Key takeaway

  • Sunosi (solriamfetol) is a prescription drug used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness related to narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea in certain adults.
  • Sunosi comes as a tablet to be taken once daily, typically upon waking.
  • Sunosi may interact with other drugs, including MAOIs, certain decongestants, and stimulants.

The active ingredient in Sunosi is solriamfetol. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work. Sunosi isn’t available as a generic drug.

Sunosi is used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness related to narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea in certain adults.

What is narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is a condition that causes atypical sleep. This can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness and “sleep attacks” (an overwhelming urge to fall asleep).

Symptoms of narcolepsy can include:

What is obstructive sleep apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by narrowing of the airways during sleep, which cuts off breathing. This leads to poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness.

Symptoms of OSA can include:

  • loud snoring
  • gasping, choking, or snorting during sleep
  • morning headache
  • waking repeatedly during the night
  • forgetfulness

Note: Sunosi is not used to treat the airway obstruction that causes OSA. Before taking Sunosi, people with OSA should receive airway obstruction treatment for at least 1 month. An example of this kind of treatment is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Treatment for airway obstruction should continue while taking Sunosi.

How Sunosi works

Sunosi is a kind of drug called a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. This means it blocks the hormones dopamine and norepinephrine from being stored in the brain. Sunosi’s mechanism of action (the way a drug works) for treating excessive daytime sleepiness isn’t fully understood. But it’s believed to improve wakefulness and energy by increasing levels of these hormones in the body.

Like most drugs, Sunosi may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists that follow describe some of the more common side effects that Sunosi may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind

The side effects of a drug can depend on:

  • your age
  • other health conditions you have
  • other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can also tell you more about the potential side effects of Sunosi and suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a short list of some of the mild side effects that Sunosi can cause. To learn about other mild side effects of the drug, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Sunosi’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Sunosi that have been reported include:

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Sunosi can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Sunosi, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Sunosi that have been reported include:

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Sunosi. While allergic reactions weren’t reported in studies of the drug, they have happened since the drug became available on the market.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause difficulty breathing.

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Sunosi. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

The cost of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Sunosi and modafinil are similar medications. They’re both prescribed to treat excessive daytime sleepiness related to narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea in certain adults. In addition, modafinil may be used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness related to shift work disorder.

The active ingredient in Sunosi is solriamfetol. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Modafinil is the active ingredient in Provigil. It’s also the generic version of Provigil.

Sunosi and modafinil can cause similar side effects, including headache, nausea, and anxiety. But they may cause some different side effects as well. They also have different interactions with other medications.

For information about possible drug interactions with Sunosi, see the “What should be considered before taking Sunosi?” section.

If you’re prescribed Sunosi, you may wonder how it compares with similar medications, such as Adderall.

Both Sunosi and Adderall may be prescribed to ease excessive daytime sleepiness in people with narcolepsy. While Sunosi is prescribed only to adults for this purpose, Adderall may be prescribed to treat this condition in adults and some children.

The active ingredient in Sunosi is solriamfetol, and the active ingredients in Adderall are amphetamine and dextroamphetamine. Active ingredients are what make drugs work.

Sunosi and Adderall may cause some of the same side effects, including difficulty sleeping and appetite loss. But they can cause others as well.

To learn more about how Sunosi and Adderall compare, see the comparison in this article. Your doctor can also tell you more about these drugs.

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Sunosi.

Yes, Sunosi is a controlled substance. This means the U.S. government has special regulations for how this drug is prescribed and taken. Sunosi is regulated this way because it has the potential to be misused. With misuse, a drug is used in a way other than how it’s prescribed.

To learn more, see the “Can Sunosi be misused?” section. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the risk of misuse with Sunosi.

Sunosi is not known to cause weight gain. But it’s possible the drug may cause weight loss.

Though rare, weight loss was reported in some studies of Sunosi. But it’s not known for sure whether the drug causes this side effect.

Appetite loss is a known side effect of Sunosi, and it can lead to weight loss.

If you’re concerned about your weight, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ways for you to maintain a weight that’s healthy for you.

No, Sunosi isn’t a stimulant.

Stimulants are medications that increase levels of the brain hormones dopamine and norepinephrine. For example, amphetamines, such as amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall) and methylphenidate (Ritalin, Ritalin LA), are kinds of stimulants.

