Dayvigo (lemborexant) is prescribed for use in certain adults who have insomnia (trouble sleeping). It comes as a tablet that you swallow, and it’s typically taken at bedtime.

Dayvigo’s active ingredient, lemborexant, belongs to a group of drugs called orexin receptor antagonists. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Dayvigo helps you sleep by blocking orexin (a brain chemical) from sending signals to your body to wake up.

Read on to learn more about Dayvigo.

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

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

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

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

Mild side effects

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

Mild side effects of Dayvigo that have been reported include:

  • drowsiness
  • headache
  • unusual dreams or nightmares

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 Dayvigo can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Dayvigo, 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 Dayvigo that have been reported include:

* For more information about this side effect, see the “Side effect focus” section below.

SUICIDE PREVENTION

If you think someone is at immediate risk of self-harm or hurting another person:

  • Call 911 or your local emergency number.
  • Stay with the person until help arrives.
  • Remove any guns, knives, medications, or other things that may cause harm.
  • Listen, but don’t judge, argue, threaten, or yell.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, get help from a crisis or suicide prevention hotline. Try the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.

Side effect focus

Learn more about some of the side effects Dayvigo may cause.

Sleep paralysis

Taking Dayvigo may cause sleep paralysis. This is a less common side effect, but it can occur in some people.

With sleep paralysis, you can’t talk or move when falling asleep or when waking up. A sleep paralysis episode can last seconds or minutes. You may experience fear or anxiety during or after an episode. Some people may experience hallucinations as well.

What might help

If you experience sleep paralysis episodes or hallucinations that are bothersome while taking Dayvigo, talk with your doctor. In some cases, they may recommend changes to your treatment plan.

In some cases, improving your sleep hygiene can also help prevent sleep paralysis. Try going to bed around the same time each night, and aim for 7 to 8 hours of sleep. If you have questions about how to improve your sleep hygiene, talk with your doctor.

Excessive sleepiness

Dayvigo can cause excessive sleepiness in some people. This can affect how you perform activities during the day. You may feel less alert than usual and may have trouble driving or reacting quickly.

Even if you don’t feel sleepy, your ability to think or react quickly may still be affected. In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you not drive or operate heavy machinery the day after taking a Dayvigo dose.

What might help

Because Dayvigo can cause excessive sleepiness, you should take your dose at bedtime. It’s important to take it when you plan to sleep at least 7 hours. Taking Dayvigo as prescribed can help reduce or prevent excessive sleepiness.

If you take other medications with Dayvigo that can also cause sleepiness, it could make this side effect worse. If you take other medications, talk about them with your doctor before starting Dayvigo treatment.

Your doctor can determine whether it’s safe for you to take Dayvigo.

Heart palpitations

Some people may experience heart palpitations (a feeling of skipped or extra heartbeats) during Dayvigo treatment. This is a less common but serious side effect of Dayvigo. In studies, heart palpitations occurred in people taking 10 milligrams (mg) of Dayvigo. This side effect wasn’t reported in people taking the 5-mg strength of the drug.

If you experience heart palpitations, you may become aware of your heartbeat because it doesn’t feel right. Other symptoms of heart palpitations include:

  • fast heartbeat
  • sensation of skipped beats or fluttering
  • pounding heart

What might help

If you develop heart palpitations with Dayvigo treatment, talk with your doctor. They may recommend a change in treatment. Also, check out this article for tips on managing heart palpitations. Some techniques to try include:

  • relaxing in a comfortable position
  • breathing deeply
  • drinking plenty of water
Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Dayvigo. Although allergic reaction wasn’t reported in studies of Dayvigo, it can still happen.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

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 trouble breathing.

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

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Dayvigo.

What should I know about Dayvigo vs. Ambien, Belsomra, Lunesta, and trazodone?

Dayvigo, Ambien, Belsomra, Lunesta, and trazodone are all prescription drugs for treating insomnia (trouble sleeping) in adults. Except for trazodone, they all are controlled substances.* But they don’t all belong to the same group of medications. This means they each act differently in the body and can cause different side effects.

Dayvigo and Belsomra are both orexin receptor antagonists, Ambien and Lunesta are sedative-hypnotics, and trazodone is an antidepressant that’s prescribed off-label in small doses for insomnia. (Off-label use is when a drug that’s approved to treat one condition is prescribed to treat a different condition.)

For more information about how these insomnia medications compare and which one might be right for you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* Controlled substances are regulated by the government because they carry a risk of misuse or dependence. To learn more, see “Is Dayvigo a controlled substance?” below.

Will Dayvigo make me feel ‘high’?

No. Dayvigo should not give you a feeling of euphoria (feeling “high”). In studies, there were no reports of people feeling high while taking the medication.

If you have mood changes or feel high while taking Dayvigo, tell your doctor right away. They may recommend a different treatment option for you.

Is Dayvigo a controlled substance?

