Frequently Asked Questions
For answers to questions you may have, select any of the topics below. To see a complete list of FAQs, scroll down.
BELSOMRA®
(suvorexant) 5, 10, 15, 20 mg tablets, for oral use, C-IV
For answers to questions you may have, select any of the topics below. To see a complete list of FAQs, scroll down.
BELSOMRA is indicated for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance.
Use the lowest dose effective for the patient. For all BELSOMRA doses, take no more than once per night within 30 minutes of going to bed (with at least 7 hours remaining prior to planned awakening). Time to effect of BELSOMRA may be delayed if taken with or soon after a meal.
The recommended dose for BELSOMRA is 10 mg, taken no more than once per night. If the 10 mg dose is well-tolerated but not effective, the dose can be increased. The maximum recommended dose of BELSOMRA is 20 mg taken no more than once per night.
Exposure to BELSOMRA is increased in obese compared to non-obese patients, and in women compared to men. Particularly in obese women, the increased risk of exposure-related adverse effects should be considered before increasing the dose.
When BELSOMRA is combined with other CNS depressant drugs, dosage reduction of BELSOMRA and/or the other drug(s) may be necessary because of potentially additive effects.
When used with moderate CYP3A inhibitors, the recommended dosage of BELSOMRA is 5 mg taken no more than once per night (the dose generally should not exceed 10 mg). BELSOMRA is not recommended for use with strong CYP3A inhibitors.
Before prescribing BELSOMRA, please read the Prescribing Information. The Medication Guide also is available.
BELSOMRA is contraindicated in patients with narcolepsy.
See the Prescribing Information for BELSOMRA for the information needed to use BELSOMRA safely and effectively.
The most common adverse reaction (reported in 5% or more of patients treated with BELSOMRA and at least twice the placebo rate) with BELSOMRA was somnolence.
See the Prescribing Information for BELSOMRA for the information needed to use BELSOMRA safely and effectively.
Yes. Your eligible, privately insured patients may save on their out-of-pocket prescription costs for BELSOMRA, paying as little as $30 per prescription on each of up to 12 qualifying prescriptions. Maximum savings is $150 per prescription.
Your patients can visit Belsomra.com to request a coupon, and if eligible, activate and bring it to their pharmacy along with their prescription.
Not valid for patients who are uninsured or patients with Medicare or other Government Program insurance. Not all patients are eligible. Certain restrictions apply. Tell your eligible, privately insured patients to visit Belsomra.com to review the Terms and Conditions.
Also, eligible health care professionals may request coupons for BELSOMRA for use with their eligible patients.
BELSOMRA is an orexin receptor antagonist indicated for the treatment of insomnia, characterized by difficulties with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance.
BELSOMRA contains suvorexant, a Schedule IV controlled substance.
Yes. BELSOMRA contains suvorexant, a Schedule IV controlled substance.
In clinical trials with BELSOMRA, there was no evidence for physical dependence with the prolonged use of BELSOMRA.
Abuse of BELSOMRA poses an increased risk of somnolence, daytime sleepiness, impaired reaction time, and impaired driving skills. Patients at risk for abuse may include those with prolonged use of BELSOMRA, those with a history of drug abuse, and those who use BELSOMRA in combination with alcohol or other abused drugs.
BELSOMRA contains suvorexant, an orexin receptor antagonist. Orexin is one of the neurotransmitters that play a role in wakefulness. It reinforces the activity of other wake-promoting neurotransmitters.1 Blocking orexin receptors is thought to suppress wake drive. BELSOMRA has no appreciable binding affinity at acetylcholine, dopamine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), histamine, melatonin, noradrenaline, opiate, or serotonin receptors.2,3 Antagonism of orexin receptors may also underlie potential adverse effects such as signs of narcolepsy/cataplexy. Genetic mutations in the orexin system in animals result in hereditary narcolepsy; loss of orexin neurons has been reported in humans with narcolepsy.
Yes. A clinical trial was conducted on BELSOMRA in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease for the treatment of insomnia. To learn more about the study design and results, click the link below.
View study data on insomnia in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease
BELSOMRA received FDA approval in August 2014.
Your patients can visit Belsomra.com to find product information and resources.
Check the formulary status of BELSOMRA for your patient’s insurance plan.
See formulary coverage for BELSOMRA
1. Sakurai T. The neural circuit of orexin (hypocretin): maintaining sleep and wakefulness. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2007;8(3):171–181.
2. Winrow CJ, Gotter AL, Cox CD, et al. Promotion of sleep by suvorexant—a novel dual orexin receptor antagonist. J Neurogenet. 2011;25(1–2):52–61.
3. Data available on request from Merck Professional Services-DAP, WP1, PO Box 4, West Point, PA 19486-0004. Please specify information package US-IMA-01361.
BELSOMRA® (suvorexant) is indicated for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance.
Before prescribing BELSOMRA, please read the Prescribing Information. The Medication Guide also is available.