Eszopiclone and Metallic Taste: What Users Say

• Cra...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 3, 2013

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "I have taken Lunesta 3mg for around 6-7 years. It takes about 45 minutes to make me start nodding off. I had the metal taste when I first started using it but don't have any problem with that for years. I got insomnia when I had a hysterectomy years back. I used to take Trazodone and it worked great but gave me a headache every morning. Be sure not to eat any snacks near the time you take Lunesta as that interferes with absorption and falling asleep time. I think it might make me a little more depressed. However, if I don't sleep I would be a raving loon! Nothing worse than laying awake and your head won't shut up. I would like to be able to fall asleep without medication but it just doesn't happen without Lunesta."

• Luc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 3, 2020

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "After taking 2 mg Lunesta for a year, it is still effective for me. To be sure I do not become acclimated, I take it no more than 3 times a week. Without it, I max at 4 hours of sleep, with it, over 6 hours. I have no hangover or metallic taste in the morning."

• Lad...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 18, 2019

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "Been on 2 mg Lunesta on and off for 3 yrs, and it’s mostly effective. Once in a while it does nothing, but as long as I take it on an empty stomach it works well. Before and during my period is when it’s less effective. Had insomnia for 15 yrs, and finally at 37 years old, drs will treat me with real sleep meds (not crappy Unisom or trazodone). Ambien is scary-put me in a hypnotic-awake state! Ambien CR was my fave, but Lunesta generic is cheaper. No probs with metallic taste, idk what people are talking about. Just take it at least 3 hrs after dinner, get into bed with complete darkness, and maybe some sleep podcasts, and you’ll be in dreamland soon..."

• Ern...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2023

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "I thought Lunesta was the greatest gift. It gave me the most consistent sleep of my life. I even loved the metallic taste because I knew the drug was 'in my system.' I could fall asleep within 5-30 minutes with Lunesta. The only problem was that I developed massively cathartic, suicidal meltdowns. I kid you not, after around two weeks on Lunesta, on January 31st, I broke down in my room in a way that is hard to describe. I felt like my life was in ruins, the back of my head swelled, the future was awful (dreadful), and I became restless and unable to relax. I had to take powerful tranquilizers to go to bed and end these meltdowns. For some time I wasn't sure what caused the meltdowns. I had a few more. But after a few more attempts using Lunesta, I traced the meltdowns to Lunesta usage. The listed side effect of suicidal ideation is not incorrect. As a person who has never really been suicidal before, it happened to me."

• Pet...
• January 29, 2020

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "I have severe clinical depression and stupidly went off my Prozac for about four months. Then, one day, I totally crashed and was crying all the time and didn't sleep for four days. I had been given trazodone for anxiety/sleep, which did nothing. I went to my psychiatrist, and he gave me 3 mg of Lunesta. I took it the first night, no sleep at all. I was so desperate for sleep that the next night I took two. Had a solid and restoring 10 hours of sleep. I don't experience any metallic taste. I see they are trying to reduce the actual dosage from 3 to 1, but that is only because it makes you feel impaired the next day. I work at home and don't drive much, so for me, that isn't an issue. I have used Ambien in the past, but it gets so much bad press that I stopped taking it. All I can say is thank you to the makers of Lunesta and Prozac. I am also on Wellbutrin, so thanks to them as well."

• Jec...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 18, 2016

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "My experience with Lunesta was a bit difficult. The brand name (which I never believed was any different than generic) worked WONDERS for me for years! But after insurance, it was $50 per month. You get this lovely (awful) metallic taste in your mouth right before it kicks in, and it stays - so the trick is to brush your teeth AND tongue, drink OJ, it'll pass. Then the generic came out (YAY CHEAPER), and ALL I got was the metallic taste. No sleep. If you need sleep and have the $, go brand name and enjoy your slumber! 2mg was the perfect dose for me as 3mg made me a bit drowsy."

• Lau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 26, 2019

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "I took the generic form of Lunesta-eszopiclone-as the Lunesta brand is so expensive that you could pay your entire rent with only two bottles. The generic stuff works okay, but it leaves the most annoying, awful metallic taste in your mouth for the entire duration, the moment it hits your bloodstream."

