A wakefulness-promoting medicine
Solriamfetol
A wakefulness-promoting medicine for excessive daytime sleepiness in narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnoea.
What is Solriamfetol?
Solriamfetol is a wakefulness-promoting medicine used to reduce excessive daytime sleepiness in adults with narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnoea. It is started by a specialist and taken once in the morning. It can raise blood pressure and heart rate, so these are monitored, and it should be avoided later in the day because it can disturb night-time sleep. Headache, nausea, reduced appetite and anxiety are among the common side effects.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Solriamfetol — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Solriamfetol is a medicine that promotes wakefulness, used to reduce excessive daytime sleepiness in adults who have narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnoea. In obstructive sleep apnoea it is used to treat the leftover sleepiness when the breathing problem itself is being managed, rather than instead of that treatment. It is a specialist-initiated tablet, taken once a day in the morning soon after waking.
How it works
Solriamfetol increases the activity of the brain chemicals dopamine and noradrenaline, which helps promote alertness and reduce daytime sleepiness. Because these chemicals also affect the circulation, it can raise blood pressure and heart rate, which is why these are checked. It reduces sleepiness rather than curing the underlying condition, so in sleep apnoea it is used alongside the usual treatment for the breathing problem.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Jazz Pharmaceuticals.
A wakefulness-promoting medicine used in the UK for excessive daytime sleepiness in narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnoea.
Practical use
How to take Solriamfetol
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it by mouth once in the morning soon after waking, as your specialist directs.
- Avoid taking it later in the day, as it can make it harder to sleep at night.
- Keep up any other treatment for sleep apnoea, as solriamfetol is used alongside it rather than instead of it.
- Have your blood pressure and heart rate checked as advised, and do not stop the medicine suddenly without advice.
- Report chest pain, palpitations, a pounding heartbeat or new mood changes promptly.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Solriamfetol
Advantages
- Reduces excessive daytime sleepiness in both narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnoea.
- Taken once a day in the morning, which is convenient.
- Offers a treatment option that works on dopamine and noradrenaline rather than histamine.
Disadvantages
- Can raise blood pressure and heart rate, so monitoring is needed and it may not suit some heart conditions.
- Can disturb night-time sleep if taken too late in the day.
- Commonly causes headache, nausea, reduced appetite and anxiety.
Practical use
Good to know
Solriamfetol is started and supervised by a specialist and is taken in the morning so it does not interfere with night-time sleep; taking it too late in the day can cause difficulty sleeping. The most important practical caution is that it can raise blood pressure and heart rate, so these are monitored before and during treatment, and it may not be suitable for people with certain heart or blood-pressure problems. Common side effects include headache, nausea, reduced appetite and anxiety. In obstructive sleep apnoea it is used alongside, not instead of, the usual treatment for the breathing problem. Do not stop suddenly without advice, and report chest pain, palpitations or new mood changes.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People with uncontrolled high blood pressure or significant heart problems should not usually take it.
- It is generally avoided with certain other medicines, including some used for depression, that affect the same chemicals.
- Used with caution in those with anxiety or a history of significant mood or heart-rhythm problems.
Monitoring
- Checking blood pressure and heart rate before and during treatment.
- Reviewing how well daytime sleepiness is controlled and whether the medicine is still needed.
- Watching for anxiety, sleep problems and other mood changes.
Side effects
- Headache, nausea, reduced appetite and anxiety are among the more common effects.
- Difficulty sleeping, dizziness or a faster heartbeat in some people.
- Raised blood pressure, palpitations or new mood changes, which need prompt review.
Key interactions
- Should not be combined with certain antidepressants (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) or used too close to stopping them.
- Caution with other medicines that raise blood pressure or heart rate, including some decongestants and stimulants.
- Tell your prescriber about all your medicines, as combinations can add to its effects on the heart and circulation.
Available as: Tablets taken by mouth.
Answers
Solriamfetol: frequently asked questions
What is solriamfetol used for?
It is used to reduce excessive daytime sleepiness in adults with narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnoea, taken once in the morning.
Why is my blood pressure being checked?
Solriamfetol can raise blood pressure and heart rate, so these are monitored before and during treatment to keep you safe.
Can I take it in the evening?
No. It is taken in the morning, as taking it later in the day can make it harder to sleep at night.
Does it replace my sleep apnoea treatment?
No. In obstructive sleep apnoea it is used alongside the usual treatment for the breathing problem, not instead of it.
Can I stop it whenever I like?
Do not stop suddenly without advice; speak to your specialist, and report chest pain, palpitations or mood changes.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
Building a medicines information resource?
We create evidence-led, dose-free drug and formulary references for teams.