If you have insomnia (trouble sleeping or staying asleep), your doctor may prescribe Belsomra. It’s a prescription drug used in adults with this condition.

Belsomra basics

Suvorexant is contained in Belsomra. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work. It is part of a group of drugs called dual Orexin receptor antagonists.

Belsomra is a Tablets that you can swallow. It is available in four strengths: 5, 10, 15 and 20.

Belsomra is a brand-name medication and is not available in a generic version.

Is Belsomra a controlled substance?

Belsomra is a controlled substance. The government regulates how controlled substances are prescribed and used. Misuse is using a drug in a different way than what it was prescribed. You rely on a drug to function or feel something.

Belsomra is a Schedule IV controlled substance, which means it carries a low risk of misuse or dependence.

If you have concerns about the risk of misuse or dependence with Belsomra, talk with your doctor before starting treatment.

Belsomra may cause mild or serious side effects. Some of the more common side effects of Belsomra are described in the lists below. All possible side effects are not included in these lists.

Side effects of a drug can depend on other factors.

  • Your age.
  • You have other health conditions.
  • You take other drugs.

Belsomra can have side effects, so your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more. They can suggest ways to reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a short list of some of the mild side effects that Belsomra can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Belsomra’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Belsomra may be present.

The side effects of many drugs can be gone in a few days. If they become intolerable, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

The side effect is described in the section “Allergic reaction”.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Belsomra are not common. If you have serious side effects from Belsomra, you should call your doctor. If you think you have a medical emergency, you should call the emergency number.

Belsomra may have serious side effects.

  • Sleepwalking or sleep-driving are unusual sleep behaviors.
  • There is weakness in your legs.
  • excessive fatigue.
  • sleep paralysis (not being able to move or talk as you fall asleep or wake up)
  • hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there) as you’re falling asleep or waking up
  • suicidal thoughts or behaviors
  • Severe allergic reaction.

The side effect is described in the section “Allergic reaction”.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in a crisis, please seek help.

Stay with them until help arrives. If you can do it safely, you can remove weapons that can cause harm.

Stay on the phone with them until help arrives, if you are not in the same household.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Belsomra. Allergic reaction wasn’t reported in studies of Belsomra, but it could still occur.

A mild allergic reaction can include some symptoms.

A more severe allergic reaction is not uncommon. A severe allergic reaction can cause swelling under your skin, usually in your lips, hands, or feet. They can include swelling of your mouth, throat, and tongue, which can cause trouble breathing.

If you have an allergic reaction to Belsomra, call your doctor. If you think you have a medical emergency, call the emergency number.

Find answers to questions about Belsomra.

What should I know about alternatives to Belsomra, such as Belsomra vs. Ambien, Lunesta, or Dayvigo?

Belsomra, Ambien, Lunesta, and Dayvigo are prescription drugs that are used to treat insomnia in adults. The government regulates them due to their potential for misuse or dependence.

Dayvigo is the most similar to Belsomra. They work in the same way as insomnia is treated.

Dayvigo and Belsomra are FDA approved drugs for insomnia. They are brand-name drugs with no generic equivalents. Both drugs are relatively old. They are available as brand and generic drugs. Generic drugs are cheaper than brand-name drugs.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the differences between these drugs.

Is Belsomra used to treat anxiety?

Belsomra is not used to treating anxiety. Belsomra has been reported to have a side effect of anxiety.

One small study showed that suvorexant (the active ingredient in Belsomra) helped reduce the severity of anxiety in hospitalized people with mental illness and anxiety. The drug was also found to help improve sleep quality in this study. More studies are needed to assess Belsomra for anxiety.

If you have questions about Belsomra, you should talk to your doctor.

Does Belsomra cause weight loss or weight gain?

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

Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about your weight. They can help you identify the cause or recommend ways to manage your weight.

Is Belsomra addictive? And will I experience withdrawal if I stop taking it?

There was no evidence of physical addiction in people who took Belsomra in clinical studies. Also in these studies, no withdrawal symptoms were reported after people stopped taking the drug.

Belsomra is a Schedule IV controlled substance, which means it carries a low risk of misuse or dependence.

It’s possible that taking Belsomra may lead to psychological (mental or emotional) addiction. For example, it’s possible that someone taking Belsomra may feel that they can’t fall asleep without it. To help prevent this, your doctor will likely advise you not to take Belsomra every night. It’s a medication that’s meant to be taken only as needed.

Is Belsomra a narcotic? Will it make me feel ‘high’?

No, Belsomra isn’t a narcotic. And in the drug’s studies, there were no reports of people feeling high.

