Lemborexant (Dayvigo) is a new-type orexin receptor antagonist that has shown good efficacy in the treatment of insomnia in adults. Like all prescription medications, a thorough understanding of its potential side effects, serious risks, and precautions for use is crucial for patients when taking the drug.

Side Effects of Lemborexant (Dayvigo)

Most Significant Adverse Reactions

Somnolence is the most common adverse reaction of lemborexant, with an incidence rate of 10%.

This somnolent effect may persist into the next day, impairing daytime alertness and activity ability.

Other Frequently Occurring Side Effects

Headache: The incidence rate is approximately 5.9% in the 5mg dose group.

Nightmares or abnormal dreams: The incidence rate is approximately 2.2% in the 10mg dose group.

Serious Side Effects of Lemborexant (Dayvigo)

Complex Sleep Behaviors

This is one of the most critical serious side effects requiring vigilance, which involves various activities performed by patients while not fully awake.

Sleepwalking and sleep driving.

Preparing and consuming food.

Making phone calls.

Engaging in sexual activity.

These behaviors pose potential dangers, and patients often have no memory of the event process. Once such behaviors occur, the medication must be discontinued immediately and a doctor contacted.

Impairment of Daytime Function

As a central nervous system depressant, lemborexant may impair daytime wakefulness even when used as instructed.

In some patients, this depressant effect may persist for several days after discontinuing the medication.

Special Neurological Symptoms

Sleep paralysis: Approximately 1.6% of patients in the 10mg dose group reported experiencing sleep paralysis, which manifests as an inability to move or speak for several minutes during the transition between sleep and wakefulness.

Hypnagogic/hypnopompic hallucinations: The incidence rate is approximately 0.7%, and patients may experience vivid and distressing perceptual experiences.

Cataplexy-like symptoms: Patients may experience transient leg weakness, lasting from a few seconds to a few minutes, which can occur at night or during the day.

Impact on respiratory function: For patients with pre-existing impaired respiratory function, special caution must be exercised when considering the drug's impact on respiratory function.

Precautions for Lemborexant (Dayvigo)

Medication Timing and Administration Method

Timing of administration: Take the medication only when preparing to go to bed.

Time in bed: Ensure that you can stay in bed for at least 7 hours after taking the medication.

Impact of food: Taking the medication with meals or immediately after meals may delay the time to fall asleep.

Medication Instructions

Take the medication strictly according to the dosage prescribed by the doctor; do not increase the dosage on your own.

Recognize the manifestations of potential serious side effects.

Know when immediate medical attention is required.

Precautions for Daily Activities

Driving safety: Patients taking the 10mg dose must be particularly vigilant about impaired driving ability the next day.

Fall prevention: Especially for elderly patients, somnolence increases the risk of falls.

Machinery operation: Avoid operating dangerous machinery when the effects of the medication have not completely subsided.