What is ramelteon?
Ramelteon is a sedative, also called a hypnotic. It works by affecting certain substances in your body that help regulate your "sleep-wake cycle.”
Ramelteon is used to treat insomnia that is associated with having trouble falling asleep.
Unlike some other sleep medications, ramelteon is not known to be habit-forming.
Ramelteon may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Precautions
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to ramelteon, or if you have severe liver disease.
You should not take ramelteon if you are also taking the antidepressant fluvoxamine (Luvox).
Before taking ramelteon, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
- liver disease;
- sleep apnea (breathing stops while you are asleep);
- a breathing disorder such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); or
- a history of depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use ramelteon, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether ramelteon passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Ramelteon may affect the levels of male or female hormones (testosterone or prolactin). This may affect menstrual periods in women, sexual desire in men, or fertility (ability to have children) in either a man or a woman.
Ramelteon can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking ramelteon. Alcohol may add to sleepiness caused by ramelteon.
Instructions
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a ramelteon overdose are not known.
Since ramelteon is usually taken as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. Ramelteon should be taken only within 30 minutes of your normal bedtime. Do not take extra medicine to make up a missed dose.
Side-effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop taking ramelteon and call your doctor if you have:
- a missed menstrual period;
- nipple discharge; or
- loss of interest in sex.
Less serious side effects may include:
- drowsiness;
- dizziness;
- headache;
- nausea;
- diarrhea; or
- runny nose, stuffy nose, sore throat.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interactions
Before taking ramelteon, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:
- fluvoxamine (Luvox);
- rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane); or
- an antifungal antibiotic such as ketoconazole (Nizoral).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with ramelteon. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version 2.05. Revision date 8/23/04