Uses
What is Sunosi used for?
Sunosi (solriamfetol) is commonly used to improve wakefulness in people with excessive daytime sleepiness caused by the following conditions.
- Narcolepsy, which is a disorder that causes you to fall asleep at unexpected times
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is a disorder that affects your breathing while you sleep at night and can make you sleepier during the day
Learn more about How Sunosi Works for Daytime Sleepiness.
Sunosi may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does Sunosi work (mechanism of action)?
Sunosi helps you to feel more awake during the day. It may work by increasing the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. These natural chemicals play a role in regulating the body’s sleep cycle.
How is Sunosi supplied (dosage forms)?
Sunosi is available in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.
- 75 mg oral tablets
- 150 mg oral tablets
How should I store Sunosi?
Sunosi should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a safe place, away from children and pets, like a locked cabinet.
If you need to throw away Sunosi, bring it to a medicine take-back program at an authorized collection site, such as a pharmacy or police station. If no take-back program is available, mix it with a nontoxic and unattractive substance, such as dirt, cat litter, or used coffee grounds and place it in a container like a sealed plastic bag. Throw away the mixture in household trash.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of Sunosi?
The most common side effects of Sunosi are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Headache
- Nausea
- Decreased appetite
- Trouble sleeping
- Anxiety
There may be other side effects of Sunosi that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of Sunosi?
While less common, the most serious side effects of Sunosi are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Sunosi may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Sunosi and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Increased Blood Pressure and Heart Rate. Sunosi can increase your blood pressure and heart rate. This may increase your risk of a stroke, heart attack, or death. Keep all appointments with your healthcare provider to check your blood pressure and heart rate before you start Sunosi and during treatment. Get medical attention right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms of high blood pressure or a fast heart rate.
- You measure your blood pressure and the top number (systolic) is 180 mm Hg or higher or the bottom number (diastolic) is 120 mm Hg or higher
- Your heart rate is faster than 100 beats per minute for more than a few minutes while at rest
- Sudden severe headache
- Chest pain
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or confusion
- Trouble breathing
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blurry or other changes to vision
- Anxiety
- Buzzing in the ears
- Nosebleed
- Heart palpitations or feeling of skipped or extra heartbeats
- Racing heart
Mental Symptoms. Sunosi can cause mental symptoms. Contact your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms.
- Trouble sleeping
- Irritability
- Agitation or restlessness
- Anxiety or nervousness
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use Sunosi?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Sunosi.
- Sunosi
- Solriamfetol
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Sunosi.
Drug Interactions. Sunosi should not be taken while you are using or within 14 days after stopping certain other medicines. Before taking Sunosi, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using or have recently used. See the Interactions section for more details.
Severe Kidney Problems. Sunosi should not be taken if you have severe kidney problems, such as end-stage renal disease (ESRD). If there is a concern about the health of your kidneys, your healthcare provider may do tests to determine if they are working well enough to take this medicine.
What should I know about Sunosi before using it?
Do not take Sunosi unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Only take Sunosi if you plan to be awake for 9 hours before bedtime. It may be hard for you to sleep if you take it too late in the day. You can take Sunosi with or without food.
Do not share Sunosi with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep Sunosi out of the reach of children. Sunosi is a controlled substance because it can be misused. Store Sunosi in a safe place to protect it from theft. It is illegal to sell or give away this medicine.
If you have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you still need to use your treatments that help nighttime breathing, like continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Sunosi does not treat nighttime breathing issues caused by OSA.
Depending on your dose, you may only need to take half of the Sunosi tablet. Some Sunosi tablets have a score line in the middle of the tablet so it is easier to split in half. Talk to your pharmacist or other healthcare provider to find out if you need to split your tablet in half before taking it and how to split it correctly.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using Sunosi?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using or have used in the past 14 days. This will help them determine if Sunosi is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Substance Use Disorder. Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of a drug or alcohol use disorder. Sunosi is a controlled substance and may be misused.
Other Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- High blood pressure
- Fast heart rate
- Heart problems, including a prior heart attack, heart disease, or an abnormal heart rhythm
- Prior stroke
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Kidney problems
- Mental health conditions, such as psychosis (losing touch with reality) or bipolar disorder
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Sunosi could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Sunosi, you can register for the Sunosi Pregnancy Registry by calling 877-283-6220 or at www.SunosiPregnancyRegistry.com. This registry collects safety information about the use of Sunosi during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding. Sunosi passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take Sunosi while breastfeeding. Your healthcare provider may recommend watching for certain side effects in your baby if you take Sunosi while breastfeeding.
How can I get more information about Sunosi?
For more information about Sunosi, you can visit the manufacturer’s website at www.sunosi.com or call them at 800-484-1672.
Interactions
Does Sunosi interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between Sunosi and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Sunosi.
Does Sunosi interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you’re using any of the following before taking Sunosi.
- A monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past 2 weeks, which is a medicine usually used for depression or Parkinson’s disease
- Any other medicine that can increase blood pressure or heart rate, including methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine, or amphetamine, which are commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- A medicine that affects dopamine, such as pramipexole (Mirapex ER), ropinirole, rotigotine (Neupro), or apomorphine (Apokyn), which may be used for Parkinson’s disease or restless legs syndrome (RLS)
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Sunosi. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much Sunosi?
If you or someone else has used too much Sunosi, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
What should I do if I miss a dose of Sunosi?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember on the same day as the missed dose. Sunosi should be taken 9 hours before your planned bedtime, or it may make it harder to sleep. Do not take double or extra doses.