Eszopiclone and Metallic Taste: What Users Say (Page 2)

• upg...
• May 6, 2010

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "I just made the switch from Ambien to Lunesta because Ambien just wasn't working for me anymore. I am not a regular taker, just on the odd occasion like traveling. But I took Lunesta for the first time last night, and I did fall asleep quickly, but after about four hours, I suddenly awoke. Then I woke up again after another four hours, wide awake! This was at 5 in the morning, and I wasn't ready to get up. I guess that is kind of a good thing because I didn't feel groggy or sleepy at all. I lay there and finally drifted off for a couple more hours, and then I had a weird dream. The metallic taste is the only side effect I have noticed."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2020

For Insomnia "I have had massive insomnia since the age of 4, and have tried every OTC and non-drug sleep strategy I could get my hands on. The doctor recently started me on this eszopiclone, and WOW. I take 7.5 mg, and about half an hour after I take it, the metallic taste pops up. I pass out sometime between 15 to 30 minutes later and get a full 10 hours of sleep. No sleepiness or other adverse effects the next morning."

• I...
• January 4, 2020

For Insomnia "Bottom line: If you use Lunesta, pay for the brand. If you can’t, then look for another alternative, as this will be a frustrating process that will not help you sleep. I’ve noticed a significant problem with generic Lunesta. I had no problems with the brand. This is in no way “identical” to the brand. Even the metallic taste is different. Effectiveness: I would normally take 1 mg - 2 mg of Lunesta, and that is effective in getting me to sleep. I’ve had sleeping issues for a variety of reasons, including hormonal and anxiety, so I would use Lunesta for 1-3 nights to get my sleeping pattern back on track. I take it 1-3 nights a week max. Lately, it hasn’t been working, so last night, after many nights of no sleep, I took 4 mg. I’ve never taken that much. It made me feel drowsy but did NOT put me to sleep or keep me asleep. Not to mention the night eating I’ve been experiencing. It’s time to find something else."

• Haz...
• June 16, 2017

For Insomnia "I have been on Lunesta since 2010. Worked like a charm. Definitely left a metallic taste even the next morning, but I did not care because I could sleep and wake refreshed. I immediately switched to the generic once available and had no issues. However, earlier this year, I noticed that the medication no longer had the metallic taste, but I also noticed that it stopped working. It is obvious that the manufacturer has changed the inactive ingredients to do away with the side effect of the metallic taste, but now the medication is NOT working, and I don't know what I am going to do."

• Anonymous
• July 20, 2009

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "I used this medicine to help me fall asleep. While it did work and I fell right asleep, the next day I felt groggy and had a metallic taste in my mouth, accompanied by ringing in my ears. The side effects far outweighed the benefits of this medicine for me."

• Nol...
• March 23, 2011

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "Lunesta is the most incredible sleep aid on the market - smooth and no hangover in the morning. It is worth the cost. Under much stress in 2008, I began taking Lunesta 3 mg (for 1 month), then moved to the 2 mg for several months, then to the 1 mg, which is enough of a sleep aid to get the job done for me. The metallic taste, once the medicine is in your system, is noticeable but not bad and, for me, goes away quickly. You absolutely must take it on an empty stomach. I definitely noticed a tendency to weight gain and fluid retention on all 3 dosages, though less tendency to fluid retention on the 1 mg. I just stopped taking it this week (March 2011). I'm not in bed until 2 - 2:30 am, but I can sleep without it."

• Lmm...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 17, 2022

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "I used Lunesta for approximately one year. Coming from someone who tried all lesser 'evils' (melatonin (and other natural crap), hydroxyzine, trazodone, diphenhydramine, SSRIs, benzodiazepines, meditation, improved sleep hygiene), Lunesta was a godsend. I've had insomnia since I was a teenager, and as a 30-year-old adult, a medical professional, I was sick of insomnia ruling and ruining my body and mind. It worked great for a year, with three complaints: 1) the metallic taste is second to licking a battery, 2) I got daytime grogginess I accounted to mental health but was actually this drug, 3) I became tolerant to it after one year with STRICT normal use. Went from 2mg to 3mg to it only worked with 4mg+/dose. I had to switch to something else because that's unacceptable. I've been on 10mg Ambien for a little over a year, and it works as good, if not better, without taste issues, daytime fog, or any tolerance so far. Only complaint-- rarely it makes me feel a bit 'high.'"

