Lunesta generic availability, cost, and dosage

In this article:

• Is there a generic for Lunesta?
• What are the differences between generic and brand-name Lunesta?
• How much does generic Lunesta cost?
• Brand vs. generic Lunesta prices
• Is Lunesta covered by insurance?
• How do you get Lunesta covered by insurance?
• How to switch from Lunesta to eszopiclone
• Generic alternatives to Lunesta

In this article

• Is there a generic for Lunesta?
• What are the differences between generic and brand-name Lunesta?
• How much does generic Lunesta cost?
• Brand vs. generic Lunesta prices
• Is Lunesta covered by insurance?
• How do you get Lunesta covered by insurance?
• How to switch from Lunesta to eszopiclone
• Generic alternatives to Lunesta

If you have trouble sleeping, you are in good company, since about 60% of U.S. adults don’t get enough sleep. Lunesta (eszopiclone) is a prescription medicine that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of insomnia in adults. Brand-name drugs like Lunesta can be pricey, but there is a generic for Lunesta that works just as well and can save you a significant amount of money.

Lunesta generic availability
Generic name	Eszopiclone
FDA approval date of generic version	2014
Is there a generic available for sale in the U.S.?	Yes

Is there a generic for Lunesta?

Yes, the good news is that there is a generic for Lunesta, eszopiclone. Brand-name Lunesta, which is made by the pharmaceutical company Waylis Therapeutics, was FDA-approved in 2004. The first eszopiclone generic was approved in April 2014. Now, many companies make generic versions of eszopiclone, which are much more affordable than brand-name Lunesta.

What are the differences between generic and brand-name Lunesta?

Generic drugs may not look exactly the same as their brand-name counterparts, but they are available in the same dosage forms, contain the same active ingredient, and work in the same way. What’s more, generics are much more affordable than their brand-name counterparts, often costing up to 85% less. 

Generic drugs are the same as brand-name drugs in terms of safety and effectiveness. The FDA requires manufacturers of generic drugs to conduct studies to show that their products are bioequivalent to the brand-name drug. This means that the generic drug results in the same blood levels over the same period of time as the brand. 

The Association for Accessible Medicines reports that generic drugs are very popular. In 2025, 90% of prescriptions in the U.S. were filled for generic or biosimilar drugs. 

How much does generic Lunesta cost?

Without insurance, a 30-day supply of 3 mg brand-name Lunesta costs about $1,553. Using a free SingleCare discount can bring the price down to $1,449. 

To maximize your savings, choose generic eszopiclone and use a free SingleCare discount. This can decrease the price to as low as $11 per month, making it far more affordable. You can use the SingleCare coupon on your initial prescription and each refill. 

Brand vs. generic Lunesta prices
Cost details	Brand-name Lunesta	Lunesta generic (eszopiclone)
Average cost without insurance	$1,553 for 30, 3 mg tablets of Lunesta	$336 for 30, 3 mg tablets of generic eszopiclone
SingleCare’s lowest price	$1,449 for 30, 3 mg tablets of Lunesta	$11 for 30, 3 mg tablets of generic eszopiclone at Kroger or Harris Teeter
Free coupons	Lunesta coupons	Eszopiclone coupons

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Feb. 21, 2026. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available.

Is Lunesta covered by insurance?

Some insurance plans cover generic eszopiclone, but coverage details and out-of-pocket costs will vary. Brand-name Lunesta may not be covered, or if it is covered, it may have a higher out-of-pocket cost. You can find out more about your insurance coverage of Lunesta and its generic by contacting your plan directly or checking the most recent formulary (list of covered drugs and their pricing tiers). If you opt for the brand-name product and you have commercial insurance, you can find a Lunesta Copay Savings Card on the manufacturer’s website.  

How do you get Lunesta covered by insurance?

Generic Lunesta (eszopiclone) is widely available, so your insurance plan may cover the generic version. You can ask your healthcare professional to send your prescription to the pharmacy, and the staff can process the claim and tell you if generic Lunesta is covered and what your cost would be. 

If, however, you prefer to fill your prescription with brand-name Lunesta, your healthcare provider may have to note brand-name only (i.e., by indicating “do not substitute”) on the prescription and may also need to submit a prior authorization (PA) to your insurance plan, explaining why you require the brand-name version. Some plans may require you to try the generic first, before paying for the brand. If covered, brand-name Lunesta may have a much higher out-of-pocket cost. 

How to switch from Lunesta to eszopiclone

Since eszopiclone is essentially the same as Lunesta, the transition from brand to generic should be seamless. Most people can switch to generic and start taking the equivalent dose of eszopiclone right away, without any tapering or transition period.

If you currently take brand-name Lunesta and want to switch to generic, ask your pharmacist to check the prescription your healthcare provider sent in or wrote. If your healthcare provider has indicated “substitution permissible,” in most cases, you should be able to request the generic on your own. However, if your healthcare provider has indicated “Do not substitute,” or “brand medically necessary,” your pharmacist will have to check with your provider before making the switch. 

Always consult your healthcare provider with any questions or for medical advice about sleep problems and treatment. 

Generic alternatives to Lunesta 

Generic eszopiclone is the primary generic alternative to Lunesta. It is the same drug but in generic form, and is available in the same dosages. If Lunesta or its generic is not an option, there are other insomnia medications that are available in generic form that you can discuss with your healthcare provider, such as:

• Ambien (zolpidem)
• Zaleplon
• Restoril (temazepam)
• Rozerem (ramelteon)

Lunesta and many (but not all) of its alternatives are controlled substances, which can have the potential for abuse and dependence. If you would rather take an over-the-counter medicine or a dietary supplement, you can also discuss options with your healthcare provider, such as melatonin. 

Expert takeaway

“I’ve been a pharmacist long enough to remember when only brand-name Lunesta was available and when generic versions first came out,” says Karen Berger, Pharm.D., member of the SingleCare Medical Board. “Today, it is rare for patients to fill their prescriptions with brand-name Lunesta. Most patients prefer generic eszopiclone because it works the same and has the same benefits at a fraction of the cost.”