[sunnydisposition]

Thinking about switching from seroquel to lunesta. Any information you can share about Lunesta's efficacy and side effects would help me very much. I'm particularly curious about the possible side effect "dry mouth". See i love running and dry mouth can prevent me from going the distance.

[TicTacGo]

In terms of effect, Lunesta would produce the best sedative effects for falling asleep, similar to Ambien (zolpidem) and Sonata (zoleplon)
These are non-benzodiazepines, but still stand the chance of causing dependence and possibly tolerance over a longer period of time. In my experience, I felt that after a relatively short period, the effects began to be less clear. (This may not happen to everyone)
In terms of dry mouth, yes, this symptom may, and does arise often. Treatments include oral rinse, drinking lots of water, or possibly changing dose or medication all together.

In terms of Seroquel- in low doses the paradoxical 'sedating' effect arises due to that low dose widely affecting the histamine receptors, causing one to feel drowsy. As the dose increases, this effect also decreases.

Comparison of effect- Lunesta would be a better drug in the short term, giving definitive sedation to help one fall asleep, and only staying in the system for a few hours, allowing one to not be sleepy in the morning. This can help for initial treatment, or when you feel that your insomnia is exceptionally bad (some nights a week)
Seroquel 25 mg is often what is used, and this does not produce the tolerance or dependence that Lunesta may cause, and is therefore safer for use over months or years.

[still_crazy]

I'd take lunesta over seroquel, personally. Sedatives over the long haul aren't the best idea, in general. There was a meta-analysis a couple years ago that found higher rates of cancer for people who routinely use sedatives of any sort, so...that's a problem, clearly.

Different people respond to the z hypnotics, and other psych drugs, differently. Some take them nightly for years, no problem. Some find that they stop working rather quickly. There are case reports of dosage escalation and other signs of addiction with the z hypnotics, but I don't think its as big an issue as with the benzodiazepines. Tapering can be rough for some people, but a lot of people can do fairly rapid tapers without major problems.

Sedative use can cause or worsen depression over the long haul. So can long term benzodiazepine use, whether its a daytime tranquilizer or a night time sedative.

I hope you can find something that helps.

[neverending]

Actually, at night, I take seroquel, ambien and ativan. None of it is an either/or situation. My dosages don't increase over time either, unless I m hypomanic. But in general they remain the same.