Lunesta for Insomnia User Reviews (Page 5)

• nos...
• September 20, 2007

"While taking this medication, it increased my agitation level. It made anger creep from around the corners, and I would instantly snap at my husband. My dreams worsened and became more vivid. My doctor had to immediately take me off this medication. Scary stuff!"

• sle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2015

"Lunesta is helpful because it promotes a gentle rest state. I had changed from Ambien, which at times caused me to be cranky and jumpy. Lunesta will take some time in the evening to work, but I found some good sleep with this. Make sure you are monitored by your MD. Keep meds away from children and pets. If Lunesta is used responsibly, it can be a good med for bad insomnia."

• Sle...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 9, 2013

"I've had sleep disruption for many years. I took Ambien for years, now Lunesta. Gradually reduced from 3 mg to 0 mg, with zero problems. My mind was clearer. With new severe stress and sleep disruptions again, recently went back on Lunesta. Started with 1 mg, then 2, then 3. Trouble is, now still waking up after about 4 hours, then waking and sleeping throughout the next 4 hours. I also use Belleruth Naparstek's 'Sleep' guided imagery CD to fall asleep and her 'General Wellness' and 'Stress and Anxiety' in the early morning, or Jon Kabat-Zinn's 'Body Scan' during those 4 hours when my sleep is intermittent. I'm finding that I am sleepy and tired when I get out of bed now at 3 mg and feel overly medicated, yet it isn't working well after 4 hours."

• Viv...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2022

"Developed a tolerance for Xanax and wanted to see alternatives while tapering. On Lunesta at 2 mg gave me horrible and vivid nightmares. I didn’t like it at all. Tried it for 3 nights. And the third night I said that’s it. Also, sleep quality is not deep or refreshing like benzos. Woke up after 4 hours, had to take Xanax to go back to sleep. I did try Ambien (Zolpidem) immediately after Lunesta, oddly enough, no weird dreams or weird stuff, but not a strong sleeping pill. Woke up 3 hours later, had to take Xanax to go back to sleep. I guess Z drugs are the worst. A combo of a benzo and a tricyclic could be a good combo. I did try Benadryl before Lunesta and Ambien and found it much better, yes, you get dreams (not as scary as Lunesta) and you sleep more, but I was also taking it with Xanax. So Z drugs are useless."

• Alm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 20, 2016

"Horrible aftertaste that lasts at least 8 hours. The taste comes about 5 minutes after I take it, and that's when I know it's working. Otherwise, I can't tell like I could taking another popular sleeping medicine. It's increased my depression and anxiety. I'm getting put back on my previous medication in three days due to the horrible aftertaste. It's chemical tasting. Nasty."

• Tam...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 26, 2018

"Love Lunesta: for me there is a huge difference between Lunesta and generic eszopiclone. With Lunesta, I always went to sleep within 10 minutes, stayed asleep, and woke refreshed and clear-headed. Eszopiclone, the generic, gave me migraines 2 hours after taking it, nausea, and insomnia. Now my insurance has stopped paying for Lunesta, they will only pay for eszopiclone, and it is so horrible!! Lunesta now costs $450 out of pocket."

• Kat...
• November 28, 2015

"I originally was prescribed 2 mg, which stopped working after a few weeks. I then was upped to 3 mg, which worked like a charm, but then after a month or so, again stopped working. And if my sleep was interrupted, it caused me to feel drunk. I still take this, but I take it now at a pill and a half. It's frustrating that tolerance builds up so quickly, but otherwise it works well if you follow exactly how to take it."