Yes, Dayvigo is a controlled substance. Controlled substances are drugs that the government regulates because of their potential for misuse or dependence. (“Misuse” means using a drug in a way other than how it was prescribed. With dependence, your body needs the drug to feel as it usually would.)

Dayvigo is a Schedule IV controlled substance, which means it carries a low risk of misuse or dependence.

If you have concerns about the risk of misuse or dependence with Dayvigo, talk with your doctor before starting treatment.

Can Dayvigo be addictive?

It’s possible. Dayvigo is a controlled substance, which means it has the potential for misuse or dependence. In some cases, misuse or dependence could lead to addiction. (With addiction, a drug is taken even if it’s causing harmful outcomes.)

In studies, there were no reports of dependence or withdrawal symptoms in people who took Dayvigo. (Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can happen when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on.) But you may have a higher risk of misuse or dependence with Dayvigo if you have problems with alcohol or substance misuse or have had these issues in the past.

If you have concerns about the risk of addiction with Dayvigo, talk with your doctor.

What’s the half-life of Dayvigo?

A half-life is the amount of time it takes your body to remove half a dose of a drug. The half-life of the 5-milligram (mg) strength of Dayvigo is 17 hours. For the 10-mg strength, the half-life is 19 hours.

A single dose is usually removed from your body in four to five half-lives. In the case of Dayvigo, the drug is cleared from your system in about 3 to 4 days.

The half-life is a guide for how long drugs can stay in your system. But other factors can affect how long it takes for the drug to fully leave your body. These include:

  • your age
  • your weight
  • other medical conditions you have
  • other drugs you take
  • your liver and kidney function

If you have other questions about how long Dayvigo can stay in your body, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Dayvigo that’s right for you. Below are commonly prescribed dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form and strengths

Dayvigo comes as a tablet that you swallow. It’s available in two strengths: 5 milligrams (mg) and 10 mg.

Recommended dosages

The usual recommended dose of Dayvigo is 5 mg. You’ll take your dose once per day at bedtime. It’s important that you get at least 7 hours of sleep after taking a dose.

If you continue to have insomnia with your current dose, your doctor may increase your dose. The maximum recommended dose of Dayvigo is 10 mg. You should not change your dose unless your doctor recommends it.

In some cases, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose for you if you have a higher risk of side effects. For example, you may need a lower dose if you have liver problems or take certain medications that could interact with Dayvigo. (To learn more about drugs that may interact with Dayvigo, see the “Interactions” section under “What should be considered before taking Dayvigo?” below.)

Questions about Dayvigo’s dosage

Below are some frequently asked questions about Dayvigo’s dosage.

  • What if I miss a dose of Dayvigo? If you miss a dose of Dayvigo, skip that dose unless you can still get 7 hours of sleep after taking it. Excessive sleepiness can occur if you get less than 7 hours of sleep after taking Dayvigo. This could affect your ability to perform tasks, work, or drive. If you need help remembering to take your Dayvigo dose on time, try using a medication reminder.
  • Will I need to take Dayvigo long term? It depends.Treatment can be short term for some people or long term for others. In studies, some people took Dayvigo for 1 year. Your doctor will determine how long you should take Dayvigo based on your condition and whether the drug is safe and effective for you.
  • How long does Dayvigo take to work? Dayvigo begins to work right after you take your dose. Because of this, you should take your dose at bedtime. If your insomnia continues after 7 to 10 days of taking Dayvigo, talk with your doctor. They may want to check for other medical conditions that cause insomnia. Your doctor may also adjust your Dayvigo treatment if needed.

Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors. These factors include what your insurance plan covers and which pharmacy you use. The drug’s cost with insurance may vary for different people.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also visit the Dayvigo manufacturer’s website to see if it has support options.

You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.

Dayvigo is a sleep medication that’s prescribed for adults with insomnia (trouble sleeping).

Insomnia is a common sleep condition that can make it hard to fall asleep, stay asleep, or both. Some people experience short-term insomnia, while others have this condition long term.

Possible causes of insomnia include certain medications or other medical conditions, such depression or anxiety. Or if you were already experiencing insomnia, these factors could make it worse.

If you have questions about what could be causing your insomnia, talk with your doctor.

Important things to consider and discuss with your doctor before taking Dayvigo include other medications you’re taking, other conditions you may have, and your overall health.

These and other considerations are described in more detail below.

Interactions

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

Before taking Dayvigo, 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 Dayvigo.

Interactions with drugs or supplements

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

Dayvigo can also interact with other kinds of herbs and supplements, such as St. John’s wort. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before using herbs and supplements with Dayvigo.

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

Other interactions

You should not take Dayvigo with food or soon after a meal. Food can slow the effects of the drug, which means it may take longer for you to fall asleep after taking Dayvigo.

Warnings

Dayvigo may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Dayvigo. Factors to consider include those in the list below.

