Lunesta vs. Rozerem

• Are Lunesta and Rozerem the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Lunesta?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Rozerem?
• What Is Lunesta?
• What Is Rozerem?
• What Drugs Interact with Lunesta?
• What Drugs Interact with Rozerem?
• How Should Lunesta Be Taken?
• How Should Rozerem Be Taken?

Lunesta (eszopiclone) and Rozerem (ramelteon) are sedative hypnotics used to treat insomnia.

Unlike some other sleep medications, Rozerem is not known to be habit-forming.

Common side effects of Lunesta include:

• dizziness,
• tiredness,
• daytime drowsiness (or during hours when you are not normally sleeping),
• loss of coordination,
• headache,
• depression,
• memory problems,
• numbness or tingly feeling,
• nervousness,
• excitability,
• irritability,
• changes in menstrual periods,
• itching,
• increased or decreased interest in sex, or
• blurred vision.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Lunesta including:

• memory loss, or
• mental/mood/behavior changes (such as new or worsening depression, abnormal thoughts, thoughts of suicide, hallucinations, confusion, agitation, aggressive behavior, or anxiety).

Rarely, after taking Lunesta, people have gotten out of bed and driven vehicles while not fully awake ("sleep-driving"). People have also sleepwalked, prepared/eaten food, made phone calls, or had sex while not fully awake. Often, these people do not remember these events. This problem can be dangerous to you or to others. If you find out that you have done any of these activities after taking Lunesta, tell your doctor right away.

Common side effects of Rozerem include:

• dizziness,
• tiredness,
• daytime drowsiness,
• nausea, or
• worsening sleep problems.

Tell your doctor if you have unlikely but serious side effects of Rozerem including:

• decreased sexual desire,
• missed menstrual periods,
• nipple discharge, or
• difficulty becoming pregnant.

Lunesta (eszopiclone) is a sedative hypnotic used to treat insomnia.

Rozerem (ramelteon) is a hypnotic type sedative used to treat insomnia that is associated with having trouble falling asleep. Unlike some other sleep medications, Rozerem is not known to be habit-forming.

Lunesta may interact with alcohol, other medicines that make you sleepy or slow your breathing (such as cold medicines, pain medications, muscle relaxants, and medicines for depression, anxiety, or seizures), ketoconazole, rifampin, or antidepressants.

Rozerem may interact with rifampin, or antifungal medications.

Rozerem may also interact with primaquine, thabendazole, antibiotics, or heart rhythm medications.

The recommended starting dose of Lunesta is 1 mg, taken with a full glass of water. Avoid taking Lunesta within 1 hour after eating a high-fat or heavy meal, because this will make it harder for your body to absorb the medication.

The recommended dose of Rozerem is 8 mg taken within 30 minutes of going to bed.