• Rea...
• September 23, 2015

"Okay, the original Lunesta was extremely effective. I received samples. For 330 months, I couldn't get a prescription. So, years later, they have a generic version. I got a month's worth for $111. At 3 mg, nothing... so I try 6 mg... nothing, no bad or good to report! These pills are FRAUD!!!! I'm well accustomed to meds, and the generic I took did nothing. I'd get more effect from a sugar pill! I'm getting this so others can see not all generics are equal. There are various companies. I didn't know this, so if you suspect your med isn't up to particular like it used to be... check the maker! I'm very upset about this. I'm out $111 for the month for a fake pill made by the company."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 9, 2024

"Lunesta itself doesn't really put me to sleep, but it does seem to calm my mind and make me feel sedated, therefore increasing my likelihood to sleep. I've tried trazodone and it worked great but had really bad side effects. Tried mirtazapine and hated the weight gain side effects. Gabapentin gave me depression. This med is the only thing that somewhat works for me with no side effects. It's not perfect but does more than nothing."

• Low...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 26, 2023

"Finally, some good insomnia treatment! I have long suffered from insomnia, frequently getting only 2-3 hours of sleep per 24-hour period. No amount of melatonin, diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine, trazodone, or even Seroquel has worked, but this has! It does leave my mouth with an odd, coppery taste, but otherwise, it's by far the most effective treatment I've had thus far. Here's to a good night's sleep!"

• san...
• October 24, 2007

"I have been taking Lunesta for about a month now. So far, it has helped with my insomnia. I get tired within 15 to 20 minutes of taking the pill. However, I've noticed a definite weight gain since I've been taking Lunesta. Also, the medication makes me very swollen and leaves a bad taste in my mouth. If it weren't for the weight gain and swelling, this drug is one of the better treatments I've tried for insomnia."

• Hiy...
• July 8, 2010

"This drug worked wonders for me! I had terrible insomnia and was averaging only a few hours of sleep a night. I started taking 2 mg of Lunesta a year ago. It helped me with anxiety and allowed me to get 8 hours of sleep a night. I have always been afraid of forming a dependency on sleep aids, so after one year of using Lunesta, I weaned myself off, just to put my mind to ease. It was very easy to do! I cut my pill in half for a few weeks, then stopped taking it. No withdrawal symptoms. I then decided to keep taking 1 mg, but it's comforting for me to know that I'm not dependent on it. Taking this drug was the best decision I ever made. If I swallow it immediately with water, I don't get a bad taste."

• Anonymous
• September 2, 2010

"I've been taking Lunesta 2 mg for the past year. It is very effective. I fall asleep within the hour and feel rested in the morning. It also relaxes me. The sour taste went away completely after a month of use. The best if you take it on an empty stomach. The only thing I'm concerned about is that my body will get used to it and then it won't help. For now it's still a lifesaver for me after suffering from insomnia since I was a teenager. My doctor doesn't recommend that I take it for more than three times a week because I'm still young, however, I have no choice and have to take it every night. I can't sleep otherwise. I have kids to take care of and a full-time job. I MUST sleep."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 6, 2012

"Put me to sleep almost every night at first, however, I never felt like I had a great night's sleep. Then, after a few months, it became less effective. Started waking at five o'clock and needing to take supplemental medicines to get some sleep. Am switching to something that might also help with anxiety too. (By the way, did not experience the foul taste thing at all.)"

• 39 ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 10, 2015

"What you read about Lunesta's taste is so right. Lunesta is GROSS. It took about 20 minutes for the 'taste' that everyone complains about to show up. It did not help me sleep at all. I was half awake all night, and when I was asleep, I was having weird dreams. It's 12 hours later, and every time I sip water or anything, it still tastes like I chewed a Tylenol or something. 'Bitter' or 'metallic' taste is an understatement. Did not work, tasted horrible. If I could give this back to the pharmacy, I would. Back to Ambien for me."

• Lab...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 25, 2015

"Works pretty well after using it for several years. Works best on a totally empty stomach. Have had a glass of wine after taking 3 mg, and for some reason, it doesn't work as well for me. I wake up after only a couple of hours. All in all, I think it works great. I don't have the memory loss that I sometimes experience with Ambien."

