- that what I am providing is NOT meant in any way to replace the conversation between you, your doctor, or your pharmacist
- please do not self-diagnose or make medical decisions about this drug without talking with qualified professionals
- the information provided here is the reference sheet you would find at WebMD. During my journey I found this site to be helpful in providing support. All credit for this information belongs to them. I copied it right from their website and I have removed the hyper-links. Please visit their site if you would like to read further.
For this installment, I have chosen Belsomra
GENERIC NAME(S): SUVOREXANT
Uses: This medication is used to treat sleep problems (insomnia). It may help you fall asleep and stay asleep longer, so you can get a better night's rest. Suvorexant belongs to a class of drugs known as sedative-hypnotics. It acts on your brain to produce a calming effect.
Use of this medication is usually limited to short treatment periods of 7 to 10 days or less. If your insomnia continues for a longer time, talk to your doctor to see if you need other treatment.
**Please read this information carefully**
If you have any questions about what is provided here....talk with your doctor or pharmacist please.
GENERIC NAME(S): SUVOREXANT
Uses
This medication is used to treat sleep problems (insomnia). It may help you fall asleep and stay asleep longer, so you can get a better night's rest. Suvorexant belongs to a class of drugs known as sedative-hypnotics. It acts on your brain to produce a calming effect.
Use of this medication is usually limited to short treatment periods of 7 to 10 days or less. If your insomnia continues for a longer time, talk to your doctor to see if you need other treatment.
How to use Belsomra
Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking suvorexant and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take suvorexant by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually 30 minutes before you get into bed. This medication can be taken with or without food, but it may take longer to work if you take it with or right after a meal.
The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Do not take a dose of this drug unless you have time for a full night's sleep of at least 7 to 8 hours. If you have to wake up before that, you may have some memory loss and may have trouble safely doing any activity that requires alertness, such as driving or operating machinery. (See also Precautions section.)
Do not increase your dose, take it more often, or use it for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase.
Do not take this medication with alcohol, or if you have had alcohol that day, especially in the evening before bed. Also, do not take this medication with other drugs to help you sleep.
When this medication is used for a long time, it may not work as well. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.
Along with its benefits, this medication may rarely cause abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction). This risk may be increased if you have abused alcohol or drugs in the past. Take this medication exactly as prescribed to lessen the risk of addiction.
Tell your doctor if your condition persists after 7 to 10 days, or if it worsens.
Side Effects
Temporary weakness in your legs or inability to move or talk may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Suvorexant may make you sleepy during the day. Tell your doctor if you have daytime drowsiness. Your dose may need to be adjusted.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: memory loss, mental/mood/behavior changes (such as anxiety, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, depression, thoughts of suicide).
Rarely, after taking this drug, people have gotten out of bed and driven vehicles while not fully awake ("sleep-driving"). People have also sleepwalked, prepared/eaten food, made phone calls, or had sex while not fully awake. Often, these people do not remember these events. This problem can be dangerous to you or to others. If you find out that you have done any of these activities after taking this medication, tell your doctor right away. Your risk is increased if you use alcohol or other medications that can make you drowsy while taking suvorexant.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
BELSOMRA Side Effects List by likelihood and severity
The following side effects are associated with Belsomra:
Common side effects of Belsomra:
Drowsiness Less Severe
Head Pain Less Severe
Infrequent side effects of Belsomra:
Abnormal Dreams Less Severe
Acute Infection of the Nose, Throat or Sinus Less Severe
Cough Less Severe
Diarrhea Less Severe
Dizzy Less Severe
Dry Mouth Less Severe
Rare side effects of Belsomra:
Having Thoughts of Suicide Severe
Perform Complex Natural behaviors while Asleep Severe
Anxious Less Severe
Confused Less Severe
Depression Less Severe
Generalized Attack of Muscular Weakness Less Severe
Hallucination Less Severe
Loss of Memory Less Severe
Problem Behavior Less Severe
Sleep Paralysis Less Severe
Precautions
Before taking suvorexant, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: a certain sleep disorder (narcolepsy), liver disease, lung disease/breathing problems (such as sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease- COPD), mental/mood problems (such as depression, thoughts of suicide), regular use/abuse of drugs/alcohol, a certain muscle weakness disorder (cataplexy).
The effects of this drug can last even after you wake up the next day. If you did not get 7 to 8 hours of sleep or took other medications that made you sleepy or are more sensitive to this drug, you may feel alert but not think clearly enough to drive. Wait at least 8 hours after taking this drug before driving, and do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. If you take the 20 milligram dosage of suvorexant, do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness the next day.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially confusion, unsteadiness, excessive drowsiness.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
It is unknown if suvorexant passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Interactions
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Other medications can affect the removal of suvorexant from your body, which may affect how suvorexant works. Examples include certain azole antifungals (such as itraconazole, ketoconazole), certain drugs used to treat seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenytoin), clarithromycin, cobicistat, certain hepatitis C virus protease inhibitors (such as boceprevir, telaprevir), certain HIV protease inhibitors (such as indinavir, ritonavir), nefazodone, rifampin, telithromycin, among others.
The risk of serious side effects (such as slow/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness/dizziness) may be increased if this medication is taken with other products that may also affect breathing or cause drowsiness. Therefore, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products such as alcohol, antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), and narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone).
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.
Overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: a deep sleep from which you cannot be awakened.
Notes
Do not share this medication with others. It is against the law.
As you get older, your sleep pattern may naturally change and your sleep may be interrupted several times during the night. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for ways to improve your sleep without medication, such as avoiding caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime, avoiding daytime naps, and going to bed at the same time each night.
Missed Dose
See also How to Use section.
If you miss a dose, do not take it unless you have time to sleep for 7 to 8 hours afterward.
Storage
Store in the original package at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
Information last revised October 2015. Copyright(c) 2015 First Databank, Inc.