Lunesta and Bad Taste: What Users Say

• Lis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 16, 2021

For Insomnia "This sleeping medication seems to be working so far. I had that bad taste in the mouth that everyone has been talking about. I solved the taste problem by taking a mini marshmallow (also tried with big marshmallow and broke into a little piece) and put the pill inside of it and molded it around it (a little water helps it get sticky). Voila! No more bad taste."

• Gre...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 8, 2021

For Insomnia "I take 3 mg at 9 pm and go to bed at 11 and fall directly to sleep and sleep straight through the night. It does have an odd taste. If I take it at 11, I won't go to sleep till 1. It takes 2 hours to kick in. I have had no side effects like I had with Ambien, which were rapid heart rate and hallucinations. I've been taking Lunesta for a few years."

• Dsq...
• December 2, 2016

For Insomnia "I started having terrible sleeping issues due to some life events. I saw the commercials on TV about it and talked to my doctor about it. Plus, I read it didn't have the crazy side effects of other sleeping pills. It came across as perhaps a lighter sleeping pill. I got a prescription for 3 mg, and the first night I took it, about 5 minutes later, I got this terrible taste in my mouth, very bitter. For the ladies, I'd describe it as having fingernail polish on and biting your nail, that taste. I grabbed some spearmint candy I had and sucked on one of those, and that helped so much! By the time I finished the 2nd one, I was almost out of it and completely asleep. I did that for a week, but now I don't even taste it anymore. Been using for 3 years now!"

• ins...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 13, 2013

For Insomnia "Lunesta is a wonderful medication; I have used it daily since 2006. It works just as well today as when I started. I fall asleep quickly and sleep the entire night. Waking up is no problem. The taste in the early mornings is there, but I don't mind since this drug works so well. For those whom insurance doesn't cover, go to the Lunesta website for a coupon."

• Its...
• December 4, 2012

For Insomnia "I have taken Lunesta 3 mg for about 5 years now. Never have I had bad dreams or any instances of sleepwalking, etc. I take it, and about 45 minutes later, I am fast asleep until my alarm clock goes off. Prior to finding Lunesta, I had insomnia for years, and I cannot tell you how much of a lifesaver this medicine has been! I tried Ambien, but it did not work for me at all. I also tried Sonata, but I would wake up a few hours after going to sleep. I've had no problems with tolerance, either. The only 'bad' thing is the crappy taste in one's mouth, but I discovered that brushing my tongue when I brush my teeth before going to bed gets rid of 90% of it, along with using Biotene mouthwash (the dry mouth brand). Hooray! My insurance will now cover it, too!"

• Jud...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 26, 2013

For Insomnia "The only problem, besides the aftertaste, is that I find I need to go to bed within 10 minutes of taking the medicine, or the sleepy effect just doesn't happen, and I'm left tossing and turning the rest of the night."

• FXA...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 17, 2020

For Insomnia "Tonight was my first time using Lunesta, so I had great hopes. I was on Ambien for many years, so it started becoming harder and harder to fall asleep. I took Lunesta at 10:49, woke up at 12:49, with this awful taste in my mouth. I thought I may have laid down too fast, trying to get off to dreamland, yet here I sit typing this review while my husband snores away. Sighs."

• Red...
• February 23, 2016

For Insomnia "I've been taking Lunesta for 2 years, and I love it. Does exactly what it's supposed to: 6 hours of restful sleep, no hangovers. Like some people say, it has a horrible taste if it stays in your mouth. Pop it in the back of your throat and swallow. It's a very small pill."

• tra...
• July 5, 2009

For Insomnia "I've taken Lunesta for a year, and as a night shift nurse, I'm able to take 3 mg and sleep solidly for 5-6 hours while the sun is shining outside. When I wake, I'm ready and refreshed for another 12-hour overnight shift. The funny taste goes away after a while and is worth the benefit of a good sleep. I recommend taking it on a relatively empty stomach, then jumping in the sack in a cool room and closing your eyes, trying to calm your breathing, then let the sleep come to you. A good pair of comfortable earplugs may help too."

• Sle...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2016

For Insomnia "I took 2 mg for 7 weeks. At first, the aftertaste was the only adverse side effect, although in retrospect, within a couple of weeks, I started having a dry cough. By the end of the 1st month, I thought I had either a cold or an allergic reaction to something. Went to my doctor, and the possible side effects of the was not even brought up. I am coughing a lot and bringing up clear mucus. I often felt like my throat is closing up, and it reminded me of strep with how sore my throat was. Last night, completely frustrated, I googled sore throat, cough, and Lunesta and found many other people had similar symptoms. At first, Lunesta worked fine, but gradually I slept less, and the side effects were (are) horrible. I'm wide awake tonight!"

• pal...
• March 1, 2009

For Insomnia "I have used Lunesta for five years now, and I am so glad. I have been a chronic insomniac for the entire time due to anxiety and depression from my husband's long illness and death (PTSD), and Post Menopausal Syndrome that hit the same time my husband died. Just ghastly. Most physical and mental symptoms are gone now, but I still cannot sleep or rest without this pill, and I have tried and still do practice all the recommended actions (like a cool room; don't eat after five in the afternoon, etc.). If your stomach is even half full at bedtime, it does not work nearly as well. I do not experience any adverse physical or mental symptoms, including any bad taste using this medication. Getting enough rest is so important to me."

