Belsomra (suvorexant) is used to treat insomnia, to help if you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, so you have have a better nights sleep. Belsomra works on orexin receptors which plays a role in wakefulness, and helps regulate your sleep and wake cycle. Belsomra is a dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs).

Belsomra is a controlled substance, Schedule IV. Schedule IV controlled substances have a low potential for drug abuse and low risk of dependence. But some patients with a history of abuse or addiction may still be at an increased risk of abuse.

Belsomra is a tablet that you take half an hour before you go to bed.

Belsomra side effects

Common Belsomra side effects include strange dreams or drowsiness during the day after taking this medicine.

Serious Belsomra side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Belsomra: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Some people using this medicine have engaged in activity while not fully awake and later had no memory of it. This may include walking, driving, eating, having sex, or making phone calls. If this happens to you, call your doctor right away.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• trouble moving or talking when you first wake up;
• a weak feeling in your legs;
• unusual thoughts or behavior;
• anxiety, agitation, depression;
• memory problems;
• confusion, hallucinations; or
• thoughts about hurting yourself.

You may be more likely to have side effects if you are overweight.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Warnings

Do not take more Belsomra than your doctor has prescribed.

You should not use Belsomra if you have narcolepsy.

Take Belsomra 30 minutes before bedtime. Never take this medicine if you do not have 7 hours to sleep before being active again.

Some people using this medicine have engaged in activity while not fully awake and later had no memory of it. If this happens to you, call your doctor right away.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Belsomra if you are allergic to suvorexant, or if you have narcolepsy.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• depression, mental illness, or thoughts about suicide;
• drug or alcohol abuse or addiction;
• breathing problems, sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep);
• liver disease;
• sudden muscle weakness;
• excessive sleepiness during normal waking hours; or
• if you have ever fallen asleep at unexpected times.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Belsomra is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take Belsomra?

Take Belsomra exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides. Never use this medicine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to use more of this medicine.

Belsomra may be habit-forming. Misuse can cause addiction, overdose, or death. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.

Take Belsomra only once per night, 30 minutes before bedtime.

You may take Belsomra with or without food. Avoid taking the medicine shortly after eating a meal, or the medicine may take longer to work.

Belsomra will make you fall asleep. Never take this medicine if you do not have 7 hours to sleep before being active again.

You may have trouble speaking or moving while you are falling asleep. It may take longer for you to wake up, speak, or move around when you wake up. You may feel like you are still dreaming for several minutes after waking.

Call your doctor if your insomnia symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse after using Belsomra for 7 to 10 nights in a row.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep track of your medicine. You should be aware if anyone is using it improperly or without a prescription.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Insomnia:

10 mg orally once a day at bedtime
Maximum dose: 20 mg once a day

Comments:
-Take within 30 minutes of going to bed, with at least 7 hours remaining before the planned time of awakening.
-If 10 mg is well-tolerated but not effective, the dose can be increased.
-Time to effect may be delayed if taken with or soon after a meal.

Use: Insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since Belsomra is taken only at bedtime if needed, you are not likely to miss a dose. Never take this medicine if you do not have 7 hours to sleep before being active again.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line .

What to avoid

For at least 8 hours after taking Belsomra, do not drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Your reactions may be impaired.

Avoid drinking alcohol. Do not take Belsomra if you have consumed alcohol within a few hours before getting ready for sleep.

What other drugs will affect Belsomra?

Using Belsomra with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Banzel is a seizure medication, also called an anti-epileptic or anticonvulsant.

Banzel is used together with other medicines to treat seizures caused by Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a severe form of childhood epilepsy that also causes developmental and behavior problems.

Banzel is for use in adults and children who are at least 1 year old.

Warnings

You should not use Banzel if you have a severe liver disease, or a genetic heart rhythm disorder called short QT syndrome.

You should not stop taking Banzel suddenly, unless your doctor tells you to stop the medicine because of a serious side effect.

Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking seizure medication. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Banzel if you are allergic to rufinamide, or if you have:

• a genetic heart rhythm disorder called short QT syndrome; or
• severe liver disease.

To make sure Banzel is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease;
• liver disease;
• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); or
• depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts or actions.

Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking Banzel. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Do not start or stop taking seizure medication during pregnancy without your doctor’s advice. Having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both mother and baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of rufinamide on the baby.

Banzel can make hormonal birth control less effective, including birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, and vaginal rings. To prevent pregnancy while using rufinamide, use a barrier form of birth control: condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, or contraceptive sponge.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Banzel should not be given to a child younger than 1 year old.

How should I take Banzel?

Take Banzel exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Take Banzel with food.

The tablet may be swallowed whole, crushed, or cut in half.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose.

Measure the liquid using the dosing syringe and bottle adapter provided with this medicine. Insert the adapter into the bottle and snap it into place. Insert the syringe into the adapter and turn the bottle upside down. To measure your dose, pull the plunger to the correct number of milliliters marked on the side of the syringe. Rinse the syringe with water after each use.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Call your doctor if your seizures get worse or you have them more often while taking Banzel.

You should not stop using Banzel suddenly, unless your doctor tells you to stop the medicine because of a serious side effect. Stopping suddenly may cause increased seizures. Follow your doctor’s instructions very carefully.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Store the liquid medicine in an upright position. Do not try to remove the bottle adapter once it is in place. Throw away Banzel liquid 90 days after you first opened the bottle, even if there is medicine left inside.

In case of emergency, wear or carry medical identification to let others know you use rufinamide.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome:

Initial dose: 400 to 800 mg orally per day in 2 equally divided doses
-Titrate in 400 to 800 mg increments every other day until a maximum daily dose of 3200 mg/day is reached
Maintenance dose: 1600 mg orally twice a day

Comments:
-It is not known if doses lower than 3200 mg/day are effective.
-For patients concomitantly receiving valproate, initial doses should be lower; see dose adjustments section.

Use: For adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome:

1 year of age or older:
Initial dose: 10 mg/kg/day orally in 2 equally divided doses
-Titrate in 10 mg/kg increments every other day to a target dose of 45 mg/kg/day
Maintenance dose: 45 mg/kg orally per day in 2 equally divided doses
Maximum dose: 3200 mg/day

Comments:
-It is not known if doses lower than 45 mg/kg (not to exceed 3200 mg/day) are effective.
-For patients concomitantly receiving valproate, initial doses should be lower; see dose adjustments section.

Use: For adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome in pediatric patients 1 year of age and older

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line .

What to avoid

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of rufinamide.

Banzel side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Banzel: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Seek medical treatment if you have a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, severe weakness, unusual bruising, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, irritable, hyperactive, talkative, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• loss of balance or coordination;
• trouble walking; or
• worsening or increased seizures.

Common Banzel side effects may include:

• headache;
• dizziness, drowsiness;
• nausea; or
• feeling tired.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

What other drugs will affect Banzel?

Using Banzel with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• valproic acid (Depakene, Stavzor).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with rufinamide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.