LIST YOUR PRACTICE
Disclaimer
IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.
Uses
This medication is used to treat a certain sleep problem (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. If your insomnia continues for longer than 7 to 10 days after starting treatment, talk to your doctor to see if you need other treatment.
How to Use
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 hours.
If you have to wake up before that, you may have some memory loss and may have trouble safely doing anything that needs 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.
Though it helps many people, this medication may sometimes cause addiction.
This risk may be higher if you have a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol).
Take this medication exactly as prescribed to lower the risk of addiction.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Tell your doctor if your condition lasts after 7 to 10 days, or if it gets worse.
Side Effects
Unusual dreams may occur.
If this effect lasts or gets worse, 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 this medication has been prescribed because your doctor 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: mental/mood changes (such as depression, thoughts of suicide), temporary weakness in your legs.
This medication may cause sleep paralysis, which is a temporary inability to move or talk (for up to several minutes) while you are going to sleep or waking up.
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.
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), personal or family history of a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to 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 at least 7 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.
Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can also make you more sleepy.
Wait at least 8 hours after taking this drug before driving, and do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely.
Avoid alcoholic beverages.
Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).
If you take the 20 milligram dosage of suvorexant, do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs 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.
Unsteadiness and drowsiness may increase the risk of falls.
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 breastfeeding.
Drug 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 HIV protease inhibitors (such as indinavir), nefazodone, rifampin, ritonavir, 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 cause drowsiness or breathing problems.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products such as opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), other drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine).
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.