Lunesta CR is a medication that provides a steady release of a drug designed to help patients fall asleep. This pharmaceutical is formulated to wear off quickly, which helps minimize the side effects that patients experience the day after taking the medication. Although there are many inactive ingredients in Lunesta CR pills, there is only one active ingredient.
Eszopiclone
The active ingredient in Lunesta CR, according to RxList, is eszopiclone. Eszopiclone is a solid that comes in crystal form and is yellow-white in color. Small amounts of it can dissolve in both water and ethanol, and it dissolves well in solutions that are somewhat acidic. This makes it useful for oral intake as it can be dissolved in the acidic contents of the stomach. Eszopiclone belongs to a class of drugs known as non-benzodiazepine hypnotics. This means that they work to slow mental activity, but they are not a type of benzodiazepine, which is another commonly used class of hypnotic medications. In terms of its chemical structure, this medication is known as a cyclopyrrolone, a term chemists use to describe the molecules in this particular medication. Eszopiclone works by activating portions of the brain that are responsible for releasing chemicals, which inhibit neuron activity. By increasing the amount of these inhibitory chemicals, eszopiclone in effect slows activity in the brain, making sleep easier.
Uses
Eszopiclone is most commonly used for the treatment of insomnia, PubMed Health explains. By slowing down activity in the brain, eszopiclone makes it easier for patients to fall asleep. It is to be taken once per day, either at bedtime or after attempting unsuccessfully to fall asleep. Lunesta CR typically takes effect within a short time of being taken, so it should only be used when the patient is prepared to sleep for an extended period of time. The CR formulation is designed to gradually release eszopiclone, resulting in low doses of the medication being released into the bloodstream over the course of several hours. This means that patients taking this medication should prepare to sleep for at least eight hours to ensure that the medication has worn off and they experience no adverse effects.
Side Effects
Although eszipiclone is generally safe when taken as recommended, there are a number of side effects associated with its use. The morning after Lunesta CR is taken, patients may feel drowsy, dizzy or feel hung over, Drugs.com explains. Dry mouth, unusual taste sensations, nausea, stomach pain, appetite loss and constipation are also common after taking eszopiclone. Patients may also experience some changes to their moods. These mild changes can include anxiety, depression and nervousness. More severe emotional side effects include agitation and aggression, as well as sudden changes in behavior. Patients may also have thoughts of hurting themselves, or hallucinate.
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