Eszopiclone and Anxiety: What Users Say

• luk...
• April 6, 2012

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "I have insomnia worse than most people. I'm 21, I compete in bodybuilding, and I'm in great shape. I never get tired. If I get 3 hours of sleep a night, I can still function fine the next day. But it shot me into horrible anxiety and depression from lack of sleep. I've tried all the sleeping medicines. There's no doubt Ambien will knock you out, but I always wake up 4 hours later. I just started taking Lunesta because I was so desperate to get sleep. Lunesta, the first night, helped me sleep 8 hours. The second night, 'last night,' it took about an hour to come into effect, but I definitely slept 9 hours. No bad taste. I feel amazing. It definitely works all night. If you need a full night's sleep, please try it."

• e-t...
• August 11, 2016

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "Three nights in a row, with no benefit whatsoever. It's as if I'd taken a placebo-laid in bed for over two hours with no drowsiness at all. By the third night, I was angry and anxiety-filled (not sure if it was a side effect or if I was just fed up with trying something that didn't work)."

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

Eszopiclone 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..."

• Tip...
• February 18, 2016

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "I've had sleep issues my whole life and had just sort of dealt with it. I finally spoke with a doctor about it and was prescribed Lunesta. Over a couple of weeks, taking it about three nights a week, I was sleeping better for the most part. Then, my emotions started going haywire. I was quick to anger and feeling paranoid. I was convinced my wife was having an affair (she wasn't) and had multiple outbursts. I have never been on any sort of medication for a period of time, so I didn't think to blame the Lunesta. I stopped taking it, and the crazy emotions have stopped."

• No ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2018

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION if you are depressed or, more importantly, anxious! It will make your daytime anxiety and depression much worse. Don’t even start them and just ride through the night in pain. It’s not worth it."

• Exh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 7, 2021

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "Doctor put me on 2 mg Lunesta. I have severe anxiety before bed due to nightmares plus the insomnia that goes with PTSD. While it made me drowsy enough to fall asleep within an hour, staying asleep is another story. The first night I took it, I woke up at 4 AM, sleep wasn’t terrible. But last night, my second time taking it, I woke up at 1 AM with extreme anxiety and honestly thought I was going to have to admit myself into a hospital due to the panic attack and suicidal thoughts. I never went back to sleep all night and had to miss work the following day. I will never take this stuff again. IF YOU HAVE A MENTAL ILLNESS, STAY AWAY FROM THIS."

• Por...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2019

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "Was on 22.5 mg Remeron. Went to sleep study consult, and the neurologist stopped the Remeron, which wasn't working, and prescribed Lunesta 2 mg at bedtime. First night I was exhausted. I slept okay. Next night took it at 7 PM. Dozed off quickly but woke up at 10:38 with anxiety. I laid awake the rest of the night. Next day... same thing. Just can't sleep with this drug."

• sle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 21, 2015

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "Lunesta is helpful because it promotes a gentle rest state. I had changed from Ambien, which at times caused me to be cranky and jumpy. Lunesta will take some time in the evening to work, but I found some good sleep with this. Make sure you are monitored by your MD. Keep meds away from children and pets. If Lunesta is used responsibly, it can be a good med for bad insomnia."

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

Eszopiclone 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."

• Hiy...
• July 8, 2010

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "This drug worked wonders for me! I had terrible insomnia and was averaging only a few hours of sleep a night. I started taking 2 mg of Lunesta a year ago. It helped me with anxiety and allowed me to get 8 hours of sleep a night. I have always been afraid of forming a dependency on sleep aids, so after one year of using Lunesta, I weaned myself off, just to put my mind to ease. It was very easy to do! I cut my pill in half for a few weeks, then stopped taking it. No withdrawal symptoms. I then decided to keep taking 1 mg, but it's comforting for me to know that I'm not dependent on it. Taking this drug was the best decision I ever made. If I swallow it immediately with water, I don't get a bad taste."

• Ver...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2016

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "Tried 3 milligrams of Lunesta, did not work at all to help me sleep. But right now I am suffering from extreme anxiety and depression, and have other health issues and a ton of stuff on my mind. I also just tried Ambien ER last night, and it did not work either. In the past couple of years ago, I did take Ambien, and it worked to make me sleep, but after taking 4 a week or so, it made my anxiety and depression worse. Be careful if you suffer from depression, taking this medication is what I found out. I only recently tried to take sleeping pills again out of desperation, as I have developed some bad stomach problems and possibly my pancreatitis flaring up, and have been off of work for 2 months on workman's comp, worried about losing my house and my health."

• gat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 4, 2024

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "I started taking eszopiclone in December of 2022 when my husband had a sudden health trauma and was hospitalized and then had to go to rehab. It was a very stressful time and I was unable to sleep from the get-go. The doctor tried hydroxyzine and trazodone, and those both made me feel tired and zombie-like. I tried clonidine and it made me feel tired the next day. I take 1 to 2 mg as needed at night of Lunesta. As long as I get at least 7 hours of sleep, I seem to function just fine the next day. I have had three 30-day prescriptions over a year and a half period since I started it, so I have had no trouble with addiction or having to up my dose. I take it as needed and have really needed to be on something for sleep as needed for years since I have bipolar II. Occasionally I notice a little bit of anxiety in the afternoon the day after I take the medication, but if it happens it quickly passes. Has mild antidepressant effect at 2mg. Studies back this for perimenopausal women like me."

• jpr...
• August 30, 2013

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "Used it for one night, had nightmares all night, restless, tense, weird taste in my mouth. Yikes. Longer story: Used Ambien for almost a year, then needed something to last all night. Had to try Lunesta before insurance would cover Ambien CR. Tried it for one night, and it really was that bad. I was so happy to see it was time to wake up in the morning, so it would stop."

