BEYOND THE BRAIN BLOG
  • Blog
  • Author
  • Resources
    • Bookstore
    • Downloads
    • Provider Tools
    • Patient Resources
    • Speakers & Talks
    • Ketogenic Diet
  • For Patients
  • Contact

Novel Insomnia Treatment Now Available

6/10/2015

0 Comments

 
SOURCE: MPR
February 2015

Merck announced that Belsomra (suvorexant) tablets are now available for the treatment of insomnia in adults who have difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep. Belsomra has been scheduled as a CIV controlled substance due to its abuse and dependence potential.

Belsomra is the first orexin receptor antagonist approved for the treatment of insomnia. The mechanism by which it exerts its therapeutic effect in insomnia is presumed to be through antagonism of orexin receptors. Blocking the binding of wake-promoting neuropeptides orexin A and orexin B to receptors OX1R and OX2R is thought to suppress wake drive.

Drug name: Belsomra
Generic Name and Formulations: Suvorexant 5mg, 10mg, 15mg, 20mg; tabs.
Company: Merck & Co., Inc.

Therapeutic Use: Sleep-wake disorders

Indications for BELSOMRA: Treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance.

Adult: Use lowest effective dose. Take within 30 mins of bedtime if able to get full night’s sleep (≥7hrs) before awakening. 10mg once per night; may increase if ineffective; max 20mg once daily. Concomitant moderate CYP3A inhibitors: 5mg once daily; max 10mg once daily. Effect may be delayed if taken with or soon after a meal.

Children: Not established.

Pharmacological Class: Orexin receptor antagonist.

Contraindications: Narcolepsy.

Warnings/Precautions: Monitor for somnolence and CNS depression; discontinue or reduce dose if daytime somnolence develops. Risk of next-day impairment (including impaired driving). Monitor for worsening insomnia or abnormal thinking and behavioral changes. Consider discontinuing if any complex sleep behaviors develop. Depression. Monitor for suicidal ideation. Compromised respiratory function (eg, COPD, obstructive sleep apnea). Increased risk of exposure-related effects in obese women. Reevaluate if unresponsive after 7–10 days of treatment. Severe hepatic impairment: not recommended. Drug or alcohol abusers. Pregnancy (Cat.C). Nursing mothers.

Interactions: Avoid alcohol. Potentiates CNS depression with other CNS depressants (eg, benzodiazepines, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants, alcohol); may need to adjust doses. Concomitant strong CYP3A inhibitors (eg, ketoconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, clarithromycin, nefazodone, ritonavir, saquinavir, nelfinavir, indinavir, boceprevir, telaprevir, telithromycin, conivaptan): not recommended. Concomitant moderate CYP3A inhibitors (eg, amprenavir, aprepitant, atazanavir, ciprofloxacin, diltiazem, erythromycin, fluconazole, fosamprenavir, grapefruit juice, imatinib, verapamil); use reduced dose (see Adults). May be antagonized by strong CYP3A inducers (eg, rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin). Monitor digoxin.

Adverse Reactions: Somnolence, headache, dizziness; CNS depression, daytime impairment, complex sleep-related behaviors (eg, sleep-driving), sleep paralysis, hallucinations, cataplexy-like symptoms.

Generic Availability: NO

How Supplied: Blisters—30


Picture
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture


    USEFUL LINKS

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    December 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    August 2017
    January 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013


    following

    Picture
Creative Commons License
Copyright 2013
Beyond the Brain Blog
Beyond the Brain is a not-for-profit website. We appreciate your support to continue providing more content and tools.    Donate today!
BLOG  |  AUTHOR |  RESOURCES |  FOR PATIENTS |  CONTACT  |  SUPPORT BTB