Narcotics are opioids, such as oxycodone. Opioids are prescribed to treat severe pain.

Belsomra is prescribed to treat insomnia. It belongs to a group of drugs called dual orexin receptor antagonists.

If you have questions about Belsomra treatment, you should talk to your doctor.

What is Belsomra’s mechanism of action (how does it work)?

Belsomra is used to help adults sleep. It is thought to work by blocking the effects of brain chemicals. Your brain is telling you to stay awake or wake up.

Talk to your doctor about Belsomra.

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Belsomra that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form and strengths

Belsomra is a Tablets that you can swallow. It is available in four strengths: 5, 10, 15 and 20.

Recommended dosages

The starting dose of Belsomra is 10. You will take a dose before you go to sleep. If you can sleep at least 7 hours, then you should take Belsomra.

Belsomra will probably not be prescribed by your doctor. It is usually taken as needed.

“If you don’t feel better after taking Belsomra, talk to your doctor. They may increase your dose. The maximum dose of Belsomra is 20. Unless your doctor recommends it, you should not change your dose.”

If you are 65 years old or older, your doctor may prescribe a lower starting and maximum dosage.

Questions about Belsomra’s dosage

There are a lot of questions about Belsomra.

  • What if I miss a dose of Belsomra? Belsomra should be taken at least 30 minutes before going to bed. If you forget to take it at least 30 minutes before your bedtime, you can still take it later, as long as you’ll still have at least 7 hours before you need to wake up.
  • Will I need to use Belsomra long term? It’s possible that your doctor may prescribe Belsomra for you long term. But they may advise you not to take it every night. This drug is usually taken only as needed.
  • How long does Belsomra take to work? Belsomra starts working within 30 minutes after you take a dose. But if you take your dose with food or right after a meal, it may take an hour or so longer than this to start working.

Belsomra is used to treat insomnia in adults who have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both.

Symptoms of insomnia may include:

  • Lying awake for a long time.
  • “It’s possible to wake up too early or during the night.”
  • It is a problem of tiredness.

Other symptoms can be caused by not getting enough sleep. Feelings of being angry and having trouble with memory or focus are examples.

Belsomra may not be effective for insomnia caused by other conditions.

“If you don’t feel like Belsomra is helping you sleep, talk to your doctor. They can change your treatment plan. They may check if other factors are causing insomnia.”

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about taking Belsomra for sleep.

There are many factors that affect the cost of prescription drugs. What your insurance plan covers is one of the factors.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. A savings coupon may also be available for Belsomra.

You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.

This section describes what to think about before treatment begins.

Interactions

Taking a medication with certain vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.

Before taking Belsomra, you should tell your doctor about all your medication. You should also describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause.

The “Warnings” section contains information about drug-condition interactions.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Belsomra can interact with a lot of drugs. Some examples are included.

  • Other central nervous system depressants, such as opioids or other drugs that can cause drowsiness.
  • diltiazem and verapamil are blood pressure medications.
  • digoxin is a medication for the heart.
  • Drugs used to treat seizures.
  • A group of drugs that fight HIV.
  • Drugs used to treat infections.
  • “St. John’s wort is a herb.”

Warnings

If you have certain medical conditions, Belsomra may not be right for you. These are drug-condition interactions. Belsomra is a good treatment option if you have other factors to consider.

Before you take Belsomra, talk to your doctor about your health history. The factors to consider are listed below.

  • Depression or other mental health condition. In rare cases, Belsomra may increase suicidal thoughts and behaviors or worsened depression. If you have depression, talk with your doctor about your condition before starting Belsomra. They may monitor you more closely during treatment, or they may recommend another treatment for your condition.
  • Drug or substance misuse. Belsomra is a controlled substance and carries the risk of misuse (also called abuse). If you have a problem with drug, alcohol, or substance misuse (or have had one of these issues in the past), tell your doctor. They may suggest a different treatment option for your insomnia.
  • Cataplexy. Belsomra may cause temporary weakness in your muscles. This side effect is similar to the main symptom of cataplexy. If you have cataplexy, talk with your doctor before taking Belsomra. They can determine if this drug is safe for you.
  • Liver problems. It isn’t known if Belsomra use is safe for people with severe liver problems. If you have liver problems or have had them in the past, talk with your doctor before taking Belsomra. Your doctor may check your liver health to determine if it’s safe for you to take Belsomra.
  • Breathing problems. Belsomra can cause cough and upper respiratory infection, which could irritate your lungs. If you already have breathing problems such as obstructive sleep apnea or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, taking Belsomra could worsen your symptoms. Talk with your doctor to find out if it’s safe for you to take Belsomra.
  • Narcolepsy. If you have narcolepsy, taking Belsomra could worsen your condition. Due to this risk, doctors will likely not prescribe Belsomra to people with narcolepsy. If you have this condition, talk with your doctor about other insomnia treatments.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Belsomra or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Belsomra. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.
  • Older age. People ages 65 years and older may have a higher risk of certain side effects of Belsomra, such as dizziness. This can lead to falls and related injuries. Due to this risk, doctors may prescribe a lower dose of Belsomra if you’re age 65 years or older. They’ll also monitor you closely for side effects during your treatment.