• Cam...
• July 10, 2017

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "I gave this product 3 stars only because I have a high tolerance, even though I am a tiny woman, so my experience may not be the norm. That being said, I had been using Ambien for my insomnia for quite a few months, and it was starting to take hours before it would put me to sleep. My Dr. recommended we switch it up to see if another product worked better. I took Lunesta for only two nights before I knew it was not for me. Not only did it keep me awake, but it made my heart race and heightened my already bad anxiety. I immediately switched back to Ambien, and I will stay put with that. I'm writing this as I hope this helps someone else like me. Had I read some reviews like this, I would have never switched over."

• Mar...
• July 18, 2020

For Insomnia "I am peri-menopausal and have had a horrible time with anxiety and insomnia. A lack of sleep will make you feel crazy! I had a gene test done that said Lunesta would work well for me. WRONG! It made me fall asleep, but I would either wake up around 3-4 a.m. and couldn’t go back to sleep or have restless sleep with terrible dreams. Unfortunately, it caused these side effects: profuse sweating, neck pain, migraines, heart palpitations, increased anxiety, gastrointestinal issues, and severe nausea and dizziness. Obviously, this is not the medication for me, so back to the drawing board."

• Cha...
• December 28, 2020

For Insomnia "I took the prescription generic 3 mg Lunesta immediately before bedtime, as directed by my physician. It is the alternative to the generic Ambien I've been taking. I've alternated my sleep meds occasionally at my physician's direction. I take this to get me some rest and sleep due to pain-induced insomnia. I toss and turn and move around a lot. Through my bedtime, I had an anxious feeling in the back of my neck, and not only couldn’t fall asleep, but it kept me up with a very uneasy feeling that lasted well into the morning. I drank lots of water, and eventually, the feeling went away. I tried again the next night, thinking this was an off chance of just me. Again, it gave me the same feeling. I have notified my physician and am waiting for advice on how to handle my needs this evening. I'm not comfortable taking this again. Just thought I'd share this."

• Cha...
• December 28, 2020

For Insomnia "I took the prescription generic 3 mg Lunesta immediately before bedtime, as directed by my physician. It is the alternative to the generic Ambien I've been taking. I've alternated my sleep meds occasionally at my physician's direction. I take this to get me some rest and sleep due to pain-induced insomnia. I toss and turn and move around a lot. Through my bedtime, I had an anxious feeling in the back of my neck, and not only couldn’t fall asleep, but it kept me up with a very uneasy feeling that lasted well into the morning. I drank lots of water, and eventually, the feeling went away. I tried again the next night, thinking this was an off chance of just me. Again, it gave me the same feeling. I have notified my physician and am waiting for advice on how to handle my needs this evening. I'm not comfortable taking this again. Just thought I'd share this."

• Gol...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 1, 2021

For Insomnia "I have severe insomnia-tried 1 mg Lunesta, and nothing happened. Actually felt anxious and edgy. Tried 3 times, same results. I’m 71, in good health and take no other drugs. I need help, can’t last much longer on 2-3 hours of sleep a night! Any suggestions?"

• Ins...
• December 3, 2018

For Insomnia "I received a saliva gene test that determined Lunesta would absorb in my system. Well, that was a joke. I would literally lay there for hours completely relaxed with my eyes shut telling myself, it's going to work, it's going to work. Well, the highest dose still didn't do a thing. Dr. arguing with me that it's my Vyvanse. Well, no, because I don't take that on my days off of work. Then I tried it on an empty stomach that didn't work. I had to take Xanax with it. So, I got a couple of hours, but then was wide awake. My anxiety got a lot worse too, but that may be because she switched my antidepressant too."

• Anonymous
• January 1, 2011

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "I tried a free sample of Lunesta for my insomnia for a few days. I felt a lingering bad taste in my mouth. I quit taking it. It was worse than Ambien CR's side effects, which made me anxious and irritable the next morning. I tried Silenor, and I am still taking it. Its side effect is very mild. I just drink Coke to concentrate on my work the next day."

• Hea...
• November 30, 2017

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "I have been dealing with major insomnia for the past 2 months. After trying other sleep meds (which didn't work), I was prescribed 1 mg of Lunesta before bed. It took about an hour to put me to sleep. I got about 5 disturbed hours of sleep. I tossed and turned all night and woke up feeling like I'd had 1 hour of sleep. Then the bad part came: the morning. I woke up super drowsy, had intense anxiety, OCD, tremors, chest and nasal congestion, stomach upset, and shortness of breath. I was also super emotional and cried uncontrollably all day. These symptoms lasted all day. All that for basically no sleep on this pill?! Needless to say, I will never take this pill again! The side effects are worse than anything I've experienced!"

• ret...
• February 21, 2015

For Insomnia "After being on it for 1 week and no improvement, I took another week to slowly get off. Terrible side effects. Panic attacks, chest pain, hands tingling, and severe anxiety. I am now back on them and taking Lorazepam to try to get off without these horrible side effects."

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2019

For Insomnia "I asked my doctor to switch my script from Ambien to Lunesta (generic) because my new insurance doesn't cover Ambien (generic). I have taken it two times with absolutely no effect. I feel very anxious and tired in the morning. Zolpidem (Ambien) puts me to sleep for a few hours at least, and I feel pretty good in the morning. After taking eszopiclone, I would not be able to go to work. Luckily I am retired."

• DDa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 30, 2019

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "Slept two hours, woke up with anxiety and wide awake. This stuff is garbage."

• bet...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2016

Eszopiclone for Insomnia "took Lunesta for 3 weeks, horrible side effects: increased crazy amounts of anxiety, insomnia, weird feelings in my stomach, thought 'I was going off the rails.'"