How much lunesta should i take

Health care professionals should follow the new dosing recommendations when starting patients on Lunesta. Patients should continue taking their prescribed dose of Lunesta and contact their health care professionals to ask about the most appropriate dose for them.

A study of Lunesta found that the previously recommended dose of 3 mg can cause impairment to driving skills, memory, and coordination that can last more than 11 hours after receiving an evening dose see Data Summary. Despite these driving and other problems, patients were often unaware they were impaired.

The new lower recommended starting dose of 1 mg at bedtime will result in less drug in the blood the next day. Women and men are equally susceptible to impairment from Lunesta, so the recommended starting dose of 1 mg is the same for both.

The 1 mg dose can be increased to 2 mg or 3 mg if needed, but the higher doses are more likely to result in next-day impairment of driving and other activities that require full alertness. We caution patients taking a 3 mg dose against driving or engaging in other activities that require complete mental alertness the day after use. We have approved changes to the Lunesta prescribing information and the patient Medication Guide to include these new recommendations.

The drug labels for generic eszopiclone products will also be updated to include these changes. We are continuing to evaluate the risk of impaired mental alertness with the entire class of sleep aid drugs, including over-the-counter drugs available without a prescription, and will update the public as new information becomes available.

Health care professionals and patients can refer to our Sleep Disorder Sedative-Hypnotic Drug Information Web page to find updated information and access the latest labels for insomnia drugs.

In a double-blind study of 91 healthy adults between 25 and 40 years old, the effects of Lunesta 3 mg on psychomotor function were assessed the following morning, between 7. Measures included tests of psychomotor coordination that are correlated with the ability to maintain a motor vehicle in the driving lane, tests of working memory, and subjective perception of sedation and coordination.

Compared with placebo, Lunesta 3 mg was associated with next-morning psychomotor and memory impairment that was most severe at 7. Call now to talk with a treatment specialist about your recovery options. Lunesta is available in one, two, and three-milligram tablets. Although people who take the drug as prescribed typically start on a one-milligram dose, those who abuse the drug will often take higher doses to experience faster and more intense effects.

Taking Lunesta in doses higher than prescribed may result in side effects such as hallucinations and euphoria. However, it does not take excessive doses to achieve these effects. People who take enough Lunesta to overdose are likely either unaware of the dangers of their dosage, are abusing the drug, or maybe intentionally trying to harm themselves.

Reports of Lunesta overdose detail that overdose can occur with doses starting at 36 milligrams, with other cases ranging up to 90 times the 1 to 3 mg therapeutic dose. Taking very high doses of Lunesta, or taking doses more frequently than prescribed, can result in an overdose. Symptoms of Lunesta overdose are often treatable once medical attention is sought. How long the recovery process takes may depend on the amount taken, overall health, and whether or not the person was struggling with Lunesta abuse or addiction.

According to the previous study, overdosing on Lunesta alone is unlikely to lead to death. Overdose is most dangerous when someone has mixed Lunesta with other substances, like alcohol or other CNS depressants.

This does not downplay the seriousness of overdose. Accidental overdoses can happen with medications like Lunesta, but an overdose can also be an intentional act by someone struggling with suicidal thoughts. One of the potential side effects of Lunesta is worsening depression in people who have a history of depression or suicidal thoughts.

The risk for this can be even higher when someone is abusing Lunesta or taking it in high doses. Other concerning side effects and consequences of high doses of Lunesta may include:. The typical dosage of Ambien is higher. The typical dosage of extended-release Ambien is 6. Your doctor may have you try the immediate-release form first, and then switch you to the extended-release form if needed.

With either medication, your dosage will be based on your gender, age, and other factors. Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose to keep the side effects to a minimum. They can adjust the dosage up or down as needed. For some people, this drug caused lingering effects the morning after taking it. These effects impaired alertness. Women seem more likely to be affected because their bodies process the drug more slowly.

Common side effects of both drugs are lightheadedness and dizziness. You may also have continued sleepiness during the day. Some people taking these drugs sleepwalk or do unusual things in their sleep, such as:. The risk of this side effect is greater if you drink alcohol or use other central nervous system CNS depressants while taking either of these drugs.

You should never mix alcohol and sleeping pills. Some other substances that can interact with these drugs are detailed in the Healthline articles on eszopiclone Lunesta and zolpidem Ambien. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the medications that you take, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements or herbal products. Both drugs carry the risk of dependency and withdrawal. If you take high doses of either one or use it for more than 10 days, you may develop a physical dependency.

Stopping suddenly can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms of withdrawal include shakiness, nausea, and vomiting. To avoid withdrawal symptoms, speak to your doctor about reducing your dose a little at a time. You may still have enough of the drug in your body the next day to impair these activities. Discuss the pros and cons of each with your doctor. Be sure to mention all your existing medical issues and drugs you currently take.