Do you go to bed at night and toss and turn for hours without falling asleep? Or do you wake up in the middle of the night and spend the whole day exhausted from not being able to fall back asleep? This is a really annoying condition for both the mind and the body. In medical terms, we call this insomnia. So, one of the drugs that doctors recommend to treat this condition is Suvorexant. Let's talk about this today.
Simply put, what is Suvorexant?
Suvorexant is a pill that is used to treat insomnia. Its main function is to help you fall asleep quickly and stay asleep throughout the night . This medication is most commonly available under the brand name Belsomra. But remember, this is a prescription drug that should only be taken with a doctor's prescription.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before prescribing Suvorexant to you, your doctor will need to know your complete health history. This is because it can be dangerous to use this medication with certain medical conditions. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor about them .
| Disease or condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Mental problems | If you have or have ever had depression or another mental illness. If you have a history of suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts. |
| Addictions | If you have previously been addicted to drugs or alcohol. If you are a frequent drinker. |
| Other sleep-related diseases | If you have a condition where your muscles suddenly become weak (Cataplexy), a condition where you fall asleep at unexpected times (Narcolepsy), or a condition where you stop breathing during sleep (Sleep apnea). |
| Liver or lung disease | If you have liver disease, lung disease, or difficulty breathing. |
| Sleepwalking | If you have previously taken sleep medication, done things like sleepwalking, eating, or driving. |
| Allergies | If you have allergies to Suvorexant or other medicines, foods, or dyes. |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How should I use this medicine?
The way to use this is very simple, but it is very important to follow the instructions exactly.
- Time: Take this pill with a glass of water 30 minutes before going to bed.
- Food: It is best to take this medicine on an empty stomach . Taking it with food may reduce its effectiveness.
- Dosage: Never take more than the dosage prescribed by your doctor. Use it exactly as your doctor tells you.
- For children: This medicine is not usually given to children. It requires special care, so talk to your doctor about it.
Most importantly: This medicine is for you only. Never give your medicine to anyone else. It can be dangerous.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, don't delay . Call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital immediately. Or, go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
Suvorexant may interact with other medications you are taking or with the foods you are drinking. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal products).
| Avoid taking Suvorexant with these |
|---|
| Alcohol |
| Medicines for allergies, coughs, and colds (Antihistamines) |
| Some antibiotics - e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin |
| Some antiviral drugs used for HIV or Hepatitis |
| Some medications used for fungal infections - e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole |
| Some medications for mental illness |
| Grapefruit juice |
| Painkillers (especially opioids) |
| Other sleeping medications |
Be especially careful about these things when taking medication.
Strange things you do in your sleep
This is the most important and dangerous thing to know about this drug. After taking this drug, some people can wake up and do various things without even realizing it . For example, imagine that you take the drug at night and go to sleep. But without even realizing it, you get out of bed, open the fridge and cook and eat, call someone, or drive (`(sleep-driving)`) . The most dangerous thing is that you will not remember any of this when you wake up the next morning. If something like this happens, stop taking the drug immediately and talk to your doctor.
Do not take this medicine on the day you have consumed alcohol or taken any other sleeping pills. Doing so increases the risk of these sleep-related behaviors.
Feeling sleepy the next day
If you do not get 7-8 hours of full sleep after taking this medicine, you may feel drowsy and less alert the next day. Even if you feel fully awake, your reaction time may be reduced. Therefore, if you are taking this medicine, it is wise to avoid activities that require a lot of attention the next day, such as driving or operating machinery . Talk to your doctor about this.
Mental changes
If you or your family notice any unusual changes in your mood or behavior (e.g., anxiety, irritability, increased stress, suicidal thoughts), call your doctor immediately.
What are the possible side effects of the medication?
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Central nervous system depression (CNS depression) | Slow or shallow breathing, dizziness, loss of consciousness. |
| Mental and behavioral changes | Anxiety, increased stress, suicidal thoughts. |
| Abnormal sleep behaviors | Sleepwalking, eating, driving, etc., and losing memory the next day. |
| Muscle weakness | Sudden and temporary muscle weakness. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Feeling sleepy the next day | Feeling sleepy during the day. |
| Strange dream | Scary or unusually vivid nightmares. |
How should I store the medicine? How should I dispose of it?
Keep this medicine in a safe place out of the reach of children and pets . This is a medicine that can be misused, so protect it from theft. Store the bottle tightly closed in an airtight container at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius), away from light and moisture.
It is very important to dispose of expired or no longer needed medications. These can be very dangerous if they get into the hands of someone else, especially a child. If you are not sure how to properly dispose of medications, ask your doctor .
Take-Home Message
- Suvorexant is a medication for insomnia that should only be taken on the recommendation of a doctor.
- Before taking medication, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and all medications you are taking.
- Take this medicine on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before going to bed. Do not take more than the dosage prescribed by your doctor.
- Be aware of unusual behaviors such as sleepwalking, eating, and driving, and of how sleepy you feel the next day.
- Never share this medicine with anyone else. It is for you only.
- If you notice any serious side effects, inform your doctor immediately.
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