Sunosi works differently to affect dopamine and norepinephrine in your brain, though its mechanism of action (how it works) is unclear.

For more information about how Sunosi compares with stimulants to treat your condition, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Your doctor will recommend the Sunosi dosage that’s right for you. This section describes commonly prescribed dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form

Sunosi comes as a tablet you swallow.

Recommended Sunosi dosing

You’ll take Sunosi once per day. It’s recommended that you take it as soon as you wake up.

Questions about Sunosi’s dosage

Here are some common questions about Sunosi’s dosage.

  • What if I miss a dose of Sunosi? If you miss a dose of Sunosi, just skip the missed dose. Taking Sunosi too late in your day could cause difficulty sleeping. Take your next dose the next day as usual. Do not take more than one dose of Sunosi to make up for a missed dose.
  • Will I need to take Sunosi long term? If you and your doctor agree that Sunosi is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take the medication long term.
  • How long does it take for Sunosi to work? Sunosi begins working as soon as you take a dose. In studies, people saw their symptoms easing within the first week of taking the drug.

Before you begin treatment with Sunosi, it’s important to discuss certain aspects of your health with your doctor. These include any medical conditions you have and any medications you take. This information helps them determine whether Sunosi is a good treatment option for you.

Interactions

Taking certain medication with vaccines, foods, and other substances can affect how the medication works. These effects are called interactions.

Before taking Sunosi, be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you take, including prescription and over-the-counter kinds. Also, describe any vitamins, herbs, or supplements you use. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you about any interactions these items may cause with Sunosi.

For information about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings” section.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

Sunosi can interact with several kinds of drugs. These include:

This list does not contain all kinds of drugs that may interact with Sunosi. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about these interactions and any others that may occur with Sunosi.

Warnings

Sunosi may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. These are known as drug-condition interactions. Other factors may also affect whether Sunosi is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Sunosi. Factors to consider include the following:

Sunosi and alcohol

There’s no known interaction between drinking alcohol and taking Sunosi.

If you have questions about consuming alcohol while taking Sunosi, talk with your doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether it’s safe to take Sunosi during pregnancy. If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this drug while pregnant.

If you and your doctor decide you’ll take Sunosi while pregnant, consider joining the Sunosi pregnancy registry. Pregnancy registries help collect information on the safety of using medications while pregnant. You can learn more about the Sunosi pregnancy registry by calling 877-283-6220 or visiting this website.

A small study of six women found that Sunosi may pass into breast milk. But it’s not known whether Sunosi causes side effects in a child who is breastfed by someone taking the drug. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about safe feeding options for your child during Sunosi treatment.

Your doctor will explain how you should take Sunosi. They’ll also explain how much to take and how often. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.

Questions for your doctor

You may have questions about Sunosi and your treatment plan. It’s important to discuss all your concerns with your doctor.

Here are a few tips that might help guide your discussion:

  • Before your appointment, write down questions such as:
    • How will Sunosi affect my body, mood, or lifestyle?
  • Bring someone with you to your appointment if doing so will help you feel more comfortable.
  • If you don’t understand something related to your condition or treatment, ask your doctor to explain it to you.

Remember, your doctor and other healthcare professionals are available to help you. And they want you to get the best care possible. So don’t be afraid to ask questions or offer feedback on your treatment.

According to studies, Sunosi has a risk of misuse. Misuse means to use a drug in a way other than how it’s prescribed. This is different from dependence, in which the body needs a drug in order to function correctly. Sunosi isn’t known to cause dependence. The drug is also not known to cause withdrawal symptoms in people who stop the drug suddenly.

People who took more than the recommended doses of Sunosi reported feelings of relaxation. This suggests the drug may be misused by some in an attempt to feel “high.”

Due to this risk, it’s important to let your doctor know if you have a substance use disorder or have been treated for one in the past. They’ll discuss with you whether it’s safe for you to take Sunosi. If you do take Sunosi, they’ll monitor you more closely for any signs of Sunosi misuse.

Do not take more Sunosi than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this may lead to serious side effects.

What to do in case you take too much Sunosi

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Sunosi. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach Poison Help or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

Sunosi may help reduce excessive daytime sleepiness in adults with narcolepsy or OSA. To determine if it’s the right option for you, work closely with your healthcare professional to manage your condition.

Disclaimer: While Healthline strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.