Belsomra is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed to treat insomnia in adults. Belsomra contains the active ingredient suvorexant and belongs to the dual orexin receptor antagonists drug class.

Drug details

  • Drug form: oral tablet
  • Generic available? no
  • Prescription required? yes
  • Controlled substance? yes*
  • Year of FDA approval: 2014

* A controlled substance is a drug that’s regulated by the government because taking it can lead to misuse and dependence. (Misuse refers to taking a drug in a way other than how a doctor prescribes it. With dependence, your body needs the drug to function as it typically would.) Belsomra is classified as a Schedule IV drug by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Belsomra is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in generic form.

A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

Belsomra can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Belsomra. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of Belsomra, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Belsomra, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild side effects

Mild side effects* of Belsomra, especially at higher doses, can include:

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. But if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* This is a partial list of mild side effects from Belsomra. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or see Belsomra’s prescribing information.
† For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect details” below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Belsomra aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect details” section below.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

  • Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
  • Listen to the person without judgment.
  • Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
  • Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
  • Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Find more links and local resources.

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Side effect details

Here’s some detail on certain side effects this drug may cause. For additional information about side effects, see this article.

Excessive sleepiness and decreased alertness

Belsomra treatment may cause people to feel more sleepy or less alert than usual the next day. Because of this, you should not drive for at least 8 hours after you take a dose of the drug. Belsomra may also affect your ability to perform other activities that require full alertness.

In clinical studies of Belsomra, next-day sleepiness was the most common side effect.

Belsomra is a type of drug called a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. It slows down the activity of your brain and nervous system. So Belsomra may reduce your ability to think and react quickly. Even if you don’t feel sleepy the next day, driving or operating heavy machinery may still be dangerous. These effects can last up to several days after your last dose of Belsomra.

20-mg strength and next-day activities

Belsomra oral tablets come in four strengths: 5 milligrams (mg), 10 mg, 15 mg, and 20 mg. It’s possible to have excessive sleepiness and decreased alertness with any dose of Belsomra. But taking a high dose (20 mg) can increase your risk of developing these side effects.

If you’re prescribed a 20-mg dose of Belsomra, your doctor may warn you not to drive at all the next day until you know how the drug will affect you. They may also advise you not to perform next-day activities that require full alertness and clear thinking, until you know how Belsomra will affect you.

Other risk factors

Other factors that can increase the risk of excessive sleepiness and decreased alertness with Belsomra include:

  • taking Belsomra when you have less than 7 hours to devote to sleep before you need to wake up
  • taking Belsomra in combination with other CNS depressants*
  • being age 65 years or older, which could make falls and serious injuries more likely

Keep in mind that not getting enough sleep may make you feel excessively sleepy the next day. Insomnia itself, which Belsomra treats, can reduce your mental alertness.

If you’re concerned about excessive sleepiness or decreased alertness with Belsomra, talk with your doctor.

* For more information, see the “Belsomra interactions” section below.

Unusual sleep behaviors

Taking Belsomra may cause some people to perform unusual behaviors during sleep. These may include getting out of bed and performing activities that you may not remember the next day.

Some reported activities include:

  • sleepwalking
  • making phone calls
  • having sex
  • preparing and eating food
  • driving a vehicle

Some of these behaviors could become dangerous and lead to injuries or, in certain cases, fatal accidents. To other people, it may look like you’re awake while you perform these activities, but your brain isn’t fully alert.

Unusual sleep behaviors may occur after your first dose or at any time during treatment with Belsomra. It isn’t clear how common it is to develop these behaviors with Belsomra.

Using other CNS depressants (including alcohol) in combination with Belsomra can increase your risk for unusual sleep behaviors.

If you or other people in your household inform you that you have unusual sleep behaviors while taking Belsomra, talk with your doctor right away. Your doctor will likely have you stop taking Belsomra. They may also recommend other treatment options for your insomnia.

Other problems related to sleep

In addition to the sleep problems mentioned above, Belsomra may cause the development of other sleep problems. Some of these problems reported in clinical studies include sleep paralysis and hallucinations.

With sleep paralysis, you can’t move or talk for several minutes as you fall asleep or wake up. This occurs when part of your brain fully wakes up, but your muscles are still in sleep mode. This is called rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, during which your muscles are unable to move for a time. This is your body’s way of keeping you from physically moving or flailing around as you dream, which may help prevent injuries. Taking Belsomra may increase the risk of becoming conscious during REM sleep and causing temporary sleep paralysis.

Hallucinations may occur while taking Belsomra. They can include seeing, hearing, or sensing things that aren’t there. These hallucinations occur just as you fall asleep or wake up. They may occur at the same time as sleep paralysis. Some people describe these hallucinations as vivid or disturbing.

It isn’t clear how often these sleep problems happen while taking Belsomra. Experiencing sleep paralysis or hallucinations can be frightening. It’s possible for these side effects to cause intense fear or panic attack symptoms such as chest tightness or tachycardia (increased heart rate).

If you develop sleep paralysis or hallucinations while taking Belsomra, talk with your doctor. They may recommend changes to your treatment plan.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Belsomra. Allergic reactions weren’t reported during clinical studies of the drug.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
  • difficulty breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Belsomra, as the reaction could become severe. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

The Belsomra dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the severity of the condition you’re taking Belsomra to treat
  • your age
  • other medical conditions you may have
  • other medications you may take

Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the lowest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

You can refer to this article to learn more about Belsomra’s dosage.

Drug forms and strengths

Belsomra comes as oral tablets. They’re available in four strengths: 5 milligrams (mg), 10 mg, 15 mg, and 20 mg.

Dosage for insomnia

The recommended dose of Belsomra for insomnia is 10 mg once per night. You should take your dose within 30 minutes of going to bed and have at least 7 hours before you plan to wake up.

Your doctor will likely tell you that you don’t have to take Belsomra every night. It’s often recommended that you take the medication only as needed.

If your insomnia doesn’t improve, talk with your doctor. They may recommend increasing your dose.

It’s important to take the dose of Belsomra that your doctor prescribes. You shouldn’t take more than one dose of Belsomra per night. The maximum dose of Belsomra is 20 mg.

A lower dosage of Belsomra is recommended for people who may be more sensitive to the drug’s side effects. This includes people taking certain medications* and people ages 65 years and older. Belsomra’s usual maximum dosage in older people is 15 mg per night. This was the maximum dosage studied in older people in Belsomra’s clinical trials.

* For more information, see the “Belsomra interactions” section below.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of Belsomra, you should take the missed dose only if you have at least 7 hours before you plan to wake up.

Taking your dose when you have less than 7 hours to devote to sleep increases your risk of side effects. These include next-day sleepiness and reduced alertness,* which can be dangerous if you’ll be driving.

To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or using a timer. You could also download a reminder app on your phone. You can set the reminder to go off when you usually get ready for bed.

* For more information about this side effect, see the “Belsomra side effects” section above.

Will I need to use this drug long term?

Possibly. Belsomra may be used as a short- or long-term treatment. If your insomnia doesn’t ease within 7 to 10 days of treatment with Belsomra, talk with your doctor. They may check you for other medical conditions that can cause or worsen insomnia.

If you and your doctor determine that Belsomra is safe and effective for you, they may recommend that you continue taking it long term.

Other drugs are available that can treat insomnia (difficulty sleeping). Some may be a better fit for you than others. Consider asking your doctor how Belsomra compares with some of its alternatives, such as Belsomra vs. Ambien and Ambien CR, Belsomra vs. Dayvigo, or Belsomra vs. Lunesta.

If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Belsomra, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

Keep in mind that some of the drugs listed here are used off-label to treat these specific conditions. Off-label drug use is when an FDA-approved drug is used for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.

Examples of other prescription drugs that may be used to treat insomnia include:

Examples of over-the-counter medications and supplements that may be used to treat insomnia include:

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Belsomra.

Is Belsomra addictive? Will it make me feel ‘high’?

Addiction refers to feeling unable to stop taking a drug, even though it may be causing harm. Belsomra does not cause physical addiction, but the drug may be psychologically addictive (emotional or mental addiction). And no side effects of euphoria (feeling “high”), physical dependence, or withdrawal were reported in clinical studies. (With dependence, your body needs the drug to function as it typically would. And withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on.)

But Belsomra is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance because of possible misuse. (Misuse refers to taking a drug in a way other than how a doctor prescribes it.) For more information, see the “Belsomra withdrawal and dependence” section below.

If you have concerns about taking Belsomra, talk with your doctor.

Does Belsomra cause weight loss or weight gain?

Belsomra shouldn’t cause weight loss or weight gain. Weight changes weren’t reported in people who took the drug in clinical studies.

A small, 14-week study looked at the use of suvorexant (the active drug in Belsomra) in people with type 2 diabetes and insomnia. This study showed that Belsomra helped improve sleep quality and reduce waist size. But the results didn’t show significant weight loss.

If you have questions about changes in your weight, talk with your doctor. They may recommend ways to reach or maintain a weight that’s healthy for you.

Is Belsomra a narcotic?

No, Belsomra isn’t a narcotic.

Belsomra is used to treat insomnia. It belongs to a class of drugs called dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs). Narcotics aren’t used to treat insomnia.

Narcotics are opioids, which are used to treat severe pain. Examples of opioids include hydrocodone and morphine.

While Belsomra isn’t a narcotic, it is classified as a controlled substance due to certain risks. (To learn more, see the “Belsomra withdrawal and dependence” section below.)

If you have other questions about Belsomra, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Can I take more than 20 mg of Belsomra nightly, such as 30 mg or 40 mg each night?

No, you should not take more than one dose of Belsomra per night. Be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you.

The maximum recommended dosage of Belsomra is 20 milligrams (mg) per night.

Clinical studies were performed to test the safety of 30-mg and 40-mg doses of Belsomra. The results showed that the higher doses were similar in effectiveness to lower doses. However, the 30-mg and 40-mg doses led to significantly more side effects, such as excessive next-day sleepiness and impaired driving.

If you feel that Belsomra isn’t helping you, you should not take additional doses. Instead, talk with your doctor. They may recommend other treatment options.

Does Belsomra treat anxiety?

No, Belsomra isn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat anxiety. It’s FDA-approved to treat only insomnia in adults.

Since Belsomra was approved, some people taking the drug have reported anxiety. But it isn’t known if the drug was the cause. It’s possible that the anxiety was linked to sleep-related side effects such as sleep paralysis or hallucinations.*

A clinical study looked at suvorexant (the active drug in Belsomra) in hospitalized people with insomnia and mental illness. After 8 weeks of treatment, reports showed that suvorexant helped improve sleep quality and reduce the severity of anxiety. But more research is needed to evaluate the use of suvorexant for anxiety.

If you have questions about anxiety treatments, talk with your doctor.

* For more information, see “Side effect details” in the “Belsomra side effects” section above.

Will Belsomra show up on drug tests?

It’s possible. It depends on which drug test is being performed. Belsomra may stay in your system for several days after your last dose.

If you have other questions or concerns about drug tests, it’s best to talk with your doctor.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Belsomra to treat certain conditions. Belsomra may also be used off-label for other conditions. Off-label drug use means using a drug for a purpose other than what it’s been approved for by the FDA.

Belsomra for insomnia

Belsomra is FDA-approved to treat insomnia that involves difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. The drug is approved for use in adults.

With insomnia, it may take you a long time to fall asleep. You may also wake up during the night and can’t fall back to sleep. Or you may have both problems.

Other medical conditions or medication side effects can sometimes cause or worsen insomnia. In these cases, Belsomra may not be effective. If you don’t notice improvement after taking Belsomra for 7 to 10 nights, talk with your doctor. They can adjust your treatment plan as needed.

To learn more about taking Belsomra for sleep problems, talk with your doctor. You can also refer to our sleep hub.

Effectiveness for insomnia

Clinical studies have shown Belsomra to be an effective treatment for insomnia in adults. Guidelines from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommend Belsomra as an option for treating insomnia in adults.

For information on how the drug performed in clinical studies, visit the manufacturer’s website or read Belsomra’s prescribing information.

Belsomra and children

Belsomra is FDA-approved to treat insomnia in adults. The drug isn’t approved for use in children, and it hasn’t been studied in people younger than age 18 years.

If you’d like to learn about insomnia treatments for your child’s condition, talk with their doctor.

As with all medications, the cost of Belsomra can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Keep in mind that you may be able to get a 90-day supply of Belsomra. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor or your insurance company.

Before approving coverage for Belsomra, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide if the drug will be covered.

If you’re not sure if you’ll need to get prior authorization for Belsomra, contact your insurance company.

To learn more about the cost of Belsomra, read this article.

Financial and insurance assistance

If you need financial support to pay for Belsomra, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help may be available.

Merck & Co., Inc., the manufacturer of Belsomra, offers a savings coupon and a free trial offer on their drug. For more information about the savings program, see this website. And to learn more about the free trial offer, visit this page.

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions, check out this article.

Mail-order pharmacies

Belsomra may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to get your medication without leaving home.

If recommended by your doctor, you may be able to receive a 90-day supply of Belsomra, so there’s less concern about running out of the medication. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor and your insurance company. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications.

If you don’t have insurance, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist about online pharmacy options.

Generic version

Belsomra is not available in a generic form. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Belsomra is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat insomnia (difficulty sleeping) in adults.

Belsomra belongs to a class of drugs called dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs). A class of drugs is a group of medications that have a similar mechanism of action. A drug’s mechanism of action is the way it works in your body.

Belsomra works by stopping the action of a brain chemical known as orexin. (It’s believed that this chemical has a role in telling your brain to wake up.) By stopping this action, your brain doesn’t get the message to wake up, so you stay asleep.

Belsomra’s half-life

In a person who is generally well, Belsomra has an average half-life of 12 hours. (A drug’s half-life is the amount of time it takes for the body to eliminate half a dose.) The half-life may be longer in people who are ages 65 years and older, have other medical conditions, or take certain medications.

It takes four to five half-lives for the body to eliminate a drug from your system. So, it may take an average of 2 to 3 days for your last dose of Belsomra to be fully removed from your body.

How long does it take to work?

Belsomra starts working as soon as you take your first dose. This is why you should take your dose within 30 minutes before you go to bed.

If you don’t notice your insomnia easing after taking Belsomra for 7 to 10 nights, talk with your doctor. They can adjust your treatment plan as needed.

You should not drink alcohol with Belsomra. Studies showed that consuming alcohol with Belsomra can impair your ability to think and talk clearly, walk, and move as you typically would.

Belsomra and alcohol are both central nervous system (CNS) depressants. This means they can slow down your brain’s activity.

Drinking alcohol while taking Belsomra can cause you to think and talk less clearly and move less well. The combination of alcohol and Belsomra may also increase your risk of side effects, such as:

If you choose to drink alcohol during Belsomra treatment, you should not take your dose of Belsomra that evening before you go to bed. If you have questions about consuming alcohol while taking this drug, talk with your doctor.

Belsomra can interact with several other medications. Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase the risk of side effects or make them more severe.

In some cases, your doctor or pharmacist may recommend dosage adjustments so that you may continue taking a necessary medication while you take Belsomra.

For more information about Belsomra and interactions, see this in-depth article.

Belsomra and other medications

Below is a list of medications that can interact with Belsomra. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Belsomra.

Before taking Belsomra, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Types of drugs that can interact with Belsomra include:

  • Other central nervous system (CNS) depressants. CNS depressants are substances or drugs that slow down the activity of your brain and nervous system. Using CNS depressants with Belsomra can increase your risk for side effects. Examples of CNS depressants include:
  • Certain calcium channel blockers, which are used to treat high blood pressure and other heart conditions. These can increase levels of Belsomra in your body, which could raise your risk for side effects. Examples of calcium channel blockers include:
  • Imatinib (Gleevec), a tyrosine kinase inhibitor drug used to treat certain cancers. Taking Imatinib in combination with Belsomra may increase your risk for side effects from Belsomra.
  • Certain seizures drugs, such as:
    • carbamazepine (Tegretol)
    • phenytoin (Dilantin)
  • Certain antibiotics, which may raise your risk for side effects from Belsomra, such as:
    • clarithromycin (Biaxin)
    • erythromycin (EryTab)
    • rifampin (Rifadin)
  • Certain antifungal drugs, which may increase your risk for side effects from Belsomra, such as:
    • itraconazole (Sporanox)
    • ketoconazole
    • posaconazole (Noxafil)
    • fluconazole (Diflucan)
  • HIV drugs called protease inhibitors, which may increase your risk for side effects from Belsomra, such as:
    • fosamprenavir (Lexiva)
    • atazanavir (Reyataz)
    • ritonavir (Norvir)
    • saquinavir (Invirase)
    • nelfinavir (Viracept)
    • indinavir (Crixivan)
    • boceprevir
  • Certain antidepressants, such as nefazodone, which may increase your risk of side effects from Belsomra.
  • Certain cardiovascular drugs, such as digoxin. Belsomra may increase digoxin levels in your body which may raise your risk for side effects.

Belsomra and herbs and supplements

There aren’t any herbs or supplements that have been specifically reported to interact with Belsomra. But you should still check with your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while taking Belsomra.

Belsomra and foods

Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice with Belsomra may increase the risk of side effects.*

It’s important to know that if you take Belsomra with food or right after eating, the drug may take longer to work.

If you have any questions about consuming certain foods or drinks with Belsomra, talk with your doctor.

* For more information, see the “Belsomra side effects” section above.

In clinical studies, there were no reports of physical drug dependence or withdrawal with long-term use of Belsomra. (With dependence, your body needs the drug to function as it typically would. And withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on.)

But Belsomra is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance because of possible misuse. (A controlled substance is a drug the government regulates because taking the drug can lead to dependence or misuse. And misuse refers to taking a drug in a way other than how a doctor prescribes it.) The risk is increased in people who had or have a substance use disorder.

Belsomra is considered a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, which is a drug that slows down the activity of your brain and nervous system. Like other CNS depressants, Belsomra may cause psychological addiction (emotional or mental addiction) in some people. (Addiction refers to feeling unable to stop taking a drug, even though it may be causing harm.)

If you have concerns about taking Belsomra, talk with your doctor.

You should take Belsomra according to the instructions your doctor gives you.

Belsomra comes as an oral tablet that you swallow.

When to take

You should take Belsomra within 30 minutes before going to bed. Be sure to take your dose at least 7 hours before you plan to wake up.

Your doctor will likely tell you that you don’t have to take Belsomra every night. It’s often recommended that you take the medication only as needed.

Taking Belsomra with food

You may take Belsomra with or without food. Keep in mind that taking the drug with food or right after eating can slow the effects of Belsomra. This means it could take longer for you to fall asleep.

Can Belsomra be crushed, split, or chewed?

No, you should swallow Belsomra tablets whole. If you have difficulty swallowing pills, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

It isn’t known whether it’s safe to take Belsomra while pregnant.

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking Belsomra. They may recommend other ways to treat insomnia during pregnancy.

It’s not known whether Belsomra is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while taking Belsomra.

For more information about taking Belsomra during pregnancy, see the “Belsomra and pregnancy” section above.

It’s not known if it’s safe to take Belsomra while breastfeeding. Based on what’s been observed in animal studies, it’s possible that children who are breastfed may become excessively sleepy if Belsomra is taken while breastfeeding.

If you’re breastfeeding or have plans to breastfeed, talk with your doctor. They may recommend other ways to treat insomnia that are safe while breastfeeding.

This drug comes with several precautions.

Before taking Belsomra, talk with your doctor about your health history. Belsomra may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:

  • Narcolepsy. Belsomra treatment could worsen narcolepsy. Due to this risk, doctors typically will not prescribe Belsomra if you have narcolepsy. Talk with your doctor about other treatment options for your insomnia.
  • Depression or other mental health condition. Belsomra treatment may cause worsened depression or suicidal thoughts. If you have been diagnosed with depression or think you have depression, talk with your doctor. They may monitor you more closely for mood or behavior changes after you start taking Belsomra. Or they may recommend other treatment options.
  • Breathing or lung problems. If you have a condition that affects your lungs or breathing, taking Belsomra may worsen your condition. Examples include obstructive sleep apnea and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To better understand these risks and decide if Belsomra is right for you, talk with your doctor.
  • History of alcohol or substance misuse. Belsomra is a controlled substance, and taking it may lead to misuse. (Misuse refers to taking a drug in a way other than how a doctor prescribes it.) Also, taking Belsomra with alcohol* can increase your risk of serious side effects. Because of these risks, Belsomra may not be right for you if you have or had an alcohol or substance use disorder. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment options for your insomnia.
  • Females† with obesity. Belsomra may cause more intense effects in females than in males.† Belsomra may also cause more intense effects in people with obesity. If you’re female and have obesity, your doctor may monitor you more closely than usual for side effects, especially if they increase your dosage.
  • Older adults. If you’re age 65 years or older, taking Belsomra may increase your risk of drowsiness and falling. Because of this, your doctor may have you take a lower dosage than usual and monitor you more closely for side effects.
  • Severe liver problems. Belsomra wasn’t studied in people with severe liver problems. If you have or had liver problems, talk with your doctor. Depending on the current health of your liver, your doctor may recommend other treatment options.
  • Cataplexy. Although not common, Belsomra can cause cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness) as a side effect. You may be at higher risk if you already have this condition. Your doctor can help determine whether Belsomra is safe for you to take.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Belsomra or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Belsomra. Ask your doctor what other medications might be better options for you.
  • Pregnancy. It’s not known if Belsomra is safe to take during pregnancy. For more information, see the “Belsomra and pregnancy” section above.
  • Breastfeeding. It’s not known if Belsomra is safe to take while breastfeeding. For more information, see the “Belsomra and breastfeeding” section above.

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Belsomra, see the “Belsomra side effects” section above.

* For more about Belsomra and alcohol, see the “Belsomra and alcohol” section above.
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. Use of the terms “male” and “female” in this article refers to sex assigned at birth.

Do not use more Belsomra than your doctor recommends. For some drugs, doing so may lead to unwanted side effects or overdose.

What to do in case you take too much Belsomra

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor. You can also call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. But if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

When you get Belsomra from the pharmacy, your pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the packaging. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication.

The expiration date helps guarantee that the medication is effective during this time. The current stance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid using expired medications. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, ask your pharmacist about how to correctly dispose of it.

Storage

How long a medication remains good to use can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication.

You should store Belsomra at room temperature of 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C), in its original packaging away from light. Avoid storing this medication in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as bathrooms.

Disposal

If you no longer need to take Belsomra and have leftover medication, it’s important to dispose of it safely. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. It also helps keep the drug from harming the environment.

This article provides several useful tips on medication disposal. You can also ask your pharmacist for information about how to dispose of your medication.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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