Lunesta is prescribed to patients who have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep through the night. Lunesta is called a sedative or a hypnotic. It helps control the chemicals in people’s brains that cause insomnia, or inability to sleep or stay asleep.
What are some important things I should know about Lunesta?
Lunesta can cause severe allergic reaction in some patients. Also, people who take Lunesta during hours when they are performing daytime activities often have no memory of completing the tasks. Some people have injured themselves or others while taking Lunesta. Lunesta should only be taken right before going to sleep, and then only if you have at least 8 hours to dedicate to sleep. Activities like driving, operating machinery, and even eating should be absolutely avoided while taking Lunesta.
Lunesta is for people who suffer from insomnia. Insomnia is characterized by an inability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Many people who suffer from insomnia are only able to get a couple hours of sleep at night, if any at all, without the help of medication or other insomnia remedies.
Lunesta should only be used by people who have at least 8 hours to dedicate to sleeping, and should only be taken right before going to bed.
What side effects can Lunesta cause?
Lunesta can cause serious allergic reactions. Allergic reactions are characterized by swelling in the face, mouth and throat; hives; and difficulty breathing. Lunesta can also cause other injuries, such as violent mood swings, aggressive behavior and hallucinations. These may be indicators of underlying psychiatric or physical disorders.
Lunesta may also react with other drugs, so make sure to tell your doctor about any other medication you are taking.
Also, to avoid further injury, people who are pregnant, have liver disease, sleep apnea, lung disease, drug or alcohol addiction or a history of depression should not use Lunesta. Lunesta can cause harm to unborn and nursing babies.
When should I contact my doctor?
You should contact your doctor immediately if you notice changes in your waking behavior, such as mood swings, increased anxiety or hallucinations. You should also contact your doctor if you experience any symptoms that might indicate an injury from taking Lunesta, including:
- allergic reaction
- problems concentrating
- headache
- skin rash
- nausea, vomiting, upset stomach
- dry mouth