Description
Do you frequently toss and turn in bed while trying to fall asleep? This constant battle to get a full night’s sleep can affect your daily life, leaving you drowsy and exhausted. Sometimes, improved sleep hygiene and other lifestyle changes may help, but they may not always be enough. In this case, a healthcare provider may recommend a medication like Lunesta, also known by its generic name of eszopiclone.
This article covers the options for receiving a Lunesta online prescription after consulting a medical professional.
What Is Lunesta?
Eszopiclone[1*]
(Lunesta) is frequently used to treat insomnia. It belongs to the class of drugs called sedative-hypnotics that promote relaxation and help those with sleep issues to fall asleep. Lunesta functions[2*]
by binding to GABA receptors in the brain, which results in a calming effect.
This medicine is often used for brief treatment durations (1–2 weeks). Consult your doctor if your insomnia persists for a long time to determine if you require additional therapy.
What Is Lunesta Used for?
While Lunesta is primarily prescribed for the treatment of insomnia, healthcare providers may consider off-label use for certain conditions. Some off-label uses of Lunesta may include:
Anxiety disorders: Lunesta’s sedative effects might be beneficial for managing anxiety, but this is generally not the first-line treatment.
Sleep disorders other than insomnia: In some cases, Lunesta may be effective for sleep-related disorders, such as restless legs syndrome or sleepwalking.
Chronic pain: Lunesta’s sedating properties could potentially help with sleep disturbance associated with chronic pain conditions.
Jet lag or shift work sleep disorder: Lunesta might be used off-label for individuals dealing with irregular sleep schedules.
Do You Need a Prescription for Lunesta?
Lunesta (eszopiclone) is a prescription medication. So, to purchase it, you need a prescription from a qualified healthcare professional, such as a doctor or nurse practitioner. The treatment course should also be supervised to ensure safety. If you experience severe side effects, or the medication is not helping as intended, consult with your clinician to adjust your treatment.
Side Effects
When using Lunesta (eszopiclone), it’s essential to be aware of any potential side effects. Common ones include:
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Headache
An unpleasant taste in the mouth
Dry mouth
Difficulty with coordination
Unusual dreams
Nausea
Upset stomach
Some patients may experience serious yet less common side effects, such as:
Allergic reactions (rash, itching, swelling, extremely lightheadedness, or breathing difficulties).
Amnesia or memory issues.
Mood or mental changes, such as anxiety, hostility, or hallucinations.
An increase in sleep issues.
Behavioral alterations, such as sleepwalking or other peculiar sleeping habits.
Withdrawal symptoms, such as rebound sleeplessness, if the medicine is abruptly stopped.
It’s crucial to take Lunesta precisely as your clinician directs and talk to them about any concerns or adverse effects. Seek quick medical assistance if any negative side effects are extreme or out of the ordinary.
Warnings
Lunesta (eszopiclone) comes with several essential warnings and precautions:
Habit-forming nature: Lunesta can become addictive if a patient exceeds the recommended dosage or has a history of substance use disorder. It may also cause withdrawal if stopped abruptly. The use of this medicine is often restricted to short treatment periods of 1 to 2 weeks or less due to the danger of dependence.
Effects on daily activities: Lunesta may affect alertness[3*]
needed in activities like driving, which might be hazardous. Given this, the recommended starting dose is often 1 milligram at bedtime or as instructed. With that amount, there is less chance that you won’t be able to safely perform tasks that call for alertness the next day.
Memory issues: If you don’t get 7-8 hours of sleep after taking Lunesta, you may experience memory problems or amnesia.
Allergic reactions: Although uncommon, allergic reactions to Lunesta can be severe. Seek medical attention if you have severe dizziness, edema, rash, itching, or difficulty breathing.
Mental/mood changes: Lunesta may cause agitation, aggression, hallucinations, or worsening of depression. It may also induce changes in mood, behavior, or thinking. If you see these changes, let your healthcare practitioner know.
Use with other substances: Refrain from consuming alcohol and other substances that make you drowsy while taking Lunesta since this increases the possibility of adverse effects.
Special populations: If you are breastfeeding, planning a pregnancy, or are already pregnant, let your doctor know. Lunesta may not be safe in these situations. If you have liver issues, you may need to alter your dosage.
Drug interactions: Lunesta may interact with other medications you’re taking, so check with your doctor. These include prescription medications, over-the-counter, and herbal remedies.
Eszopiclone comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day at bedtime or after unsuccessfully trying to fall asleep. Do not take eszopiclone with or shortly after a heavy, high-fat meal. Eszopiclone may not work well if it is taken with high fat foods. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take eszopiclone exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
You will probably become very sleepy soon after you take eszopiclone and will remain sleepy for some time after you take the medication. You should only take eszopiclone immediately before you go to bed or after you have gone to bed and have been unable to fall asleep. Only take eszopiclone if you will be able to stay in bed for at least 7 to 8 hours after taking the medication. If you do not go to bed right after you take eszopiclone or if you get up too soon after taking eszopiclone, you may experience dizziness, lightheadedness, hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist), and problems with coordination and memory.
Your doctor may change your dose of eszopiclone during your treatment. Your doctor may increase your dose to help you sleep better or decrease your dose if you are too drowsy during the daytime.
You should be sleeping well within 7 to 10 days after you start taking eszopiclone. Call your doctor if your sleep problems do not improve during this time, if they get worse at any time during your treatment, or if you notice any changes in your thoughts or behavior.
Do not stop taking eszopiclone without talking to your doctor. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually. If you suddenly stop taking eszopiclone you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, unusual dreams, stomach and muscle cramps,nausea, vomiting, sweating, shakiness, and rarely, seizures.
After you stop taking eszopiclone, you may have more difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep than you did before you took the medication. These sleep problems are normal and usually get better without treatment after one or two nights.
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Source: https://www.drugs.com/
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