Re: lunesta, etc. --- I have been on Rxd lunesta since Feb. 2012.
It must be taken once you've "unplugged" from everything in your day, right before you go to bed to sleep, approx. 30-45 mins before sleep. I highly recommend good sleep hygiene habits and to be in your 'in-bed, ready to go to sleep mode' doing nothing else, i.e. no iPhone, no websurfing, no stimulating tv or video games --- relaxing while it is taking effect. From my own experience, if you persist in activity, --- it will indeed not take effect.