Introduction
If you’ve been prescribed Lunesta for insomnia or are considering this medication, you might wonder about its legal classification. Lunesta, known generically as eszopiclone, is a prescription sleep medication used to treat insomnia—specifically helping people fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.
Yes, Lunesta is considered a controlled substance in the United States. This classification exists because Lunesta has recognized potential for abuse, misuse, and dependence. Understanding what “controlled substance” means and why Lunesta falls into this category can help you use this medication safely.
A controlled substance is a drug whose manufacture, possession, and use are regulated by the government due to its potential for abuse or addiction [1]. The controlled substance status applies to eszopiclone, the generic form of Lunesta.
Quick Answer: What Schedule Is Lunesta (Eszopiclone)?
Lunesta’s DEA Schedule
Lunesta (eszopiclone) is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act [2]. This classification is designated by both the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Is Eszopiclone a Controlled Substance?
Yes, eszopiclone is a controlled substance. The generic form has the same Schedule IV status as brand-name Lunesta. Whether you’re prescribed the brand or generic version, the legal classification, regulatory requirements, and abuse potential are identical.
What Schedule IV Means for You
Schedule IV designation indicates that Lunesta has accepted medical use in treatment but also has recognized potential for abuse and dependence. While this risk is lower than Schedule II or III substances (like opioids or certain stimulants), it’s not negligible [1]. Your prescription will be monitored more closely than non-controlled medications, refills are limited, and healthcare providers must follow specific prescribing rules.
What Is Lunesta (Eszopiclone) and How Does It Work?
Lunesta belongs to a class of medications called non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotics, often referred to as “Z-drugs.” Despite the “non-benzodiazepine” label, Lunesta works similarly to benzodiazepines by enhancing the activity of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation and sleep. This slows down brain activity, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep [3].
Lunesta is FDA-approved for the short-term treatment of insomnia. It helps with difficulty falling asleep and difficulty staying asleep. The medication is typically intended for short-term or intermittent use rather than indefinite daily dosing [4].
Lunesta and similar sleep medications are controlled substances because of several identified risks including complex sleep behaviors (sleepwalking, sleep-driving), next-day impairment affecting driving and work performance, potential for abuse and recreational use, risk of physical and psychological dependence, and dangerous interactions with alcohol and other sedatives.
Is Lunesta Habit-Forming?
Abuse and Dependence Potential
Yes, Lunesta can be habit-forming. It has recognized potential for misuse, abuse, and physical dependence—which is precisely why it’s classified as a controlled substance. While many people use Lunesta as prescribed without developing problems, the risk exists, particularly with long-term use, higher doses, or in individuals with personal or family history of substance use disorders.
Tolerance and Rebound Insomnia
Long-term or high-dose use of Lunesta can lead to tolerance, meaning you need progressively higher doses to achieve the same sleep benefits. When you try to reduce your dose or stop taking Lunesta, rebound insomnia often occurs—your sleep problems return, sometimes worse than before treatment. This rebound effect [4] can make it feel impossible to sleep without the medication.
Signs Lunesta Use May Be Becoming Problematic
Warning signs include taking higher doses than prescribed, using Lunesta to “feel high” or relax during the day rather than strictly for sleep, experiencing cravings or anxiety about running out of medication, visiting multiple doctors to obtain additional prescriptions, running out of medication early, and feeling unable to sleep without taking Lunesta [5].
Does Lunesta Require Strict Prescription Control?
Lunesta can only be prescribed by licensed medical providers—you cannot obtain it over-the-counter. As a Schedule IV medication, federal law typically allows prescriptions with up to five refills within six months from the date issued. After that period, you need a new prescription.
Many states require prescribers and pharmacies to report controlled substance prescriptions to Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs), databases that track who is prescribing and receiving controlled medications. Pharmacies are not only required to keep precise records but also to physically secure all pharmaceuticals, perform audits by verifying their medication inventory, and report to the government any differences between what they have on hand and what they believe they should have.
