Lunesta Side Effects
Generic name: eszopiclone
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 23, 2023.
Note: This document contains side effect information about eszopiclone. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Lunesta.
Applies to eszopiclone: oral tablet.
Warning
Oral route (Tablet)
Complex sleep behaviors including sleep-walking, sleep-driving, and engaging in other activities while not fully awake may occur following use of eszopiclone. Some of these events may result in serious injuries, including death. Discontinue eszopiclone immediately if a patient experiences a complex sleep behavior.
Serious side effects of Lunesta
Along with its needed effects, eszopiclone (the active ingredient contained in Lunesta) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking eszopiclone:
More common
- Chills
- cough
- fever
- hoarseness
- lower back or side pain
- painful or difficult urination
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
Less common
- Bladder pain
- bloody or cloudy urine
- confusion
- diarrhea
- discouragement
- fear or nervousness
- feeling sad or empty
- frequent urge to urinate
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- headache
- irritability
- joint pain
- lack of appetite
- loss of interest or pleasure
- muscle aches and pains
- nausea
- nerve pain
- runny nose
- seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
- shivering
- sore throat
- sweating
- trouble concentrating
- trouble sleeping
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking eszopiclone:
Symptoms of overdose
- Change or loss of consciousness
- difficult or troubled breathing
- irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
- pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
Other side effects of Lunesta
Some side effects of eszopiclone may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
- belching
- change in taste
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- heartburn
- indigestion
- pain
- stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
Less common
- Abnormal dreams
- accidental injury
- decreased interest in sexual intercourse
- inability to have or keep an erection
- pain, cramps, or heavy bleeding (females)
- rash
- swelling of the breasts or breast soreness (in both males and females)
Incidence not known
- Change in sense of smell
- loss of memory
- problems with memory
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to eszopiclone: oral tablet.
General
The most commonly reported side effects included unpleasant taste, headache, somnolence, and infection.[Ref]
Nervous system
Very common (10% or more): Unpleasant taste (up to 34%), headache (up to 21%)
Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, migraine, neuralgia, somnolence
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ataxia, decreased reflexes, difficulty concentrating, hypertonia, hypesthesia, incoordination, memory impairment, nystagmus, paresthesia, vertigo, vestibular disorder
Rare (less than 0.1%): Abnormal gait, hyperesthesia, hypokinesia, neuritis, neuropathy, stupor, tremor
Postmarketing reports: Dysosmia[Ref]
A dose-response relationship appears to exist for dizziness and unpleasant taste.
Headache was reported in 21% of non-elderly patients given 2 mg orally for 6 weeks, and in 17% of non-elderly adults given 3 mg orally for 6 weeks.
In patients 65 to 86 years of age, headache occurred in up to 15% of patients given 1 mg, and unpleasant taste occurred in up to 12% of patients given 2 mg orally for 2 weeks.
Dizziness and neuralgia commonly occurred in patients aged 65 years of age or older. Somnolence has also been reported in this patient population.[Ref]
Psychiatric
A dose-response relationship appears to exist for confusion, decreased libido, and hallucinations.
Abnormal dreams and nervousness commonly occurred in patients aged 65 years of age or older.[Ref]
Common (1% to 10%): Abnormal dreams, anxiety, confusion, decreased libido, depression, hallucinations, nervousness
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal thinking, agitation, apathy, emotional lability, hostility, insomnia, neurosis,
Rare (less than 0.1%): Euphoria[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, dry mouth, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Halitosis, melena, mouth ulceration, ulcerative stomatitis
Rare (less than 0.1%): Colitis, dysphagia, gastritis, rectal hemorrhage, stomach ulcer, stomatitis, tongue edema
Frequency not reported: Abdominal pain[Ref]
A dose-response relationship appears to exist for dry mouth.
Diarrhea, dry mouth, and dyspepsia commonly occurred in patients aged 65 years of age or older. Abdominal pain and nausea have also been reported in this patient population.[Ref]
Genitourinary
Common (1% to 10%): Dysmenorrhea, urinary tract infection
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Amenorrhea, breast engorgement, breast enlargement, breast pain, cystitis, dysuria, female lactation, hematuria, mastitis, menorrhagia, metrorrhagia, urinary frequency, urinary incontinence, uterine hemorrhage, vaginal hemorrhage, vaginitis
Rare (less than 0.1%): Urethritis[Ref]
Urinary tract infections commonly occurred in patients aged 65 years of age or older.[Ref]
Dermatologic
A dose-response relationship appears to exist for rash.
Pruritus commonly occurred in patients aged 65 years of age or older. Abdominal pain has also been reported in this patient population.[Ref]
Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, rash
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Acne, alopecia, cellulitis, contact dermatitis, dry skin, eczema, photosensitivity, skin discoloration, sweating, urticaria
Rare (less than 0.1%): Erythema multiforme, furunculosis, hirsutism, maculopapular rash, vesiculobullous rash[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Accidental injury, pain
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ear pain, face edema, fever, hernia, malaise, otitis externa, otitis media, tinnitus
Rare (less than 0.1%): Hyperacusis
Frequency not reported: Asthenia[Ref]
A dose-response relationship appears to exist for accidental injury and pain.
Accidental injury and pain commonly occurred in patients aged 65 years of age or older. Asthenia and pain have also been reported in this patient population.[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain, peripheral edema
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Heat stroke, hypertension
Rare (less than 0.1%): Thrombophlebitis[Ref]
Immunologic
Common (1% to 10%): Infection, viral infection
Rare (less than 0.1%): Herpes zoster
Frequency not reported: Flu syndrome[Ref]
A dose-response relationship appears to exist for infection.[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Allergic reaction[Ref]
Endocrine
Common (1% to 10%): Gynecomastia[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arthritis, bursitis, joint disorder, joint pain, joint swelling, joint stiffness, leg cramps, myasthenia, neck rigidity, twitching
Rare (less than 0.1%): Arthrosis, myopathy
Frequency not reported: Back pain, myalgia[Ref]
Metabolic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anorexia, hypercholesterolemia, increased appetite, thirst, weight gain, weight loss
Rare (less than 0.1%): Dehydration, gout, hyperlipemia, hypokalemia[Ref]
Respiratory
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Asthma, bronchitis, dyspnea, epistaxis, hiccup, laryngitis
Frequency not reported: Pharyngitis, rhinitis[Ref]
Ocular
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Conjunctivitis, dry eyes
Rare (less than 0.1%): Iritis, mydriasis, photophobia, ptosis[Ref]
Renal
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Kidney calculus, kidney pain
Rare (less than 0.1%): Oliguria, pyelonephritis[Ref]
Hematologic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Anemia, lymphadenopathy[Ref]
Hepatic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cholelithiasis
Rare (less than 0.1%): Hepatitis, hepatomegaly, liver damage[Ref]
Oncologic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Breast neoplasm[Ref]
Frequently asked questions
More about Lunesta (eszopiclone)
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (327)
- Drug images
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Generic availability
- Support group
- FDA approval history
- Drug class: miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics
- Breastfeeding
- En español
Patient resources
Professional resources
Related treatment guides
References
1. (2004) "Product Information. Lunesta (eszopiclone)." Sepracor Inc
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.