Can You Take Belsomra During The Day To Calm Down?

Answer

Belsomra (suvorexant) is only recommended, and FDA-approved, to treat insomnia. Specifically, it is used for individuals who have both difficulties falling asleep (i.e., sleep onset) and those who have difficulty staying asleep (i.e., sleep maintenance).

The drug is not recommended or indicated to be taken during waking hours to help treat symptoms of anxiety. Belsomra is not a benzodiazepine, like Xanax, Restoril, and Valium, which are sometimes used for both anxiety and to help sleep. It is also not like popular sleep medicines, such as Ambien, Lunesta, and Sonata.

Belsomra is classified as a dual orexin receptor antagonist, and has a unique mechanism of action unlike other sleep medications on the market. It has not been studied for the treatment of anxiety and likely wouldn't be very effective.

Belsomra Works Differently To Help You Fall Asleep

As mentioned, Belsomra is in a class of drugs known as dual orexin receptor antagonists, and this class of drugs is unlike others used for sleep.

Belsomra antagonizes orexin receptors and blocks the binding neuropeptides orexin A and orexin B. Although more studies are needed to fully understand how these neuropeptides work, they are thought to be 'wake-promoting'. Blocking these neuropeptides from binding to their receptor is thought to suppress our wakefulness (sometimes referred to as our 'wake drive').

This mechanism is unlike the more commonly used sleep medications, like benzodiazepines, Ambien, Lunesta, and Sonata.

These drugs all work in some fashion on GABA receptors and have an overall central nervous system depressant effect. This is not how Belsomra works.

Belsomra Has Not Been Studied For Anxiety

Belsomra has only been studied for its use in treating insomnia. However, based on what we know about the mechanism of action, it is unlikely to have many benefits for treating anxiety.

Unlike traditional anti-anxiety drugs, which mostly work on GABA or serotonin receptors and/or have a depressant effect, Belsomra works on receptors (orexin receptors) that alter our 'wake drive'. It likely doesn't have anti-anxiety effects, unless you consider feeling less awake an effective means of reducing anxiety.

Belsomra is not recommended for anxiety, it's not approved to treat anxiety, and it likely won't be an effective drug to treat the condition either. Therefore, it is not recommended to be taken during the day to help relieve those symptoms.

Lastly, although I usually don't like to get into insurance considerations simply based on how individualized it is, it's relevant based on your question.

I think it is important to point out that if your insurance does cover Belsomra, they likely would only cover it for one daily dosing (i.e., #30 tablets for a 30-day supply), and not for any additional doses you would take during the day. They likely would not cover it for any additional quantity simply based on what the drug is FDA-approved for (once-daily dosing).

Final Words

I hope you found this answer helpful.

I highly recommend speaking to your doctor about what your options are to help treat your anxiety symptoms.

Thanks so much for reaching out to us!