• Fre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 5, 2016

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "Doc switched me from Ambien to Lunesta after about 7 months, stating that Ambien is known to cause Parkinson's long-term. It worked similarly at first, but because of its long half-life, I was told not to take another when I woke up early morning, 1-3 pm. This is a big problem because I cannot get back to sleep. Both 5mg Ambien and 3mg Lunesta give me 3-4 hours of sleep. With Ambien, I'd wake and take another 5mg and go right back to sleep. Now I can't do that anymore and seldom have any sleep quality after 2 pm. The copper taste didn't bother me at first, but now a month later, I notice everything tastes different, even water. It was hard to pinpoint, but I finally realized it was a metallic taste that was permeating everything I ate or drank."

• Fee...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 25, 2019

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "Worked excellently for me, it would knock me out and keep me asleep all night, and I would wake up refreshed with no side effects. It was my favorite. Some people don't like it because it can leave a metallic taste in your mouth, which it sometimes did, but it would go away as soon as you brushed your teeth or rinsed with mouthwash, not a big deal. I was on it for a little more than a year, but unfortunately, it stopped working. I took a break from it, hoping it would work again, but it never did. I now take Restoril/Temazepam, which is working well."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 12, 2015

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "I took my 2nd Lunesta last night. It was the first time that I have slept through the night in over 5 years. And it was a good, pleasant, restful sleep. I was so happy this morning that I teared up. The horrendous metallic taste that lasted 15 hrs kept it from a 10. However, taking the pill with 24 oz of water helped tremendously. After years of waking at 2 am for hours at a time, I started Ambien, but that didn't help, so I moved to Ambien CR. I still woke up several times a night (2-4x), ate some crazy concoction but went right back to sleep. I was happy with that improvement. Due to insurance changes, I was thankfully forced to find another sleep medication. In hindsight, Ambien CR sleep was angry, forced, stressful."

• Cry...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2023

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "I am 51 and a female. I have tried Quviviq, it did NOT work. Ambien, I was on for 5 years, was not working, so I went to a sleep specialist, and he put me on Lunesta 2 mg. It took a couple of weeks to start working well, but I love it - it keeps me asleep. I sleep so great now, I am not waking up all night. I am a little tired when I wake, and the dry mouth goes away after about 4 weeks or is not near as bad, and the metallic taste goes away too after about 5 weeks. I love Lunesta, thank God I can sleep again and not wake up 10 times a night. Lunesta is wonderful, it works great for me. I also take 1 ml of doxepin."

• Que...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 4, 2022

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "My physician prescribed Lunesta 2 mg. The first night I took the medication, it didn't work and leaves a very metallic taste in your mouth. It did not work, and I was up all night, very fidgety and restless, so I got up and did chores around the house. No benefits to this medication."

• Slu...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 4, 2019

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "I have been taking Lunesta for over 12 years now, every night, never missed a night. I never took more than my prescribed dose either. I was taking a 3 mg dose up until 4 months ago when I asked my doctor to wean me off of it, starting with a lower dose. I have been taking 2 mg for 4 months. 4 nights ago, I just stopped taking it. It's no big deal to many, but it's a huge deal for me. The drug has not worked for me for years now. I have not had the metallic taste in my mouth for 10 years, I'm thinking, but I do remember it. Picture definition of an addict. I have been taking absolutely nothing before bed these last 4 nights. I have slept fairly well the last 2 nights. The first couple of nights, once I fell asleep, I woke up every 2 hours or so. My attitude now is, so what if I wake up or fall asleep later? At least I'm not controlled by a tiny blue pill! I weighed 195 when I started taking Lunesta, 35 years old, 6'1''. Now I'm 48 and weigh 245. Hopefully, I'll lose some pounds in the coming months."

• Sug...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 24, 2017

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "So, I've tried multiple sleeping aids. Temazepam and trazodone gave me headaches. Benadryl, NyQuil, and hydroxyzine increased my restless legs. Melatonin was insufficient at the max recommended dosage. Ambien was by far the best at 10 mg, but because I'm only 27, the doctor doesn't want to prescribe an addictive medication (her words). So I'm on Lunesta. It has a horrible taste of pennies, but if you put it on the back of your tongue and let it slide down while drinking, it doesn't cause it. But DON'T take a drink and let it swish around, because it will leave that metallic taste! My insurance doesn't cover mine, but my pharmacy offers a discount card, so I pay $30. 1 mg is useless, I have to take 3 mg to get any sleep, but it's better than no sleep."

