How does this medication work? What will it do for me?
Solriamfetol belongs to the class of medications called psychoanaleptics. It is used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness for adults who have narcolepsy or sleep apnea. Narcolepsy is a condition where you suddenly and unexpectedly feel very sleepy throughout the day. Sleep apnea is condition where your breathing stops for short periods of time when you are sleeping. This medication is believed to work by increasing the chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.
This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
75 mg
Each yellow to dark yellow/orange oblong tablet with "75" on one side and a score line on the opposite side contains 75 mg of solriamfetol. Nonmedicinal ingredients: hydroxypropyl cellulose and magnesium stearate; film coating: iron oxide yellow, polyethylene glycol (Macrogol), polyvinyl alcohol, talc, and titanium dioxide.
150 mg
Each yellow oblong tablet with "150" on one side contains 150 mg of solriamfetol. Nonmedicinal ingredients: hydroxypropyl cellulose and magnesium stearate; film coating: iron oxide yellow, polyethylene glycol (Macrogol), polyvinyl alcohol, talc, and titanium dioxide.
How should I use this medication?
The recommended dose of solriamfetol for adults with narcolepsy is 75 mg taken by mouth, once daily, in the morning. Depending on your response and side effects, the dose may be increased to 150 mg daily after several days.
To treat daytime sleepiness for people with obstructive sleep apnea, the recommended starting dose is 37.5 mg once daily when you wake up. The dose may be gradually increased to a maximum daily dose of 150 mg daily.
Solriamfetol should be taken in the morning when you wake up. Avoid taking your dose within 9 hours of your planned bedtime. Taking solriamfetol too late in the day may make it harder to fall asleep.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is less than 9 hours before bedtime, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Store this medication at room temperature in the original container to protect the medication from moisture. Discard any remaining medication 4 months after opening the container. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.
Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Do not take this medication if you:
- are allergic to solriamfetol or any ingredients of the medication
- are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI; moclobemide, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine) in the past 14 days
- have had a heart attack within the past year
- have a history of angina, uncontrolled high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or other serious heart problems
- have end-stage renal disease
What side effects are possible with this medication?
Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.
The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.
Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.
- back pain
- clenching or grinding teeth
- cold symptoms (e.g., sore throat, runny or stuffy nose)
- constipation
- cough
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- headache
- irritability
- loss of appetite
- muscle aches and pains
- nausea
- sinus infection
- stiff joints
- stomach pain
- sweating
- trouble sleeping
- vomiting
- weight loss
Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
- anxiety
- agitation
- chest pain
- fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
- fever
- increased blood pressure
- increased frequency of urination
- increased heart rate
- memory problems
- panic attacks
Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:
- signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)
Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Abuse and dependence: People with a history of past or current substance use problems, particularly with stimulant medication, may be at greater risk of developing abuse or addiction while taking this medication. If you have a history of problems with drug use, discuss this with your doctor.
Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Solriamfetol may not completely reduce sleepiness.
Avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing other potentially hazardous tasks until you have determined how you are affected by this medication.
Glaucoma: This medication may cause the symptoms of glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye) to become worse. If you have glaucoma, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Report any changes in vision to your doctor as soon as possible while you are taking this medication.
High blood pressure: Solriamfetol can cause increased blood pressure and heart rate. If you have high blood pressure or are at risk of developing high blood pressure, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Kidney function: Decreased kidney function or kidney disease may cause this medication to build up in the body causing side effects. People with decreased kidney function are more likely to experience increases in blood pressure with this medication.
Mental health problems: Some people taking solriamfetol may experience anxiety, agitation, and irritability. If you have a history of mental health problems, including psychosis or bipolar disorder, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if solriamfetol passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.
Seniors: Seniors may be more at risk of experiencing side effects from solriamfetol.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
There may be an interaction between solriamfetol and any of the following:
- abiraterone
- amphetamines (e.g., dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine, )
- anti-Parkinson medications (e.g., amantadine, apomorphine, bromocriptine, levodopa, pramipexole, ropinirole, rotigotine)
- apalutamide
- beta-2 agonists (e.g., formoterol, olodaterol, salbutamol, salmeterol)
- bevacizumab
- busulfan
- caffeine
- darbepoetin alfa
- decongestant cold medications (e.g., phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine)
- decongestant eye drops and nose sprays (e.g., naphazoline, oxymetazoline, xylometazoline)
- dexmethylphenidate
- eculizumab
- epinephrine
- esketamine
- methylphenidate
- mifepristone
- modafinil
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs; e.g., moclobemide, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine)
- protein kinase inhibitors (e.g., axitinib, dasatinib, ibrutinib, pazopanib, ponatinib, regorafenib, sorafenib, sunitinib, vandetanib, vemurafenib)
- sargramostim
- sirolimus
- tacrolimus
- theophyllines (e.g., aminophylline, oxtriphylline, theophylline)
If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:
- stop taking one of the medications,
- change one of the medications to another,
- change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
- leave everything as is.
An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.
Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.
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