  • Substance or alcohol misuse. Dayvigo is a controlled substance and has the potential for misuse or dependence. If you have problems with substance or alcohol misuse or have had these issues in the past, your doctor may prescribe a different insomnia medication.
  • Liver problems. Having certain liver problems could raise your risk of side effects from Dayvigo. If you have liver problems, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of Dayvigo or recommend a different treatment option.
  • Mental health conditions. Dayvigo can cause depression, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, or worsening of mental health conditions. If you have experienced any of these, tell your doctor before taking Dayvigo. They may monitor you more closely during treatment or recommend a different insomnia drug for you.
  • Narcolepsy. Dayvigo can cause excessive sleepiness. If you have conditions that cause sleepiness, such as narcolepsy, your doctor will likely not prescribe Dayvigo.
  • Age 65 years or older. Your risk of certain side effects from Dayvigo can increase if you’re age 65 years or older. Your doctor may recommend a lower dose of Dayvigo, and they may want to monitor you more closely during treatment.
  • Lung or breathing problems. It’s unknown whether it’s safe to take Dayvigo if you have certain lung problems, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or obstructive sleep apnea. If you have lung or breathing problems, talk with your doctor about whether Dayvigo may be a safe treatment option for you.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Dayvigo or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely recommend that you don’t take Dayvigo. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you.

Dayvigo and alcohol

You should not drink alcohol during Dayvigo treatment. Doing so can raise your risk of certain side effects or make these side effects worse. Examples include:

  • memory problems
  • excessive sleepiness
  • trouble walking or standing

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor before starting Dayvigo treatment.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It’s not known if Dayvigo is safe to take while pregnant. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor to find out if Dayvigo is right for you.

Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking Dayvigo. They can determine whether it’s safe for you to continue taking this drug.

If you do take Dayvigo during pregnancy, consider enrolling in the drug’s pregnancy registry. Pregnancy registries collect information about a drug’s safety when taken during pregnancy. For more information, talk with your doctor or call 888-274-2378.

It’s unknown whether it’s safe to take Dayvigo while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before starting Dayvigo treatment.

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

What to do in case you take too much Dayvigo

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Dayvigo. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, 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.

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

Taking Dayvigo

Dayvigo is a tablet that you swallow. It starts working soon after you take the medication, so you should take your dose at bedtime.

You should not drink alcohol during Dayvigo treatment. You should also not drive or operate machinery if you’ve taken Dayvigo and do not get at least 7 hours of sleep.

Accessible medication containers and labels

If it’s hard for you to read the label on your prescription, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Certain pharmacies may provide medication labels that:

  • have large print
  • use braille
  • contain a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text into audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend a pharmacy that offers these options if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Also, if you’re having trouble opening your medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to put Dayvigo in an easy-open container. Your pharmacist may also recommend tools to help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.

Questions about taking Dayvigo

Below are some common questions about taking Dayvigo.

  • Can Dayvigo be chewed, crushed, or split? You should take Dayvigo exactly as your doctor prescribes. If you have trouble swallowing the tablets, talk with your doctor or pharmacist for recommendations on taking your medication. Also, see this article for tips on swallowing tablets.
  • Should I take Dayvigo with food? No, you should not take Dayvigo with food or soon after a meal. Food can slow the effects of the drug, which means it may take longer for you to fall asleep after taking Dayvigo.
Questions for your doctor

You may have questions about Dayvigo 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 Dayvigo 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.

Dayvigo is a controlled substance, so it has the potential for misuse or dependence. (Misuse means using a drug in a way other than how it was prescribed. With dependence, your body needs the drug to feel as it usually would.)

You may have a higher risk of misuse or dependence if you have problems with alcohol or substance misuse or have had these issues in the past. Due to these risks, your doctor may recommend a different treatment for insomnia.

If you’re concerned about the risk of misuse or dependence with Dayvigo, talk with your doctor before starting treatment.

If you have questions about Dayvigo, talk with your doctor. Some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor include:

  • What are the unusual sleep behaviors that Dayvigo can cause?
  • Will Dayvigo work better for me than other insomnia medications?
  • Will I always have to take Dayvigo in order to fall asleep?

If you have insomnia (trouble sleeping), this overview of treatment options can be a helpful starting point for discussions with your doctor.

To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.

Q:

Will my insomnia come back or get worse after I stop taking Dayvigo?

Anonymous

A:

Stopping Dayvigo shouldn’t make your insomnia worse. But Dayvigo doesn’t cure insomnia, so your insomnia may return if you stop taking Dayvigo and don’t replace it with another treatment.

In studies, Dayvigo was not found to cause rebound insomnia. With rebound insomnia, your insomnia returns after you stop taking certain insomnia medications. Rebound insomnia can be worse than the insomnia you experienced before taking the drug. In many cases, rebound insomnia is short-lived and will go away on its own.

It’s important to note that rebound insomnia is a specific kind of insomnia that only occurs when you stop taking certain drugs. A lack of rebound insomnia doesn’t mean that you won’t experience any insomnia if you stop Dayvigo treatment.

If you have questions or concerns about stopping Dayvigo treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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