For patients, this means you may need to show your government-issued identification when you pick up your prescription. Many providers and pharmacies prefer that their patients use a single pharmacy to fill prescriptions for controlled substances. Patients are also limited in how many days they must wait before refilling their prescriptions. They must keep Lunesta secure and never share it with others, as doing so is illegal.
Safe Use of Lunesta: Minimizing Risk of Dependence
Lunesta is meant to be taken intermittently or on a short-term basis, depending on your individual needs. However, if you need to take Lunesta regularly for more than a couple of weeks, consult your healthcare provider to see whether continued use is recommended. Do not increase your dose unless specifically ordered by your doctor. You should not mix alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, or any other central nervous system depressants (medication that slows activity in the brain and spinal cord), like sleep medicines, with Lunesta. Using them together puts you at a very high risk for serious sedation, respiratory distress (severe difficulty breathing that prevents the body from getting enough oxygen), or overdose [3].
You should wait at least 8 hours after taking Lunesta before driving or engaging in activities that require mental clarity. Do not stop taking Lunesta suddenly without consulting your healthcare provider, as this can have a rebound effect (returning to your previous insomnia or feelings of anxiety) or the development of other withdrawal symptoms. If you have been taking Lunesta for multiple weeks, it is best to taper the medication gradually under a doctor’s care.
Tapering Off Lunesta and Alternatives for Sleep
Your prescriber should help create a tapering plan that may last anywhere from several days to several weeks, depending on what is best for your individual needs. Be sure to keep track of any withdrawal-like symptoms or rebound insomnia, and share with your prescriber any problems you are having.
The best first-line approach to treating chronic insomnia is through cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I, a form of talk therapy that focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors around sleep), which may be more beneficial over an extended period than sleeping pills or other medications [6]. Improving sleep hygiene (practices and habits that promote healthy, restful sleep) by creating a dark, cool, calm environment for sleep, avoiding electronic screens before bed, and using relaxation techniques can all contribute to a longer and more restful night’s sleep. Also, it may be helpful to address any mental health concerns or other medical conditions that affect sleeping habits and work on improving the management of these issues [7].
Who Is at Higher Risk of Lunesta Misuse or Addiction?
Individuals with a history of alcohol or substance use disorder or a family history of addiction disorder have significantly greater odds of developing a problematic pattern of Lunesta use. Other people who may be at risk for Lunesta addiction include those who have been diagnosed with any form of major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or any other psychiatric disorders [4].
Red flags indicating a pattern of problematic Lunesta use include taking Lunesta in the daytime, mixing Lunesta with alcohol or other recreational drugs, obtaining prescriptions for Lunesta from multiple doctors, consistently finishing a refill before the end of the prescription, taking Lunesta for reasons other than getting sleep, and anxiety when a Lunesta supply runs low [5].
When to Seek Help and How Treatment Can Support You
If you notice concerning signs in relation to your Lunesta use, such as having trouble controlling your dose, continuous cravings, visiting multiple doctors or healthcare professionals to acquire more Lunesta, or not being able to sleep without taking the drug, professional help is available.
Needing help does not mean you have failed; it just means you need help. The Freedom Center understands that it is possible to become dependent on prescription drugs like Lunesta, despite trying to comply with the prescribed doses as directed by their physician.
At the Freedom Center in Buckeystown or Gaithersburg, Maryland, our highly skilled and compassionate staff is available to provide various forms of inpatient and outpatient care for those struggling with Lunesta dependence. Our comprehensive treatment includes medically supervised tapering, as well as cognitive behavioral therapy that addresses underlying causes of insomnia and anxiety, in addition to providing patient education on developing healthy sleep habits.
No matter what issue you are struggling with related to your use of Lunesta, whether it is insomnia, Lunesta dependency, or other forms of substance use, you can get help at the Freedom Center. Recovery is possible, and so are better sleep habits; it simply takes one brave step to start your journey.
