|
Usage: Lunesta is in a class of drugs called sedative/hypnotics or sleep medications. Lunesta affects chemicals in your brain that may affect sleep. Lunesta induces sleep and causes relaxation. It is used to treat insomnia.
Directions: Take Lunesta exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Take Lunesta just before you go to bed. It will make you drowsy, and you could fall and hurt yourself if you take your dose before you are ready for sleep. You can take Lunesta with or without food but for Lunesta to work best, do not take it with or immediately after a high-fat, heavy meal. Do not crush or chew the tablets. Take each tablet whole. Take Lunesta only if you are able to get a full night's sleep (8 or more hours) before you must be active again. Do not take more of this medication than is prescribed for you. Do not stop taking Lunesta suddenly if you have been taking it for more than 1 or 2 weeks. This may cause withdrawal symptoms and make you uncomfortable. Talk to your doctor if you need to stop treatment with Lunesta.
Side Effects: If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Lunesta and seek emergency medical attention: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, face, or tongue; hives). Contact your doctor if you experience daytime drowsiness, dizziness, or clumsiness; more outgoing or aggressive behavior than normal; confusion; strange behavior; memory loss problems; agitation; worsening of depression; hallucinations; or new feelings of depression. Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as headache and unpleasant taste. If these become bothersome, contact your doctor. A problem that may occur when sleep medicines are stopped is known as "rebound insomnia." This means that a person may have more trouble sleeping the first few nights after the medicine is stopped than before starting the medicine. If you should experience rebound insomnia, do not get discouraged. This problem usually goes away on its own after 1 or 2 nights. Lunesta may be habit forming. Stopping this medication suddenly can cause withdrawal effects if you have taken it continuously for several weeks. Talk to your doctor about the safe use of this medication. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Precautions: Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Lunesta will cause drowsiness and may cause dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities. Lunesta should be taken just before bedtime. You may experience some carryover effects the next day. Do not drink alcohol while taking Lunesta. Alcohol will increase drowsiness and may increase dizziness while you are taking Lunesta, which could be dangerous. Avoid other sedatives, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers, including over-the-counter preparations. They should not be used while you are taking Lunesta unless your doctor directs otherwise.
Drug Interactions: Many drugs may affect the way that Lunesta is metabolized ("broken down") in the body, leading to higher or lower than expected levels of the medication in the blood. Talk to your doctor before taking any other medicines during treatment with Lunesta. Lunesta may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, other sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine unless your doctor approves. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Lunesta. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.
If You Take Too Much: Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of a Lunesta overdose may include sleepiness, confusion, dizziness, difficult or slow breathing, and unconsciousness.
Storage: Store Lunesta at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
|