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

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "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."

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

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "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."

• gpm...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 18, 2019

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "Have been taking 1.5 mg nightly for over 1 solid year and have not noticed any significant tolerance. It's also far less disorienting than Ambien was for me. The metallic taste in the morning upon waking up is definitely noticeable but goes away after I'm up for an hour or so."

• jil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 8, 2013

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "Lunesta gave me the metallic taste, and I only slept a few hours. Ambien gave me nightmares. I am now on an old one called Halcion, but I never sleep through the night. Help needed or suggestions of something that might work without that awful taste the next day."

• Ins...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2016

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "I wanted this medication to work so bad - I got all the side effects except no sleep. :( For me, it started working after only 10 minutes of taking it, and yes, it does give a metallic taste. The biggest thing, hang on for a crazy ride! It made me VERY relaxed and have mild hallucinations (the blinds on the window and my bedroom door would look like they were slightly moving open/close or back and forth). I'm not sure how, but sleep never came! How I could be in that state and not sleep is beyond me."

• Anonymous
• June 18, 2011

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "I have struggled with insomnia for years. My biggest problem is either staying asleep or falling asleep. I worry a lot at night as well and can hear a pin drop when I'm asleep. I was taking benzos but found that I needed them almost every night, and that started to worry me, so my physician gave me Lunesta to try. (I have tried Ambien and Ambien CR, both did the opposite for me and kept me up all night). I love Lunesta. Not only do I fall asleep comfortably, I stay asleep. It feels natural, not like I am drugged. I wake up refreshed and ready for my day. I don't even need to take it every night, I found that if I take it a few nights, I don't really need it the following nights. Also, I have not had the metallic taste at all."

• Tay...
• August 7, 2011

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "I absolutely love Lunesta. It gives me peace and rest at night and gives me a full night's sleep. The metal taste is nothing that causes me any trouble. Only some things make it noticeable, like water. I have depersonalization symptoms, and Lunesta did not make them worse. If anything, it made them better because I can sleep now."

• LDW...
• November 20, 2015

Eszopiclone 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."

• Lar...
• July 22, 2017

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "Started Lunesta after a failed try at Trazodone and Prazosin and some other kinds. I've been taking Lunesta as needed for the past year. I'm currently on Adderall and come off it here and there to make sure I can still function without it. So when I go back to taking my Adderall, sleep isn't an option. With the Lunesta, it shuts my brain off and sleep the whole night. Yes, I have a slight metal taste, but I fall asleep before I actually notice it. I honestly wake not groggy at all, that's why I love it. But yes, I gotta be careful and not get hooked on taking this stuff and have a dependence."

• AEO...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 3, 2022

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "This drug saved me! After a traumatic brain injury, I developed insomnia. I’ve been on it for 10 years. I will say if you take it on an empty stomach, it will work better and more quickly. The metallic taste is not pleasant, but not sleeping is more unpleasant. My perfect bedtime combo is 1 mg Ativan, 3 mg Lunesta. If you're looking to try this medicine, I would definitely say try it. See how it works for you and go from there. I’ve had no negative side effects, and my body hasn’t gotten used to it, so it’s still working all the years later."

• Pat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 16, 2019

For Insomnia "I'm in the UK, and we use Zopiclone rather than Eszopiclone/Lunesta, but it's pretty much the same drug formulation. I have found that it works best every other night instead of every night, as most people will eventually build a tolerance to the sedative effect. So anyway, after taking Zopiclone, I read for a while and usually feel the effects around 20 minutes later - a strong feeling of relaxation gradually comes over me, but not too much confusion. Then I put my book down, and after that, I'm usually asleep in 10 minutes and feel refreshed the next day. I 'only' give it a 9 rating because of the strange metallic taste the next day, but it's a small price to pay for some sleep."