Do you find yourself feeling unusually sleepy during the day? Or has your doctor prescribed you a medication called Solriamfetol (which you may know by the brand name Sunosi) because of a problem like sleep apnea? So today, let's talk briefly about this medication and the things you need to be careful about when using it. This will be very important for you.
What kind of medicine is this?
Simply put, Solriamfetol is a medication that helps you stay awake. It is mainly used to treat two sleep disorders.
1. Narcolepsy: This is characterized by uncontrollable excessive sleepiness during the day. You may fall asleep immediately.
2. Obstructive Sleep Apnea: This is when breathing stops intermittently during sleep. This can cause you to wake up feeling tired in the morning and feel sleepy throughout the day.
So what this medicine does is stimulate your brain and help you stay awake during the day. But it's not a treatment for the root cause of your sleep problems, it's just a way to help manage the symptoms.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before giving you this medicine, your doctor will need to know your complete health history. This medicine may interact with some medical conditions. So if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor.
| Your medical condition or condition | Why is notification important? |
|---|---|
| Heart disease, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol | This medicine may slightly increase blood pressure and heart rate. Therefore, great caution should be exercised when giving this medicine to someone with these conditions. |
| Diabetes | Sometimes this medication can affect diabetes control, so it's important for your doctor to be aware of this. |
| Kidney disease | If your kidneys are not working properly, this medicine will be eliminated from your body more slowly. In that case, your dose may need to be reduced. |
| Mental illnesses like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia | This medication can sometimes alter mental states, increasing anxiety and irritability. Therefore, if you have a history of such conditions, it is important to mention it. |
| A history of drug or alcohol addiction (Substance use disorder) | Because there is a risk of addiction to this medication, doctors are especially careful when giving it to someone with such a history. |
| If you are trying to get pregnant, are pregnant, or are a breastfeeding mother | There is not yet complete information about the safety of this medicine during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Therefore, it may be necessary to change the treatment plan in these cases. |
| If you have an allergy to other medications, foods, or substances | This is important to know if you are allergic to Solriamfetol or anything else it contains. |
How should I use the medicine?
This is very simple, but it must be followed exactly.
- Take this pill with a glass of water .
- Try to take it at the same time every day . This is usually given in the morning, right after waking up.
- You can take it before or after meals. However, if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it with food .
- Take only the prescribed dose as directed by your doctor. Never increase or decrease the dose as you wish.
- Continue taking the medicine until the doctor tells you to stop.
Important: You will receive a special instruction leaflet (MedGuide) when you get this medicine from the pharmacy. Read it carefully each time you get your medicine. It contains important information for you.
What do you do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have accidentally taken more than the prescribed dose of this medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Do not take this lightly.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But remember one thing. If it is less than 9 hours before you plan to go to bed, do not take it at that time. This may interfere with your ability to fall asleep at night. In such cases, skip the missed dose and take your regular dose the next day at the same time. Never take two pills at once to make up for a forgotten dose.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Some medications can cause problems when taken with Solriamfetol. Therefore, it is important to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements).
| Type of medicine | Description |
|---|---|
| Medicines that should never be taken together | |
| MAOI-type antidepressants (MAOIs) | Examples: Marplan, Nardil, Parnate. Taking Solriamfetol with these medications can cause dangerously high blood pressure. It is not recommended to take this medication for two weeks after stopping an MAOI. |
| Medicines to be used with caution | |
| Some medications for Parkinson's disease | Examples: Medicines such as levodopa, pramipexole, and ropinirole. |
| Other medications that increase blood pressure or heart rate | Even some cold medicines can fall into this category. Therefore, do not take any medicine without consulting your doctor. |
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medication, this one can have side effects. Not everyone gets them. But it's important to be aware of them.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Heartbeat | Fast or irregular heartbeat. |
| Symptoms of a heart attack | Pain or tightness in the chest, shoulders, arms, nausea, difficulty breathing, sweating. |
| Symptoms of a stroke | Numbness or weakness on one side of the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, difficulty walking, severe headache. |
| Increased blood pressure | The doctor checks your blood pressure regularly. |
| Mental and behavioral changes | Severe anxiety, anger, mental confusion, suicidal thoughts, increased depression. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Headache | Nausea (feeling sick) |
| Anxiety, restlessness | Appetite |
| Difficulty falling asleep | - |
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you notice anything unusual, please tell your doctor.
How to protect and remove the medicine?
- Keep it out of reach of children and pets. This is very important.
- This medicine has the potential to be addictive, so keep it in a safe place where thieves cannot get it .
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius).
- Safely dispose of expired or no longer needed medications. Ask your doctor whether it is okay to throw them in the trash or flush them down the toilet.
Most importantly: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason. Doing so is illegal and could be very dangerous to the other person's life.
Take-Home Message
- Solriamfetol is a medication that helps you stay awake. It is mainly used to treat conditions called Narcolepsy and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.
- Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor about any other illnesses you have and any other medicines you are taking.
- Take the prescribed dose at the prescribed time, as the doctor says. Usually, it is taken in the morning.
- If you experience serious side effects such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or severe mental changes, seek medical advice immediately.
- This medicine is for you only. Never give it to anyone else. Keep it safe and out of the reach of children.
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly or change the dosage without asking your doctor.
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