Lunesta and Nausea: What Users Say

• Fli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2018

For Insomnia "I was on Lunesta for occasional insomnia, and it worked fairly well for my insomnia when I took it on an empty stomach (minimum a few hours after dinner). That being said, it is very addictive. I’ve never had issues with substance dependence, but after taking it for several days, I got severe rebound insomnia. It also is very tolerance-prone. Withdrawing from it was horrible and lasted for over a week, with a constant migraine-level headache, chills, nausea, diarrhea, shooting nerve pains, tremors, and absolutely terrible insomnia. So my advice, if you use it for insomnia, then set a limit for yourself. It’s a godsend for occasional insomnia, but don’t take it for more than three nights in a row and make sure to wait a few days after using it to reduce rebound and tolerance effects. It really is a good drug for insomnia, but treat it with the caution and respect it deserves because the dependence and withdrawal are horrible."

• Ren...
• April 10, 2021

For Insomnia "Doc told me to take two. At first, I was hopeful, nice drowsy, relaxed feeling in 20 minutes. An hour later, I was still awake. The relaxed, sleepy feeling was replaced with irritation. This chemical taste is bad, and it doesn’t go away. I eventually fell asleep but woke up repeatedly. I felt nauseous that night. Two nights later, I tried one pill. Crawled right into bed and didn’t fall asleep for hours. The taste came back along with agitation and then finally asleep and again woke up every hour. Also, for those who have an anxiety disorder, I want to point out that first night I had a mild panic attack within a few hours due to strange agitation. The anxiety didn’t go away. The anxiety did return the second time I took it. It was not as severe, probably because I only took one. I think for some of us this pill doesn’t “relax” you, it does the opposite. The strange agitation lasts for hours, hence the tossing and turning."

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

For Insomnia "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."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 19, 2021

For Insomnia "I don't sleep for more than 45 minutes at a time, constantly waking up. I didn't realize that wasn't normal. I was on Ambien for about 2 years. When it worked, it WORKED. Then, it lost its effectiveness. Recently switched to Lunesta. IT DID NOTHING. The full dose of 3 mg did nothing but made me nauseous to the point of not eating for a couple of days."

• VB ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2017

For Insomnia "In three short weeks, this drug wrecked my body. I got a skin rash that got infected within 10 days. First, I thought, okay, this is weird. I didn't connect it to the Lunesta... but it was all downhill from there. Brain fog, memory problems, getting lost while driving, etc. Then my whole digestive system crashed. I'm talking severe pain in my stomach, constant nausea, no appetite, and constipation that would not move without a laxative. Then my body launched adrenaline to fight back. I started switching from fatigue to adrenaline, back and forth. After one ER visit and numerous urgent care trips, I realized it all started with the Lunesta. Buyer beware."

• LDW...
• November 20, 2015

For Insomnia "10 days on Lunesta (generic). Not sure why doc suggested I try it, as I'd been on the same low dose of Ambien for 3 years, good results. Anyway, had the metallic taste, just annoying, but I slept okay. After a day or so waking up more, sleeping less. Took an extra 1/2 last night - total 4.5 mg. Slept, but today all day major headaches and nausea. Not sure what to do tonight - wishing for backup Benadryl. Calling doc tomorrow - will request back to Ambien."

• Sco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 7, 2019

For Insomnia "Prescribed 2 mg of the generic. Took it one night (two nights ago), and it did not help. Felt hungover the next day, with a cough and clear mucus, and horrible nausea and diarrhea. Not worth it for me."

• Cra...
• March 22, 2018

For Insomnia "This is the second time I tried Lunesta. Once years ago. I couldn't remember if it helped or not, I did remember the bad taste. This time I was very hesitant to try it again. Wish I would have listened to my instincts!!! Within 10 minutes of taking it, I could taste the bitter metal grossness, even when I would breathe! I wanted to vomit. I'll go back to Ambien."

• Tim...
• November 14, 2015

For Insomnia "It definitely helps me go to sleep, but keeping me asleep is where I run into issues. I wake up just as much as before. Some morning nausea for the first few hours, but other than that, it is fine."

• Ins...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 16, 2012

For Insomnia "Dry mouth, nausea, horrible taste."