Lunesta Detox: Withdrawal Timeline And Symptoms

Lunesta, the brand name for eszopiclone, is prescribed to treat sleep disorders, including insomnia. Medical professionals usually only prescribe Lunesta for two weeks or less, due to the potential risk of dependence and addiction. While z-drugs, like Lunesta, seem to be less addictive than other sedative-hypnotics (benzodiazepines), that does not mean they are completely safe.

Lunesta can be addictive, and some individuals have developed a dependence on Lunesta even when the prescription sleep aid is taken as prescribed. Lunesta detox may be needed if a person is addicted to Lunesta, has a Lunesta chemical dependency, or who is experiencing withdrawal symptoms when stopping use of Lunesta.

Find out more about sleeping pill detox programs

Lunesta Detox: Who Needs It?

Short-term Lunesta use can lead to developing tolerance and dependence. According to prescription recommendations, a person should never exceed 3 mg of Lunesta before going to sleep each night. Even at those low doses, a person can experience Lunesta dependence in less than two weeks. Abusing Lunesta at higher doses or for longer than a two-week period increases risk for developing an addiction.

A person who wants to stop taking Lunesta should seek the advice of medical professionals to determine if they may need to detox from the medication. Utilizing a detoxification program can help ease symptoms of withdrawal from the prescription sleep aid, Lunesta.

Learn more about becoming dependent on Lunesta

Lunesta Detox Symptoms

Detoxification from Lunesta, or ridding your body of the medication, can lead to some effects, known as withdrawal symptoms. The withdrawal symptoms from Lunesta can range from inconvenient to uncomfortable.

A person detoxing from Lunesta may experience:

• vomiting
• nausea
• cramping
• irritability
• mood swings
• anxiety
• sweating
• uncontrolled crying
• trouble sleeping
• high blood pressure
• panic attacks
• tremors
• insomnia

Some Lunesta withdrawal symptoms are more severe, such as body temperature changes, suicidal thoughts, tachycardia (increased heart rate), psychosis, and seizures.

Timeline Of Lunesta Detox

Since Lunesta is a sedative-hypnotic, the detox timeline for it resembles the timeline for benzodiazepine and other z-drugs. Withdrawal symptoms usually begin within 72 hours and last for a couple weeks. In some cases, the timeline may be affected by different personal factors.

Lunesta Detox By Day:

• 1-3: Withdrawal symptoms begin to emerge, including emotional, physical, and psychological.
• 4-7: Over the next three or four days, Lunesta withdrawal symptoms intensify.
• 7-14: The physical symptoms of Lunesta withdrawal wear off over the next week. At the end of the second week, they should be almost over. Most emotional and psychological withdrawal symptoms have tapered off as well.
• 15+: Long-term Lunesta use, or abusing high doses of Lunesta, can result in a person experiencing emotional and psychological withdrawal symptoms for up to several months.

Factors That Alter The Drug Withdrawal Timeline

Often, medical professionals encourage a tapering process to minimize the intensity and the side effects of Lunesta withdrawal.

There are a variety of factors that may alter the withdrawal timeline for Lunesta, including:

• history of addiction or substance abuse
• amount of Lunesta usually taken
• using drugs with Lunesta
• taking Lunesta for a long time

Tapering is a lowering of the amount of Lunesta a person takes over a long period of time. When a person stops taking Lunesta completely, the tapering method helps lower the intensity of the withdrawal symptoms.

Lunesta Detoxification Methods

Substance abuse treatment specialists recommend a detoxification program for anyone who is dependent on or addicted to prescription sleep aids. People may attempt to detox at home, or with the help of healthcare professionals. Addiction specialists encourage individuals to seek assistance when they are entering recovery.

Lunesta Home Detox

Remaining at home while detoxing from Lunesta should still be supervised by medical professionals. A tapering method and detailed treatment plan should be put in place with the guidance of an addiction treatment specialist or healthcare provider. Those who have struggled with substance use or have been on Lunesta for a long period of time should not attempt to quit taking Lunesta at home.

Outpatient Detox

Attending an outpatient detox clinic can offer withdrawal symptom management with regular check-ups and a complete treatment plan. Additionally, medications and supplements are often available, as well as individual therapy and support meetings.

Medically Supervised Detox

Inpatient detox offers 24-hour supervision by medical staff that can provide medication as-needed to ease the symptoms of withdrawal associated with Lunesta detox. In this supportive environment, the importance of continuing on to a substance abuse treatment program can be explained, and a plan can be put in place. Inpatient medically supervised detox programs are usually about a week long.

Medications Used During Lunesta Detox

Medical professionals may use various medications during Lunesta detox to help manage withdrawal symptoms and make the process safer and more comfortable. Common medications include other sedatives administered in controlled, tapering doses to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms like seizures, as well as anti-anxiety medications to help manage panic attacks and extreme anxiety.

Doctors may also prescribe medications to address specific symptoms as they arise, including treatments for nausea, blood pressure medications to manage cardiovascular symptoms, and non-addictive sleep aids to help with rebound insomnia. The specific medications used depend on the severity of withdrawal symptoms, the person’s medical history, and any co-occurring mental health conditions.

Potential Risks And Side Effects Of Lunesta Detox

You should not try to detox off Lunesta if you believe you are dependent on or addicted to the sleep aid.

Mental Health Effects

Below are some of the serious mental health issues that people may have when detoxing from Lunesta.

Stopping Lunesta can result in problems with mental and emotional stability, such as:

• panic attacks
• extreme anxiety
• suicidal ideation
• memory loss
• accidents
• reckless behavior
• paranoia
• depression

It’s important to talk to a mental health professional if any of the above mental health issues arise while detoxing.

Rebound Insomnia

Sleeping pills are prescribed to help with insomnia and other sleep disorders. When a person stops taking these medications, the original symptoms can emerge. Healthcare providers can work with individuals to help find a solution to alleviate rebound insomnia.

Seizures

Seizures are dangerous and can be fatal. They are a real risk associated with Lunesta detox. Generally, the higher the dose of Lunesta, the higher the seizure risk with Lunesta detox. The 24-hour care at a medically supervised detoxification center can monitor a person believed to be at high risk for seizures and administer medication as needed.

Relapse

Sometimes, the symptoms of withdrawal become overwhelming to the person experiencing them, and they may relapse (return to drug abuse) to get rid of them. At a supervised detox clinic, a person can receive medications and supplements to help manage withdrawal symptoms, reducing the risk of relapse.

Finding Help With Detoxing From Lunesta

People can take Lunesta as prescribed and still end up dependent on the prescription sleep aid. Individuals who become dependent on a substance are at higher risk of developing an addiction. Detoxification and substance use treatment options are available if you have a Lunesta drug addiction or chemical dependency.

Browse our directory or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for more information about addiction recovery.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff