Sunosi (solriamfetol) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed for excessive daytime sleepiness in adults with narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea. As with other drugs, Sunosi can cause side effects, such as headache and nausea.

Sunosi belongs to a drug class called dopamine-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. The drug is not available in a generic version. Sunosi comes as an oral tablet that you swallow.

Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects of Sunosi. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

Sunosi can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Sunosi in clinical trials. These side effects can vary depending on which condition the drug is being prescribed to treat.

Common side effects in people taking Sunosi include:

Mild side effects can occur with Sunosi. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Sunosi’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported in people taking Sunosi include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Sunosi and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Sunosi may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Sunosi’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Sunosi, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after taking Sunosi. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Sunosi may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Does Sunosi cause weight gain or weight loss?

Sunosi may cause weight loss. However, in clinical trials of Sunosi, this side effect was not commonly reported.

Sunosi is not known to cause weight gain.

If you have concerns about your weight while taking Sunosi, talk with your doctor.

If I stop taking Sunosi, will I experience withdrawal symptoms?

It’s not likely. In clinical trials, withdrawal symptoms were not a reported side effect in people who took Sunosi for 6 months or more and then stopped taking the drug. Withdrawal symptoms can occur when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on.

Symptoms of withdrawal can include:

  • nausea and vomiting
  • stomach cramps
  • anxiety
  • shakiness

If you have concerns about stopping Sunosi, talk with your doctor. Always follow the treatment plan your doctor prescribes, and never stop taking a drug without your doctor’s recommendation.

Can Sunosi make you feel ‘high’?

It’s not likely. Sunosi is a controlled substance. However, feeling high was not a reported side effect in clinical trials of this drug.

Controlled substances are drugs that are regulated by the federal government. This is because taking them may lead to misuse or addiction in some people. Misuse is taking a drug in a way other than how a doctor prescribes it. With addiction, a drug is used even if it’s causing harmful outcomes.

If you’re taking Sunosi and feel that the drug is negatively affecting you, talk with your doctor. They’ll decide whether you should continue taking Sunosi.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Sunosi may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Sunosi.

Constipation

In Sunosi’s clinical trials, some people reported constipation. This side effect was not common. Symptoms of constipation can include:

  • passing less than three stools per week
  • straining to have bowel movements
  • feeling as though you can’t empty your rectum completely
  • stools that are hard or lumpy

What you can do

To help relieve constipation, you can try drinking more water, increasing your physical activity, and eating more fiber.

For constipation that does not ease, talk with your doctor. They may recommend certain over-the-counter medications to help ease this side effect, such as MiraLAX (polyethylene glycol).

Nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting were commonly reported side effects in Sunosi’s clinical trials. Symptoms can include:

  • decreased appetite
  • feeling as if you’re going to vomit
  • retching
  • abdominal pain
  • pressure in the back of your throat or stomach

What you can do

Talk with your doctor if you have nausea and vomiting that do not ease over time or become severe. In the meantime, you can try eating small, bland meals or sipping cold beverages throughout the day. You should also avoid exercising after a meal.

Heart palpitations

Heart palpitations can occur during Sunosi treatment. This side effect wasn’t common in clinical trials of the drug. Symptoms can include:

  • shortness of breath
  • dizziness or lightheadedness
  • chest pain
  • feeling as if your heart is pounding in your chest
  • increased or decreased heart rate

What you can do

Tell your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms listed above. They may recommend that you stop taking Sunosi, or they may want to monitor you more closely if you continue treatment with this drug.

Excessive sweating

Excessive sweating was reported in clinical trials of Sunosi. Symptoms can include:

What you can do

Talk with your doctor if you’re sweating more than is typical for you after starting treatment with Sunosi. They’ll decide whether it’s safe for you to continue taking the drug.

Sleep problems

In Sunosi’s clinical trials, sleep problems were a commonly reported side effect. Symptoms can include:

  • problems falling asleep
  • waking up in the middle of the night
  • waking up too early in the morning
  • fatigue
  • irritability
  • anxiety

What you can do

If you experience sleep problems during Sunosi treatment, talk with your doctor. They may prescribe a different dosage or have you stop taking Sunosi.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Sunosi can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Sunosi. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Sunosi. This drug may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are known as drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Psychiatric conditions. Sunosi can cause sleep problems, anxiety, or irritability. If these symptoms occur, talk with your doctor. They may lower your dosage or have you stop taking Sunosi. If you have any existing conditions such as depression, an anxiety disorder, or bipolar disorder, taking Sunosi could make them worse. Let your doctor know if you have any psychiatric conditions that have been prescribed treatments before starting Sunosi. They’ll decide whether this drug is safe for you.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Sunosi or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Sunosi. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Increased heart rate or blood pressure. Sunosi can cause increases in blood pressure and heart rate. If you have high blood pressure or problems with your heart rate, Sunosi could make these conditions worse. Tell your doctor if you’ve had any problems with your blood pressure or heart rate in the past. They can determine whether Sunosi is safe for you.

Alcohol with Sunosi

There aren’t any known interactions between Sunosi and alcohol. Alcohol can make you sleepy, and Sunosi is prescribed to treat excessive sleepiness. So drinking alcohol may interfere with Sunosi’s effects in your body.

Keep in mind that Sunosi has risks of misuse and dependence. Misuse is taking a drug in a way other than how a doctor prescribes it. And dependence means your body becomes used to a drug, and you need to keep taking it to feel as you typically would.

If you’ve had problems with alcohol use disorder or misuse in the past, let your doctor know. They’ll decide whether it’s safe for you to take Sunosi.

If you have questions about drinking alcohol while taking Sunosi, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Sunosi

It’s not known whether Sunosi is safe to take during pregnancy.

In animal studies, Sunosi caused fetal harm. However, animal studies don’t always predict what will happen in humans.

If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk with your doctor before starting treatment with Sunosi. They may recommend a different treatment option for you.

If you become pregnant while taking Sunosi, you can enroll in the Sunosi pregnancy registry online or by calling 877-283-6220. It tracks the outcomes of people who took Sunosi while pregnant.

It’s not known whether Sunosi passes into breast milk or whether the drug could lead to side effects in a child who is breastfed. In animal studies, Sunosi passed into breast milk. However, animal studies don’t always reflect what may occur in humans.

If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before starting Sunosi treatment. They can recommend ways to feed your child.

Sunosi is a Schedule IV controlled substance. This means it has the potential for misuse and dependence. Misuse is taking a drug in a way other than how a doctor prescribes it. And dependence means your body becomes used to a drug, and you need to keep taking it to feel as you typically would.

Tell your doctor if you’ve had any problems with misuse, alcohol use disorder, or other drugs before starting treatment with Sunosi.

As with other medications, Sunosi can cause side effects. Some are mild and go away over time. Others are serious and require medical attention. If you’d like to learn more about Sunosi, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

  • More information about Sunosi. For details about other aspects of Sunosi, refer to this article.
  • Drug comparison. To learn how Sunosi compares with Adderall, read this article.
  • A look at excessive daytime sleepiness. For details about excessive daytime sleepiness, see our science of sleep hub.

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.