Belsomra and alcohol

You should not mix alcohol with Belsomra. If you drink alcohol while you are prescribed Belsomra, you should not take it before you go to bed.

Belsomra and alcohol are both central nervous system (CNS) depressants. This means they can slow your brain’s activity. Drinking alcohol with Belsomra can raise your risk of excessive fatigue. and falls.

If you have questions about drinking alcohol, talk to your doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Belsomra is not known if it is safe to take while pregnant.

If you are pregnant or planning to be, tell your doctor. They will likely recommend other options during your pregnancy.

It is not known if it is safe to take Belsomra while breastfeeding. If a child is exposed to breast milk, they may become sleepy.

Talk to your doctor if you are planning to breastfeeding. They may recommend other treatments.

Do not take more than your doctor prescribes. Side effects can be serious if you use more than this.

What to do in case you take too much Belsomra

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Belsomra. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

“Your doctor will explain to you how to take Belsomra. They will explain how much to take and how often. Follow your doctor’s instructions.”

Taking Belsomra

Belsomra is a Tablets that you can swallow. You will take Belsomra for 30 minutes before you go to bed. If you can get at least 7 hours of sleep, you should take Belsomra.

Belsomra will probably not be prescribed by your doctor. It is usually taken as needed.

Accessible medication containers and labels

“If you can’t read the label on your prescription, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies may provide medication labels.”

  • Have a large print.
  • Use the visual aids.
  • You can use a code on a phone to change the text into audio.

“If your current pharmacy doesn’t offer these options, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a new pharmacy.”

Questions about taking Belsomra

Some questions about Belsomra are listed below.

  • Can Belsomra be chewed, crushed, or split? No, Belsomra tablets should be swallowed whole. If you have trouble swallowing pills, check out this article for tips. Or talk with your doctor about other treatment options.
  • Should I take Belsomra with food? Belsomra may be taken with or without food. But Belsomra may take longer to start working if you take it with food or right after you’ve eaten.
  • Is there a best time of day to take Belsomra? Yes. You should take Belsomra up to 30 minutes before going to bed. Only take Belsomra if you’ll be able to get at least 7 hours of sleep.

Questions for your doctor

You may have questions about Belsomra. Discuss your concerns with your doctor.

Here are a few tips that might help you.

  • Before your appointment, write down questions such as:
    • How will Belsomra affect me?
  • Bring someone with you to your appointment to make you feel more comfortable.
  • “If you don’t understand something, ask your doctor to explain it.”

“Your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. They want you to get the best care possible. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or give feedback on your treatment”

Belsomra is a controlled substance. The government regulates how controlled substances are prescribed and used. Misuse is using a drug in a different way than what it was prescribed. You rely on a drug to function or feel something.

Belsomra is a Schedule IV controlled substance, which means it carries a low risk of misuse or dependence.

If you have concerns about your dependence on Belsomra, talk to your doctor.

If you have questions about taking Belsomra or other treatment options for insomnia, talk with your doctor.

Some questions to start your conversation are listed here.

  • Does Belsomra show up for a drug test?
  • “What are my options if Belsomra isn’t working for me?”
  • Should I keep taking my other drugs?
  • How can I tell if I am becoming dependent on Belsomra?

You can read more about the warning signs of sleep disorders, including insomnia, here.

Q:

If I wake up at night after taking Belsomra, can I take an over-the-counter drug that causes drowsiness?

Anonymous

A:

It’s not recommended. Belsomra and diphenhydramine (Benadryl) are central nervous system (CNS) depressants. This means they can slow your brain’s activity and cause symptoms such as drowsiness.

Benadryl has a drug called diphenhydramine. This drug is found in other OTC sleep aids. It is found in OTC cold and allergy medication.

Taking these drugs with or after taking Belsomra may cause excessive fatigue.. You may have trouble getting up, feel sleepy the next day, or have trouble staying alert. This can make certain activities dangerous, such as driving.

“You should take your prescribed dose. If you feel that the drug isn’t working, talk to your doctor They can change your dose or recommend a different treatment.”

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.