How to take BELSOMRA

Finding the right dose of BELSOMRA

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

Your doctor may prescribe the recommended dose of 10 mg*. 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.

How to 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.
  • 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.

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

What to expect when you start taking BELSOMRA

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.

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.

Learn about special offers for BELSOMRA

Savings coupon for BELSOMRA

Savings coupon for BELSOMRA

Eligible, privately insured patients may save on their out-of-pocket costs for their prescription for BELSOMRA. Not valid for patients who are uninsured or patients with Medicare or other Government Program insurance.

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

Free Trial Offer for BELSOMRA

Free Trial Offer for BELSOMRA

If you and your doctor decide that BELSOMRA is right for you, you may be eligible to receive a free trial offer.

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

Explore related topics

What is insomnia?

What is insomnia?

What is BELSOMRA?

What is BELSOMRA?

Possible side effects

Possible side effects

voucherTC

Terms and Conditions

  • The voucher is valid for 1 free 10‑tablet trial supply per valid strength of BELSOMRA.
  • The voucher is not valid for the 5‑mg strength of BELSOMRA.
  • Limit 1 voucher per patient per valid strength for the duration of the program. Patients who have previously redeemed a voucher for any strength of BELSOMRA are not eligible to redeem the voucher for that strength.
  • Free trial offer is valid only for up to a 10-tablet trial supply of BELSOMRA. No purchase is necessary. Refills are not required.
  • The voucher is not transferable. No substitutions are permitted. The offer cannot be combined with any other free trial, coupon, discount, prescription savings card, or other offer.
  • The voucher is not insurance.
  • Subject to changes in state law, this voucher may become invalid for residents of Massachusetts prior to its expiration date.
  • You must be 18 years of age or older to redeem the voucher. Patient, pharmacist, and prescriber agree not to seek reimbursement for all or any part of the benefit received by the recipient through the offer. The free trial supply cannot be used toward any out‑of‑pocket costs under any plan (such as true out-of-pocket expense [TrOOP]).
  • The voucher can be used only by eligible residents of the United States or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico at participating eligible retail pharmacies in the United States or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Product must originate in the United States or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
  • The voucher is the property of Merck and must be turned in on request.
  • It is illegal to sell, purchase, trade, or counterfeit or offer to sell, purchase, trade, or counterfeit the voucher. Void if reproduced. Void where prohibited by law, taxed, or restricted.
  • Merck reserves the right to rescind, revoke, or amend the offer at any time without notice.
  • Data related to your redemption of the voucher may be collected, analyzed, and shared with Merck, for market research and other purposes related to assessing voucher programs. Data shared with Merck will be aggregated and de-identified, meaning it will be combined with data related to other voucher redemptions and will not identify you.
  • Expiration Date: 10/31/2023.
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About BELSOMRA

BELSOMRA is a prescription medicine for adults who have trouble falling or staying asleep (insomnia). It is not known if BELSOMRA is safe and effective in children under the age of 18 years.

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.

About BELSOMRA (suvorexant) C-IV

BELSOMRA is a prescription medicine for adults who have trouble falling or staying asleep (insomnia). It is not known if BELSOMRA is safe and effective in children under the age of 18 years.

BELSOMRA is a prescription medicine for adults who have trouble falling or staying asleep (insomnia).

BELSOMRA is a prescription medicine for adults who have trouble falling or staying asleep (insomnia). It is not known if BELSOMRA is safe and effective in children under the age of 18 years.

Selected Risk Information for BELSOMRA (suvorexant) C-IV

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.

BELSOMRA may cause decreased awareness and alertness. The morning after you take BELSOMRA, your ability to drive safely and think

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.