If you are dealing with insomnia, and finding the best medications to treat insomnia. More than 80% of people are suffering from sleeping disorders such as trouble falling asleep and staying asleep. Due to lack of sleep patients are feeling sleepy, tired, or face difficulty in all activities. Restoril and Lunesta are the best medications to relieve insomnia. Both medications belong to a class of drugs called sedative-hypnotics. This blog gives you complete information on both drugs and a Restoril vs Lunesta comparison that will help people choose the best one to treat sleeping problems according to their health condition.
Brief Overview of Restoril Drug
Restoril is a branded drug that is used in treating the symptoms of insomnia in people. It contains an active ingredient which is known as Temazepam Hydrochloride. People can take this medication drug with or without food.
Some inactive ingredients of this medicine are gelatin, shellac glaze, n-butyl alcohol, lactose, FD&C Red #3, red iron oxide SD-35A alcohol, and so on. It is a Schedule III drug.
Brief Overview of Lunesta Drug
Lunesta is a medication drug that is used to treat insomnia problems in individuals. The active ingredient of this branded drug is Eszopiclone Hydrochloride. It also contains some inactive ingredients such as croscarmellose sodium, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide, calcium phosphate, magnesium stearate, etc. This drug is classified as a Schedule III drug.
Comparison Between Restoril vs Lunesta Drugs
Below are the seven comparisons between Restoril and Lunesta drugs. These are as follows:
Functions and Half-life
The functions and half-lives of both medicines are different. Read the following:
Restoril
The function of Restoril medicine is to produce a calming effect by acting as a GABA neurotransmitter in an individual’s brain. This provides a better sleep for him or her at night. The half-life of Restoril medicine is 16 hours when an individual takes this drug for the treatment of insomnia.
Lunesta
Lunesta medicine acts as a Gamma AminoButyric Acid (GABA) receptor in the Central Nervous System (CNS), which helps in decreasing sleeping problems (insomnia) in people. This drug has a half-life of 6 hours when this medication drug is taken by people who suffer from insomnia condition.
Dosages Both Drugs: Restoril vs Lunesta
Both drugs have different forms and strengths of dosages. Read the following dosage forms and strengths:
Restoril
The Restoril drug is in the form of an oral capsule. It is used by adults and older adults only. The most common dosage strengths of this medication drug are-
- Restoril 7.5 mg
- Restoril 15 mg
- Restoril 30 mg
Adults who suffer from insomnia condition can take the usual dosage strength of 15 mg. A 7.5 mg or 30 mg is to be taken by some adult patients 30 minutes before bedtime.
Lunesta
The form of Lunesta drug is an oral tablet that can be taken by adults and older adults for the treatment of insomnia condition. The oral tablet has dosage strengths as follows-
Both adults and older adults take 1 mg oral tablet when suffering from insomnia problems. Doctors increase their dosage strengths when a dose of 1 mg is not able to treat the symptoms of insomnia condition. The maximum dosage strength that can be taken by adults and older adults is 3 mg and 2 mg, respectively in 24 hours.
Color and shape
Both medication drugs have different colors and shapes. Read the following colors and shapes of these medication drugs:
- Restoril medicine is pink, maroon, red, turquoise, and blue. This medication drug is oblong.
- The colors of the Lunesta drug are blue and white with a rounded shape.
Potency
Both Restoril and Lunesta drugs have a low potential to treat insomnia problem that occurs in individuals.
Drug Interactions: Restoril vs Lunesta
Both sleeping pills interact with different medicinal drugs. Read the following drug interactions of Restoril and Lunesta medicines:
Restoril
The Restoril drug interacts with different medicinal drugs. Some of them are Aminophylline, Asenapine, Cannabis, Cenobamate, Divalproex sodium, Ethchlorvynol, Fluphenazine, Fosinopril, Orphenadrine, Perphenazine etc.
Lunesta
Various medicinal drugs interact with Lunesta medicine are Aminoglutethimide, Bosentan, Apraclonidine Ophthalmic, Cenobamate, Cobicistat, Dexmedetomide, Ketoconazole, Sulfinpyrazone, Thiethylperazine and so on.
Side Effects of Both Drugs (Restoril vs Lunesta)
When a person takes an overdose of Restoril or Lunesta medicine or when these drugs are not used by an individual properly. Below are the following side effects of these medication drugs:
Restoril
The side effects of Restoril drug are as follows:
- Appetite or weight loss
- Chest pain or tightness in the chest
- Behavioral or mood change
- Seizures (head injuries)
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Dizziness, light-headedness or fainting
- Breathing problem
- Sweating
- Fear or nervousness
- Swelling in throat, hands, legs, feet, tongue, lips and eyelids
- Diarrhea
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Backache
- Dysphagia
- Fatigue
- Overstimulation
- Constipation
- Tiredness or weakness in muscle
- Nightmares
- Trouble in speaking
- Euphoria
Lunesta
Lunesta causes different side effects in individuals. These are the following:
- Heartburn
- Belching
- Neuralgia
- Dysosmia
- Upset stomach (Indigestion)
- Difficulty in sleeping
- Nerve pain
- Chills
- Hallucinations
- Hoarseness
- Difficulty in concentration
- Cough
- Fever
- Dysphoria
- Lower back pain
- Jaundice (yellow eyes or skin)
- Sore throat
- Stomach pain
- Skin rashes, itching, hives, or welts
- Abdominal pain
- Dryness in mouth or skin
- Dyspepsia
- Leg cramps
Precautions of Restoril and Lunesta Medications
- A person should not take Restoril or Lunesta drugs when he or she can use other medicinal drugs for the treatment of insomnia problems.
- Avoid driving a vehicle or performing any other tasks after taking any of these medicines since these medication drugs can cause drowsiness which becomes dangerous at the time of driving.
- Children are not suggested to take any of these medication drugs. A child’s parent or guardian can contact the relevant doctor when suffering from insomnia problems.
- An individual must not drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes after taking Restoril or Lunesta drugs. Alcohol consumption or smoking becomes harmful for him or her.
- Grapefruit juice will delay the effect of any of these branded medication drugs. Therefore, an individual should not drink this juice after taking Restoril or Lunesta medicine.
- A person must consult with a doctor before taking any of these medication drugs.
- Restoril or Lunesta drug must be stored at room temperature. Do not place these medicines in the bathroom or refrigerator.
- Avoid taking any of these medicines when suffering from allergies, asthma, breathing problems, chest pain, etc. Consult with a doctor if an individual suffers from these problems.
- A person should have more than one tablet or capsule of Restoril or Lunesta medicine. Taking the overdose of these drugs can be harmful to an individual’s health.
- Avoid sharing any of these medicines with other individuals. It is a misuse of Restoril or Lunesta drug if a person is sharing any of these medication drugs.
Conclusion
At last, we found that both medications work similarly. But if you are finding out which medications work in the best way. So, consult with your doctor before taking these medications. if you are facing withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, depression, heartburn, headache, or other symptoms, contact your doctor immediately.
