Sunosi Side Effects: What They Are and How to Manage Them (2024)

Sunosi Side Effects (solriamfetol) is a prescription oral tablet used to increase wakefulness in adults with narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea. Sunosi can cause side effects that range from mild to serious, including headache and decreased appetite.

What are the more common side effects of Sunosi?

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during Sunosi treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

• headache
• nausea
• decreased appetite
• insomnia (difficulty sleeping)*
• anxiety

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

What are the mild Sunosi Side Effects?

Mild side effects have been reported with Sunosi. These include:

• dry mouth
• constipation
• abdominal pain
• nausea
• decreased appetite
• headache
• dizziness
• chest discomfort
• excessive sweating

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking Sunosi unless your doctor recommends it.

Sunosi may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

What are the serious Sunosi Side Effects?

Serious side effects have been reported with Sunosi. These include:

• high blood pressure*
• increased heart rate
• heart palpitations (a feeling of skipped or extra heartbeats)
• mental health symptoms, including
  • insomnia*
  • anxiety
  • irritability

If you develop serious side effects while taking Sunosi, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Sunosi, visit MedWatch.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Sunosi can cause an allergic reaction. This side effect didn’t occur in the drug’s studies, but it has been reported since Sunosi came on the market.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking Sunosi.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Sunosi, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

FAQ about Sunosi’s side effects

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Sunosi’s side effects.

How do side effects of Sunosi compare with those of other stimulants, such as Provigil and Adderall?

Sunosi (solriamfetol) and Provigil (modafinil) share some similar side effects. For example, people in Sunosi studies and Provigil studies reported headache, nausea, and insomnia. But unlike Sunosi, Provigil can also cause other symptoms like back pain and runny nose.

Sunosi and Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) also share some similar side effects. For example, in both Sunosi studies and Adderall studies, people reported symptoms of high blood pressure and increased heart rate. However, unlike Adderall, Sunosi isn’t a stimulant drug even though it may have similar side effects to stimulants.

Can Sunosi cause weight gain or weight loss?

Weight loss was a rare side effect reported in studies of Sunosi. But it’s not known for sure whether Sunosi was the cause. Low appetite is a commonly reported side effect of Sunosi, and this could lead to weight loss.

Weight gain was not a side effect reported in the drug’s studies.

If you have additional questions about Sunosi’s potential effects on body weight, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is there a risk of misuse with Sunosi?

Yes, Sunosi has a risk of misuse. With misuse, a person takes a drug in a way or for a reason other than how or why it was prescribed. Examples include taking the drug more often or at higher doses than recommended by your doctor.

You should take Sunosi only as your doctor has prescribed. Misuse increases the risk of overdose, which can lead to difficulty breathing, coma, and even death.

Sunosi Side Effects explained

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

High blood pressure

High blood pressure was a serious side effect reported in studies of Sunosi. High blood pressure is considered a silent condition because people who have it often don’t have symptoms.

Severe high blood pressure can be life threatening and is more likely to cause symptoms. These can include:

• dizziness
• blurred vision
• severe headache
• chest pain

If you take other drugs that can increase blood pressure along with Sunosi, your risk of high blood pressure increases.

What might help

Talk with your doctor about all medical conditions you may have before starting Sunosi. If you have certain preexisting conditions, such as cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease, your doctor will likely watch you more closely while you’re taking Sunosi. They may also monitor your blood pressure and heart rate before you start this medication and throughout your treatment.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Sunosi, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Insomnia

Insomnia was a serious side effect reported in studies of Sunosi. Insomnia can cause symptoms such as:

• trouble falling or staying asleep, or both
• consistently broken or interrupted sleep

What might help

Talk with your doctor if you experience insomnia symptoms while taking Sunosi. They can adjust your dosage or switch you to a different medication. They may also recommend practicing healthy sleep hygiene to help with these symptoms.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Sunosi treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

• what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
• how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
• what your symptoms were
• how your symptoms affected your daily activities
• what other medications you were taking
• any other information you feel is important

Sharing notes with your doctor will help them learn more about how Sunosi affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Warnings for Sunosi Side Effects

Sunosi can sometimes cause harmful effects in people with certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Sunosi is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before taking Sunosi. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

• heart problems, such as having had a heart attack
• stroke
• high blood pressure
• high cholesterol
• diabetes
• kidney problems
• mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder
• alcohol or drug dependence*
• previous allergic reaction to Sunosi
• pregnancy
• breastfeeding
• alcohol consumption

* Dependence is when your body gets used to a drug and needs it for you to function as usual.

Disclaimer: adoctor 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.