Taking BELSOMRA

Finding the right dose

The Recommended Dose of BELSOMRA® (suvorexant) C-IV is 10 mg

The recommended dose is 10 mg.*

*5 mg is the recommended dose for certain patients, and these patients should generally not exceed 10 mg.

Your insomnia is as individual as you are, and medicines work differently for different people, so BELSOMRA comes in multiple strengths.

Tell your doctor if you’re still not sleeping well with 10 mg.* If your current dose is well tolerated and you’re not getting the sleep you want, your doctor may suggest that you increase your dose. Do not take more than 20 mg of BELSOMRA in 1 day.

Contact Your Doctor if Your Insomnia Worsens or is not Better Within 7 to 10 Days

Contact your doctor if your insomnia worsens or is not better within 7 to 10 days, as another condition may be causing your sleep problem.

How to take BELSOMRA

Take proactive steps to wind down and prepare your environment for sleep before you take BELSOMRA. Here are some important instructions you should follow when taking BELSOMRA:

  • Take BELSOMRA exactly as your doctor tells you to take it.
  • Only take BELSOMRA 1 time each night, if needed, within 30 minutes of going to bed.
  • Only take BELSOMRA when you can get a full night’s sleep (at least 7 hours).
  • Do not take BELSOMRA if you drank alcohol that evening or before bed.
  • BELSOMRA may be taken with or without a meal. However, BELSOMRA may take longer to work if you take it with or right after meals.
  • Call your doctor if your insomnia (sleep problem) worsens or is not better within 7 to 10 days. This may mean that there is another condition causing your sleep problem.
  • If you take too much BELSOMRA, call your doctor right away or get emergency treatment.

For more information, see "How Should I Take BELSOMRA?” below in Selected Risk Information.

What to expect when starting BELSOMRA at your recommended dose

The way you feel when you fall asleep with BELSOMRA may be different from what you have experienced in the past or what you expected. Therefore, it is important to give BELSOMRA an adequate trial period. Try BELSOMRA for a few nights to a week to see how it works for you.

What to Expect When Taking BELSOMRA® (suvorexant) C-IV at Your Recommended Dose

Learn about the Savings Offer & Free Trial

Savings Coupon for BELSOMRA® (suvorexant) C-IV Savings Coupon for BELSOMRA*

*Not all patients are eligible. Certain restrictions apply. Please see Terms and Conditions.

Free Trial Offer for BELSOMRA® (suvorexant) C-IV Free Trial Offer for BELSOMRA†

†Not all patients are eligible. Certain restrictions apply. Please see Terms and Conditions.

*Not all patients are eligible. Certain restrictions apply. Please see Terms and Conditions.

†Not all patients are eligible. Certain restrictions apply. Please see Terms and Conditions.

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POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

Selected Risk Information

BELSOMRA may cause decreased awareness and alertness. The morning after you take BELSOMRA, your ability to drive safely and think clearly may be decreased. You may also have sleepiness during the day.

  • Do not take more BELSOMRA than prescribed.
  • Do not take BELSOMRA unless you are able to stay in bed a full night (at least 7 hours) before you must be active again.
  • Take BELSOMRA within 30 minutes of going to bed.

BELSOMRA may cause serious side effects, including:

  • worsening depression or suicidal thoughts and actions. Call your doctor right away if you have any worsening depression or thoughts of suicide or dying.
  • complex sleep behaviors, including sleep-walking, sleep-driving or other activities while not fully awake. Call your doctor right away if you experience a complex sleep behavior.
  • temporary inability to move or talk (sleep paralysis) for up to several minutes while you are going to sleep or waking up.
  • temporary weakness in your legs that can happen during the day or at night.

Do not take BELSOMRA if you fall asleep often at unexpected times (narcolepsy).

BELSOMRA is a controlled substance because it can be abused or cause dependence.

Before taking BELSOMRA, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have a history of depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts
  • have a history of drug or alcohol abuse or addiction
  • have a history of a sudden onset of muscle weakness (cataplexy)
  • have a history of falling asleep often at unexpected times (narcolepsy) or daytime sleepiness
  • have lung or breathing problems
  • have liver problems
  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
  • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

Medicines can interact with each other, sometimes causing serious side effects. Do not take BELSOMRA with other medicines that can make you sleepy unless your doctor tells you to.

Do not drink alcohol while taking BELSOMRA. It can increase your chances of getting serious side effects.

Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, do anything dangerous, or do other activities that require clear thinking after taking BELSOMRA.

You may still feel drowsy the next day after taking BELSOMRA. Do not drive or do other dangerous activities until you feel fully awake.

The most common side effect of BELSOMRA is sleepiness the next day after you take BELSOMRA.

How Should I Take BELSOMRA?

  • Take BELSOMRA exactly as your doctor tells you to take it.
  • Only take BELSOMRA 1 time each night, if needed, within 30 minutes of going to bed.
  • Only take BELSOMRA when you can get a full night’s sleep (at least 7 hours).
  • Do not take BELSOMRA if you drank alcohol that evening or before bed.
  • BELSOMRA may be taken with or without a meal. However, BELSOMRA may take longer to work if you take it with or right after meals.
  • Call your doctor if your insomnia (sleep problem) worsens or is not better within 7 to 10 days. This may mean that there is another condition causing your sleep problem.
  • If you take too much BELSOMRA, call your doctor right away or get emergency treatment.

Please read the accompanying Medication Guide for BELSOMRA and discuss it with your doctor. The physician Prescribing Information also is available.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Having trouble paying for your Merck medicine? Merck may be able to help. Visit merckhelps.com.