• sle...
• October 30, 2013

For Insomnia "I finally decided that I'd suffered with insomnia for long enough, and my doctor prescribed 5 mg of generic zopiclone. I get the metallic taste shortly after taking it, but I've learned to keep a small glass of OJ beside the bed. This medication has been my saving grace! I almost get excited when the metallic taste comes now because I know I'll be sleeping shortly thereafter! If you've suffered from insomnia like I have, a little metallic taste in your mouth is a SMALL PRICE TO PAY! I highly recommend zopiclone for insomnia!"

• Ben...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 29, 2024

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "Lunesta has been a very effective drug for my insomnia. I wake up in the morning feeling refreshed and ready for the day. The only side effect I experienced was it took over 5 months for the metallic taste in my mouth to go away."

• Gyp...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2018

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "Works okay... First couple of nights, no sleep really, then it kind of started working. But it leaves an awful metallic taste in the mouth well into the next day. So I switched to temazepam 30 mg, which was a complete no-go... Completely useless. Just laid in bed like a tree full of owls. Finally, my doc put me on Ambien, which works like a charm, thank heavens."

• Hop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2022

For Insomnia "Took Lunesta 2 nights in a row. Stayed awake all night. Increased to 2 pills. Still no sleep. Gave me a horrible metallic taste in my mouth within hours that lingered most of the day. Would not recommend."

• Sir...
• May 9, 2019

For Insomnia "I've been diagnosed with severe chronic insomnia and anxiety for the last 8 years, and while it takes a lot to make me sleep in terms of drugs (usually more than the average Joe), this drug did the job for me for a year and a half. For me, the positives were: - Fell asleep fast if taken an hour before bed - Woke up refreshed, no hangover feeling - Helped me stay asleep all through the night. The negatives were: - Bad aftertaste, numbness of the tongue, bad breath, metallic taste that lasted 24/7, coated tongue, pain on both sides of the tongue, gums, and teeth became very sensitive. - Must be taken on an empty stomach, otherwise, it won't work, so forget about snacking at night. - Addictive, and when I got off it, I got a severe panic attack. - Some memory loss, nothing severe. - Body gets used to it, so after a while, you need a higher dose. - Slower liver. It's a great drug to treat short-term sleeping problems, but if you suffer like I do from severe insomnia, it might not be the best of choices."

• lex...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 16, 2016

For Insomnia "The brand worked wonders for me. Teva generic does absolutely nothing but give me the metallic taste in my mouth times 10 that the name brand did. The generic by Roxane works for me. It still doesn't work as well as the brand name."

• Ste...
• January 11, 2017

For Insomnia "Eszopiclone by Teva was an awful sleep medication for me - 4 nights of almost no sleep accompanied by a dreadful metallic taste that stays around for 12 hours. As good a sleep aid as Quetiapine was, this drug was dreadful. I'd stay far away from this drug. Perhaps the brand name drug Lunesta is better, but my insurance didn't cover it."

• Sle...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 9, 2022

For Insomnia "I take 3 mg for sleeping, that works for me. I've tried all kinds. Belsomra kinda worked. Horrible hangover next day. Ramelteon did nothing. Ambien was terrible! Got me high as heck, but no sleep, both IR and CR. If Ambien doesn't work for you, then try this. Yes, metallic taste in the mouth in the morning, but take it nightly and that goes away. Thanks, Lunesta, for the good rest!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 17, 2025

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "I had tried Unisom, melatonin, and doxylamine for sleep. I couldn't go to sleep for hours on end. And when I did, I would always wake up and take forever to go back to sleep. My NP put me on Lunesta, and it was a lifesaver. It allowed me to get my circadian rhythm back in check, and I sleep like a baby with it. The only downsides I have experienced were a metallic taste the next morning and while I was taking it, and I would experience sleepwalking if I took too high of a dose. But both of these side effects are so worth it considering I am finally able to sleep again."

• 121...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2018

For Insomnia "The only side effect that I know of is the metallic aftertaste. Problem is, the med is just not effective. A couple of times, I got a few hours of interrupted light sleep, but most of the time, nothing. 3 mg at bedtime, and I lay awake praying that I get some sleep. Nope, not on this worthless pill."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 9, 2012

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "Lunesta works very well for me. It does leave a metallic taste in your mouth."

• sca...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2016

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "I have been on and off Ambien for 6 years. Well, I decided to try Lunesta 3 mg. It gave me a nasty metallic taste for a whole day. I couldn't go to sleep. It was horrible."

• bla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2016

For Insomnia "I suffer from great insomnia. Nothing but Lunesta puts me down. And it provided an extra benefit, as it kept me relaxed all day after. The metallic taste is worth the sleep."