LUNESTA®TRANSCRIPT (page 1 of 3)If you have insomnia, which means you have trouble sleeping, you may be prescribedLunesta. You may also be familiar with its generic name, Eszopiclone. Lunesta is ahigh alert medication, which means if you do not take it exactly as prescribed, it maycause illness or injury.To understand how Lunesta works, let’s look at what happens in your body when youare trying to sleep.Your brain is constantly firing information and messages to the rest of your body,telling you what to think, what to feel and what to do. When you are ready to sleep,the messages being fired in your brain slow down allowing you to fall asleep. Butwhen you have insomnia, your brain cannot slow down the messages, and you stayawake.Lunesta enhances a chemical in the brain called GABA, which helps calm down thesignals that are firing in your brain so you can fall asleep.Lunesta comes in a tablet. Doses come in either; 1 mg, 2 mg, or 3 mg tablets. Do nottake more than 3 mg of Lunesta at one time. Your healthcare provider will decide howmuch you need to take and how best to take it.Lunesta is a powerful medication. Some people should not take it. Do not take Lunestaif you are allergic to the ingredients in it.If you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or are breastfeeding, tell yourhealthcare provider before taking Lunesta. A different medication may be safer for youand your baby.Before taking Lunesta, tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of: liverdisease, asthma or other breathing problems, sleep apnea or depression.20% gradient meshLunesta can be highly addictive. If you have a history of abuse of: street drugs,prescription medications or alcohol, tell your healthcare provider. There may be adifferent medication available for you.healthclipshealthclipsBefore taking Lunesta, give your healthcare provider a complete list of all othermedications you use, including vitamins and herbal supplements.healthclips(Continued on next page)healthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_md_10029_98_en_t00002.pdf healthclips© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.5% gradient meshLUNESTA®TRANSCRIPT (page 2 of 3)Some side effects of Lunesta include: feeling tired in the daytime, dizziness, poorconcentration, trouble with memory, anxiety, depression, nausea, constipation, drymouth, headache, mild skin rash and an unpleasant taste in your mouth.If you do notice any of these side effects, contact your healthcare provider about howto manage them.Be aware that you are at an increased risk of falling while taking Lunesta. Get up froma sitting or lying position slowly.Make sure you are fully awake before you drive or operate heavy machinery, includingyour car, while taking Lunesta.Be aware that alcohol can increase some side effects of Lunesta.When taking Lunesta, you may do things you don’t remember doing such as sleepeating or sleep walking. If this happens to you, stop taking Lunesta and call yourhealthcare provider.If you have an allergic reaction like: trouble breathing, hives, or swelling of your faceor throat; call 911. If you have: hallucinations, mood or behavior changes, or thoughtsof hurting yourself or others; call your healthcare provider right away.This is not the complete list of side effects. Make sure you discuss all possible sideeffects with your healthcare provider.Take Lunesta exactly as prescribed. Do not change your dose or take it for longer thanprescribed.Lunesta is usually taken before bed. Make sure you get a full 7 to 8 hours of sleepwhen taking it.20% gradient meshIf you miss a dose, take your Lunesta as soon as possible. Do not double dose. If youthink you have taken too much Lunesta, call 911. An overdose can lead to death.healthclipshealthclipsStore Lunesta away from moisture and direct sunlight. Your bathroom medicinecabinet is not the best place because of moisture. Do not leave your medication whereit could get too hot or too cold.healthclipshealthclips(Continued on next page)4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_md_10029_98_en_t00002.pdf healthclips© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.5% gradient meshLUNESTA®TRANSCRIPT (page 3 of 3)Always store your medication out of sight and out of reach of children to preventaccidents.When you are done taking Lunesta tablets, crush all of your remaining pills and mixthem with undesirable trash like kitty litter or coffee grounds.Do not sell or give your Lunesta to anyone else. It is against the law and can seriouslyharm anyone else taking it. Contact your local police station for more information onproper disposal directions.Lunesta can help you get the sleep you need. But, it is a powerful medication thatshould only be taken exactly as prescribed. If you have any questions about Lunesta,ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist for more information.20% gradient meshhealthclipshealthclipshealthclipshealthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_md_10029_98_en_t00002.pdf healthclips© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.5% gradient mesh