• Bus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2016

"I was taking Ambien 15 mg for a while, but my body built a tolerance to it. Over 2 weeks ago, my doctor changed my prescription to Lunesta 3 mg. I finally got up the nerve to take it after doing all the research. This is the first I have taken, and I must say the aftertaste after about 5 minutes of taking it is absolutely horrible. Even breathing in through my mouth or nose heightens it. It strongly reminds me of how my mouth would taste after taking chemotherapy for cancer. It's causing a horrible flashback for me. This will be the first and last Lunesta I take. You also can't eat or drink anything as it tastes horrible too. I guess I will have to go back to Ambien."

• BIL...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 27, 2015

"Don't like it at all. The first time I took 1, 2 mg pill, it made me sleep great. But after that, nothing. Like taking a sugar pill. It also leaves this nasty copper taste in your mouth for a day or days. Everything you drink and eat is bad. Yuck. Back to my Ambien."

• Ver...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2016

"Tried 3 milligrams of Lunesta, did not work at all to help me sleep. But right now I am suffering from extreme anxiety and depression, and have other health issues and a ton of stuff on my mind. I also just tried Ambien ER last night, and it did not work either. In the past couple of years ago, I did take Ambien, and it worked to make me sleep, but after taking 4 a week or so, it made my anxiety and depression worse. Be careful if you suffer from depression, taking this medication is what I found out. I only recently tried to take sleeping pills again out of desperation, as I have developed some bad stomach problems and possibly my pancreatitis flaring up, and have been off of work for 2 months on workman's comp, worried about losing my house and my health."

• Ins...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 12, 2021

"I have been taking Lunesta 3 mg for 3 years now. It is the only medication that has helped with my insomnia. I sleep all night with no side effects. It can leave a strong metallic taste, but I found that filling my mouth with water and dropping the pill in and swallowing quickly prevents it from touching my mouth, therefore, no taste at all."

• KAT...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 28, 2013

"I have really, really bad insomnia. I'm up for 3-4 days straight, and after my doc prescribed me a combination of zopiclone and amitriptyline, I'm able to sleep 4-5 hours, but your body can become tolerant after a while, meaning you may have to increase your dosage. I've had to do this, but what I've started to do is try to keep really busy throughout the day, and if needed at night, I'll take a smaller dose than prescribed to me or try to go a few days without it, then take my regular dose."

• Bil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2018

"Started taking the generic form of Lunesta a few months ago for insomnia. As long as I don't eat too close to the time I take it, it works wonders. I only take it a couple of times a week because I don't want to end up with diminishing returns from taking it more often. Still trying to figure out how to prevent the horrid taste that develops the next day, but for the sleep, I'll suffer for a day or two."

• cal...
• August 19, 2009

"I've been taking Lunesta for almost a year, and it has worked wonders for me. I make sure I take it on an empty stomach, and I make sure I have at least 7 hours of sleep. I do get that weird taste in my mouth, but I don't mind, it's really not that bad. I have a toddler, and I am able to wake up in the middle of the night without a problem. If I do need to wake up in the middle of the night, I am alert, and then I am able to fall right back to sleep. Overall, I've had a great experience."

• Kvi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 18, 2017

"Beware! This works, but if you ever are without it - you'll not sleep. Withdrawals are a little rough if you are trying to come off. Use another OTC sleep aid while off. My insurance quit coverage, and I had to get through without it. Not easy."

• Kla...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 27, 2017

"I've been on Lunesta now for approximately 8 years. I take the 3 mg dose at this point and usually take it every other night. The few nights that I can't fall asleep within 30 minutes or so, I'll take 1 pill, and normally I can fall asleep within the next half hour for about 6 hours. When I do fall asleep at bedtime without taking a Lunesta, I'll usually wake up at 2 or 3 and can't fall back to sleep. Taking a Lunesta at that point will give me the additional 3-5 hours more of sleep. After taking it for so many years, I don't even notice any metallic taste. I usually do not wake up feeling groggy or tired. Works great even though I'm concerned about long-term unknown health issues. Don't want to grow two heads."