Product Description

Lunesta induces sleep and causes relaxation. It is used to treat insomnia.

Do NOT use Lunesta if you are allergic to any ingredient in Lunesta.

Before using Lunesta, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you: if you have or have a history of depression or other mental or mood disorders, or if you have a history of suicidal thoughts or behavior; if you have a history of abuse or dependency on alcohol, a prescription medicine, or other substances; if you have a history of breathing problems or liver problems.

Lunesta may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Lunesta with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it. Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Lunesta; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness. Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or take for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor. When you first start taking Lunesta, it may have a "carryover" effect on you the next day. Use extreme care while doing anything that requires complete alertness (eg, driving a car). Lunesta works very quickly. Only take it immediately before or just after going to bed to decrease the risk of falling and other side effects. This medication may cause a special type of memory loss or "amnesia." To avoid memory problems, be sure to use Lunesta only when you are able to get a full night's sleep (7 to 8 hours) before you need to be active again. Be sure to talk to your health care provider if you think you are having memory problems. If your symptoms do not get better within 7 days or if they get worse, check with your doctor.

When you stop taking Lunesta, you may notice some trouble sleeping the first few nights after the medicine is stopped. This usually goes away after 1 or 2 nights. If you or your family notice any changes in your behavior (eg, more outgoing or aggressive behavior than normal, confusion, strange behavior, agitation), or if you have any unusual or disturbing thoughts, contact your doctor immediately.

Use Lunesta with caution in the elderly; they may be more sensitive to its effects. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. Lunesta may cause harm to the fetus. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Lunesta while you are pregnant. It is not known if Lunesta is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Lunesta, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

When used for longer than a few weeks or at high doses, some people develop a need to continue taking Lunesta.

If you stop taking Lunesta suddenly, you may have withdrawal symptoms. This may include unpleasant feelings. In more severe cases, you may have stomach and muscle cramps, vomiting, sweating, and shakiness. Seizures may rarely occur. If you take Lunesta for more than 1 to 2 weeks, do not stop taking it without talking to your doctor.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome: Anxiety, decrease in sexual desire; difficulty with coordination; dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, indigestion, lightheadedness, nausea, nervousness, unpleasant taste, vomiting. Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur: Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); aggressive behavior, breast growth, chest pain, confusion, depression, hallucinations, memory problems (such as amnesia); painful menstrual periods; seizures, severe mood swings; suicidal thoughts, swelling of hands or feet; symptoms of infection (eg, fever, sore throat, and sinus or chest congestion); unusual or disturbing thoughts.

Based on how Lunesta works, symptoms of a Lunesta overdose might include:

Drowsiness

Passing out

Trouble breathing

Loss of life.

A Lunesta overdose is more dangerous when Lunesta is taken with alcohol or other medications that affect the brain. It is important that you seek medical attention immediately if you believe that you may have overdosed on Lunesta.