Belsomra, also called suvorexant, is a drug used to control wake and sleep cycle. It is recommended for the patients of insomnia (a disease in which one cannot sleep). Narcoleptic patients should not be recommended with this drug.
How Effective is Belsomra in Treating Insomnia?
Belsomra is effectively used to treat patients of insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance. Belsomra is not recommended to the patients allergic to suvorexant or to the narcoleptic patients. If Belsomra is used for a long time it can be habit-forming. Thus it can cause addiction. So, do not share this drug with others, especially somebody having a past of addiction or drug abuse. So, always store Belsomra where others can’t get access to it.
Precautions While Using Belsomra:
- Do not do any sort of activity which demands full attention and alertness if it is before at least 8 hours after intake of this drug.
- Belsomra can cause adverse effects like change in your thoughts or reactions or mood. Moreover, you will also feel sleepy in the morning even after you slept 7_8 hours. Be vigilant, if you are to do some activity requiring full alertness such as driving or operating some sort of machinery.
- Do not use beverages during its course, because it can severe some of the side effects of this drug like drowsiness etc.
- While using Belsomra, do not use other medications also causing sleep (like analgesics, muscle relaxants, cold medicine, and medications used to treat anxiety or depression etc.).
- Follow your doctor’s advice strictly regarding restrictions on any sort of food, beverages or activities while using this.
If You are to Use Belsomra, You Must Tell the Doctor:
- If you had a past of depression or suicidal thoughts.
- If you had sleep apnea (a condition in which breathlessness suddenly develops while sleeping and person suddenly sit up).
- If you had COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or other breathing complications etc.
- It is also suspected to be teratogenic so give your doctor the information regarding pregnancy or plan to become pregnant while taking this drug.
- It is also suspected to pass in mother milk so if the baby is fed on mother milk them there is possibility of harmful consequences for that baby.
- Belsomra is not recommended to anyone younger than 18 years of age.
What is the Recommended Dosage of Belsomra?
Usual Adult Dose of Belsomra for Insomnia:
Maintenance dose: Belsomra 10 mg taken orally once every 24 hours at bedtime.
Maximum dose of Belsomra: It is 20 mg taken orally once every 24 hours.
- It should be used within 30 minutes of going to bed, with at the minimum 7 hours before the time planned to wake up.
- If 10 mg of Belsomra is not much effective but it is easily tolerable in such patients, then one can increase the dose.
- Its time of action can be delayed when used with or soon after a meal.
How Safe is Belsomra in Treating Insomnia?
The use of Belsomra is safe for the treatment of insomnia. Seek emergency medical aid if you develop symptoms of allergy on its use such as hives, swelling of face, difficulty in breathing, swollen lips, tongue or throat etc. If such happens, immediately stop it’s use and consult with your doctor.
Also stop taking this and consult your doctor if you develop:
- Unusual behavior or thoughts
- Thoughts about hurting oneself
- Hallucinations etc…
Side Effects of Belsomra Can Become More Adverse if You are Obese. Usual Belsomra Side Effects are:
- Drowsiness
- Weakness
- Feelings of being drugged.
- Feelings of being light-headed.
- Dizziness
- Amnesia
- Strange dreams
- Odd weak feeling in your legs.
