Lunesta is the brand name for the medication eszopiclone. It is a hypnotic medication, which means that it induces an altered state of consciousness. This makes it effective as a sleeping pill because it can help patients fall asleep without directly sedating them. Because Lunesta has been approved by the FDA for prescription use, it generally does not cause any dangerous side effects. However, it can cause certain adverse effects when used regularly.
Headache
One of the more common side effects of using Lunesta sleeping pills (occurring in more than 1 percent of patients) is the development of a migraine. Some patients also experienced elevated blood pressure.
Neurological Symptoms
Because Lunesta works on the nervous system, Drugs.com notes that it can have a number of effects on the neurological function. It can cause confusion, problems thinking and vertigo. Lunesta can also affect the emotions, making patients more likely to have mood swings. Lunesta can also cause anxiety and neurosis in some patients, as well as apathy and depression in others. It can also cause some patients to have suicidal thoughts or hallucinations. Lunesta can also affect the nervous system's ability to control the muscles, leading to poor coordination, poor reflexes and uncontrollable eye movements (called nyastagmus).
Sensory Effects
Lunesta can also affect the eyes and ears as well as the sense of taste. Lunesta can lead to dry eyes and inflammation of the whites of the eyes (also known as conjunctivitis), as well as sensitivity to light. Lunesta can also cause ear inflammation, which can sometimes lead to a persistent ringing in the ears as well as being unusually sensitive to loud noises. Lunesta also can cause patients to have altered taste, and to have a persistent unusual taste in their mouths.
Musculoskeletal Effects
Lunesta can also cause the muscles and joints to become painful and stiff. According to RxList, Lunesta use can cause arthritis as well as overall joint stiffness, pain and loss of mobility. Lunesta can also lead to muscle weakness as well as cramping of the legs and muscle twitching.
Respiratory Effects
RxList notes that Lunesta can also lead to problems with the respiratory system. It can make already existing asthma worse, as well as cause inflammation of the airway (also known as bronchitis). Sometimes these respiratory problems can make it difficult for patients taking Lunesta to breathe and cause chest pain.
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