• kla...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 30, 2021

For Insomnia "I've been using 3 mg of Lunesta long-term... 8 to 10 years. I'm currently 70 years old, and yes, in the beginning, the taste was bitter. However, after a year or so... I don't even notice it. For me, usually, I can fall asleep within 1/2 an hour, however, I'll always wake up 2-3 hours later and can never get back to sleep. I'll take my Lunesta then, and about 90% of the time, it works within 30 minutes, allowing me to fall back asleep. Usually... it will give me an additional 3-4 hours of sleep with no ill effects the next day. Nights that it didn't work, I would double up, and that would normally do the trick. Having been on it for such a long time, I'd be lost without it."

• And...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 4, 2018

For Insomnia "Took it for about 5 years, did the job. Generally, when I cut it, I get the bad taste, but whole, the taste is not so bad. I have been able to wean myself down to 1/2 tab and still get 5 hrs of sleep. Gets the job done! I've struggled with insomnia for so many years, thanks to the manufacturers, I now have something that works."

• Joe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2020

For Insomnia "Worthless drug for my Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder. The only thing Lunesta does is make my muscles twitch on opposite sides of the body, dry mouth, and a horrible taste. Leaves me feeling very panicked, like I’m afraid to lose consciousness. What a disappointment."

• Moo...
• June 17, 2020

For Insomnia "I never slept well. I used to take clotiazepam (Clozan) to sleep, and it was okay, I only took it when it was needed. Sometimes it didn't do anything and had a good minty flavor. A new psychiatrist changed it to Lunesta, and I took it yesterday. I was in bed, it didn't do anything at first, and then I almost threw it up. That's when the worst started. It had a horrible taste in my mouth. I got up scared and talked very odd things to my family (that's what they say). I started panicking over the fact that I was losing control over my body. I tried quickly to Google what was happening to me, but I couldn't understand a word, and I heard something like voices and weird music. I went to the bathroom to brush my teeth twice, but the taste never went away. All of these events are very blurry. I had a weird dream (I felt like I was still awake more than three times) and nightmares, so I didn't sleep well either. I don't even want to take it again to see if it adjusts well to me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2020

For Insomnia "Around 1 am, I decided I would probably not sleep well tonight, so I figured I would try the 3 mg Lunesta I was prescribed yesterday. So far, it has done nothing but leave me somewhat anxious, stiffen my muscles, as well as leave a terrible taste in my mouth, made worse with every breath. It costs too much money for it to not work..."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2015

For Insomnia "'Wow'! That pretty well sums it up. I have been an Ambien user for the past few years. As much as I hate to admit it, I found myself abusing the medication. Even worse yet, I was sleepwalking and sleep cooking almost every night with huge holes in my memory. I asked my doctor for a sample of Lunesta yesterday. He gave me the 3 mg right from the start. The nasty taste hit my mouth within the first 15 minutes of taking it. I woke up twice during the night due to an alarm on my dryer, but was able to fall right back to sleep. I did wake up with a horrible headache. Not sure if it was from the Lunesta or not. I will try again tonight and see what happens. I too would give this medication a 10 if it were not for the nasty taste."

• Ken...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 11, 2018

For Insomnia "I've been off and on Lunesta for about 7 years, tried about 5 other prescribed sleep meds and all kinds of natural and OTC meds. Lunesta remains supreme! It does lose effectiveness quickly, worse than any other in my experience, this is why I keep trying others. After a month or 2, I'm forced to alternate off. It does leave an odd taste in your mouth, but somehow the taste tends to help relax me. If you take this within 3 hours of eating, don't bother, it's not designed to metabolize with food and it won't help you! Take on an empty stomach, and it goes to work quickly. I love Lunesta!"

• sle...
• September 27, 2013

For Insomnia "This is the only medicine that has really helped me. Love it, but so expensive, and insurance won't pay. Luckily, my Dr. gives samples to tide me over until I can afford it. Bad taste is worth the restful sleep."

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

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."

• Anonymous
• July 7, 2008

For Insomnia "I've been on Lunesta for about 7 months, and it's made a huge difference. I can actually sleep. The taste hasn't bothered me as much as it seems to bother some people. I take it and then read for a while, and often the next day I can't remember what I read, but now that I'm used to it, that doesn't bother me either. My doctor said it's not safe to take it for an extended period of time and tried to switch me to Rozerem, but that didn't work at all, and I insisted on the Lunesta."

• spi...
• April 9, 2008

For Insomnia "I just wanted to say that I have been on Lunesta for over 2 years. Works like a charm, exactly as advertised. For me, anyway. As far as the taste goes, no longer bothersome for me. Someone told me ginger works great for taking the taste away, give it a whirl if that is all you hate about it. I love it, saved my life."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2018

For Insomnia "Lunesta wasn't for me! My mouth tasted like the national mint! It was terrible. Literally like I put a roll of quarters in my mouth and started sucking away. Don't even get me started on how long it lasted. If I drank anything, it made it 10 times worse. That terrible taste was in my mouth for 20+ hours. One pill was enough for me. I'm willing to not sleep if sleep tastes like Lunesta."

• Alm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 20, 2016

For Insomnia "Horrible aftertaste that lasts at least 8 hours. The taste comes about 5 minutes after I take it, and that's when I know it's working. Otherwise, I can't tell like I could taking another popular sleeping medicine. It's increased my depression and anxiety. I'm getting put back on my previous medication in three days due to the horrible aftertaste. It's chemical tasting. Nasty."

• san...
• October 24, 2007

For Insomnia "I have been taking Lunesta for about a month now. So far, it has helped with my insomnia. I get tired within 15 to 20 minutes of taking the pill. However, I've noticed a definite weight gain since I've been taking Lunesta. Also, the medication makes me very swollen and leaves a bad taste in my mouth. If it weren't for the weight gain and swelling, this drug is one of the better treatments I've tried for insomnia."