Healthwise

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Suvorexant Oral Tablet (SUVOREXANT - ORAL)

For sleeping.

Brand Name(s): Belsomra

Generic Name: Suvorexant

Instructions

This medicine may be taken with or without food.

This medicine may take longer to work if taken with or right after a meal.

Use the medicine 30 minutes before bedtime.

Store at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture. Do not keep in the bathroom.

Sleep medicines should only usually be used for a few days at a time. When sleep medicines are used for more than a few weeks, they may not work as well. Speak with your doctor about how often you should take this medicine to help you sleep.

Drug interactions can change how medicines work or increase risk for side effects. Tell your health care providers about all medicines taken. Include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal medicines. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist before starting or stopping any medicine.

Tell your doctor if symptoms do not get better or if they get worse.

You may stop using this medicine if you no longer have symptoms.

Keep all appointments for medical exams and tests while on this medicine.

Do not take the medicine more than once during 24 hours.

Cautions

This medicine may become habit-forming if used for a long time. Please use this medicine only as directed.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.

Sleep medicines may sometimes cause you to forget what happened while you were on the medicine. To prevent this, try to use this medicine only when you are able to get a full 7 hours of sleep at night.

Do not use the medication any more than instructed.

This medicine may cause dizziness or fainting, especially after exercising or in hot weather. Be very careful when standing or sitting up quickly.

If possible, avoid using with alcohol, marijuana, or other medicines that can cause dizziness or drowsiness. These include allergy/cold products, muscle relaxers, sleep aids, and pain relievers.

The effects of this medicine can last for hours after you wake up the next day. Do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that requires alertness until you are able to do so safely.

Your ability to stay alert or to react quickly may be impaired by this medicine. Do not operate machinery or drive while on this medicine.

If you drink more than a few alcoholic beverages each day, ask your doctor whether you should be on this medicine.

Family should check on the patient often. Call the doctor if patient becomes more depressed, has thoughts of suicide, or shows changes in behavior.

Tell the doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant, planning to be pregnant, or breastfeeding.

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with breathing difficulties.

Call your doctor right away if you notice slow or shallow breathing.

Do not share this medicine with anyone who has not been prescribed this medicine.

Some patients have serious side effects from this medicine. Ask your pharmacist to show you the information from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and discuss it with you.

Side Effects

The following is a list of some common side effects from this medicine. Please speak with your doctor about what you should do if you experience these or other side effects.

  • loss of balance
  • dizziness
  • drowsiness during daytime
  • muscle weakness
  • difficulty speaking
  • weakness

Call your doctor or get medical help right away if you notice any of these more serious side effects:

  • decreased awareness or responsiveness
  • depression or feeling sad
  • mood changes
  • temporary loss of ability to move or talk for up to several minutes while going to sleep or waking up
  • unusual behavior during sleep such as walking, talking, cooking, eating, making phone calls or driving
  • sleep walking
  • suicidal thoughts
  • unsteadiness while walking

A few people may have an allergic reaction to this medicine. Symptoms can include difficulty breathing, skin rash, itching, swelling, or severe dizziness. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical help quickly.

Please speak with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you have any questions about this medicine.

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