Lunesta Withdrawal | Symptoms, Timeline, & Detox

Lunesta withdrawal symptoms may include dizziness, loss of motor control, fatigue, headache, anxiety, and heart palpitations. These symptoms may begin less than a day after the last dose of Lunesta, and persist for about 2 weeks.

Lunesta is the brand name prescription drug for eszopiclone, a non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic drug. It can be used as a sleep aid to treat insomnia and other sleeping problems.

Lunesta also has a potential for substance abuse, which can lead to withdrawal.

While Lunesta withdrawal may not be compared to severe forms of withdrawal by healthcare providers, it can still be difficult to endure a Lunesta withdrawal process.

Treatment centers can offer medical detox programs, mental health services, and qualified assistance to patients struggling with withdrawal.

Lunesta Withdrawal Symptoms

When you stop taking Lunesta after a period of long-term use, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as:

• dizziness
• fatigue
• headache
• mild anxiety
• impairment
• stomach cramps
• strange dreams
• muscle weakness

These withdrawal symptoms can result from a lack of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the neurotransmitter that eszopiclone interacts with.

Severe withdrawal symptoms that are associated with other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, such as rebound insomnia, severe anxiety, and drug cravings, have not been reported in studies of Lunesta withdrawal.

However, Lunesta withdrawal can still reduce a patient’s quality of life.

Lunesta Withdrawal Timeline

Limiting Lunesta to short-term use in treating sleep disorders can reduce the chances of withdrawal. Cases of withdrawal have been observed in patients who took Lunesta for several months.

Withdrawal symptoms of Lunesta may begin after the drug wears off. The half-life of Lunesta can be about 6 hours, which means withdrawal may occur about one day after the last use. Withdrawal symptoms may persist for up to two weeks.

The duration of withdrawal from eszopiclone can depend on the period of time the drug was taken, whether it was taken in high doses, and the patient’s history of substance use disorders.

Data on Lunesta withdrawal is sparse, and more research may be needed before decisive conclusions can be drawn.

Medical Detox For Lunesta Withdrawal

Medical detox, or professionally induced withdrawal, can be a manageable alternative to quitting Lunesta on your own (cold turkey).

While a self-induced detox can be interrupted by triggers and side effects, a medical detox places you in a safe environment with access to healthcare resources.

During detox, medical professionals may decide to decrease your dose of Lunesta gradually over a period of time, instead of all at once. This process is known as tapering, and can reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms you experience.

Detoxification can be a part of a comprehensive addiction treatment program. Addiction treatment options include behavioral therapy, group therapy, and peer support.

Find Treatment Today

To find out if our outpatient CNS depressant abuse treatment services work for you or your loved one, please contact Northeast Addictions Treatment Center today.