibility of some of the purchase costs to be covered by health insurance
5) What You Need to Know Before Taking Lunesta
- product only available if prescribed by your doctor
- instructions of use must be strictly followed, as the consequences of overdosing can be dire
- product is not intended for use on children, pregnant women or people suffering from some mental conditions
6) Lunesta Cost
While the exact pricing of this sleep aid isn’t given, it is said to be one that is very expensive compared to others out there. There could be co-pays and deductibles that apply. For those without insurance, the cost of Lunesta is their responsibility.
Lunesta has been rumored to cost as much as $300 per 50 tablets. It is apparently, the final solution in case of insomnia when all else fails.
7) How to Take Lunesta
When taking Eszopiclone for more than 2-3 weeks, suddenly stopping the treatment is not recommended; instead, you should slowly reduce the amount you take, because Eszopiclone withdrawal can lead to a sudden increase in brain activity that can cause aggression, irritability and even seizures in some individuals.
8) Bottom Line – Does It Really Work?
While the effects of Lunesta are confirmed and agreed upon by the medical community, the side effects of the product are not entirely clear. The manufacturer claims that this product will not cause drowsiness or confusion after waking up, but some clinical trials reveal that some individuals experienced these symptoms consistently.
Whether Lunesta is the right form of sleeping aid for you is up to your doctor to decide. If you are only experiencing minor difficulties sleeping or falling asleep, you might want to consider herbal supplements that have the same effects, as this product is considered potent enough to help in cases of severe recurrent insomnia.
