Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, announced that BELSOMRA (suvorexant) is available at U.S. pharmacies for the treatment of insomnia. BELSOMRA is the only orexin receptor antagonist approved for the treatment of insomnia in the United States, according to the company.
“Insomnia is a serious condition that affects millions of Americans,” said David Cloud, CEO of the National Sleep Foundation. “With BELSOMRA, healthcare professionals and patients now have an additional option to consider.”
BELSOMRA is contraindicated in patients with narcolepsy. It contains suvorexant, a Schedule IV controlled substance, and it can impair daytime wakefulness. Central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects can last for up to several days after discontinuation.
“Merck has been conducting research in the sleep field for more than a decade,” said Dr. David Michelson, vice president, Neurosciences, Merck Research Laboratories. “We are proud to be one of the earliest companies to research the role of orexin receptors in insomnia, which ultimately led to the introduction of BELSOMRA in the United States.”
Healthcare professionals and patients in the United States can visit www.belsomra.com to learn more.
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