Sunosi interactions: Alcohol, medications, and other factors

Sunosi interactions with other medications  

Before you start treatment with Sunosi, tell your doctor and pharmacist which prescription, over-the-counter, and other medications you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions. (To learn whether Sunosi interacts with supplements, herbs, or vitamins, see the “Sunosi and other interactions” section below.)

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Here’s a table of drugs that can interact with Sunosi. Keep in mind this table doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with Sunosi. Some of these interactions are described in detail just below in “Drug interactions in depth.”

When to avoid Sunosi

In some cases, factors or conditions could prevent your doctor from prescribing Sunosi due to the risk of harm. These are known as contraindications. The contraindications of Sunosi include:

Taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor

Doctors typically will not prescribe Sunosi in combination with a type of antidepressant called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).

This is because taking Sunosi with an MAOI can increase your risk of hypertensive crisis (a severe increase in blood pressure). This can cause symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, and nosebleeds. Hypertensive crisis can be life threatening for some people.

Below are a few examples of MAOIs that can interact with Sunosi:

• methylene blue (Provayblue)
• linezolid (Zyvox)
• phenelzine (Nardil)
• selegiline (Emsam)
• isocarboxazid (Marplan)

Before you start treatment with Sunosi, it’s important to tell your doctor if you take an MAOI. They’ll likely have you stop taking the MAOI and wait at least 2 weeks before starting treatment with Sunosi. Likewise, after you stop taking Sunosi, your doctor will typically have you wait at least 2 weeks before starting treatment with an MAOI.

Note: Before you start treatment with Sunosi, it’s important to tell your doctor if this contraindication applies to you. They can determine whether to prescribe Sunosi.

Sunosi interaction with alcohol

There aren’t any known interactions between Sunosi and alcohol. However, your doctor may advise you to avoid or limit alcohol consumption during Sunosi treatment.

This is because drinking alcohol while taking the drug may cause sleepiness. Keep in mind Sunosi is prescribed to treat excessive daytime sleepiness in adults with certain conditions. Therefore, drinking alcohol during Sunosi treatment can counteract the effects of the drug.

In addition, Sunosi also has risks of misuse and dependence. (Misuse means taking a drug in a way other than how a doctor prescribes it. With dependence, your body needs a drug in order for you to feel as it typically would.) Due to this risk, your doctor may not prescribe Sunosi if you have a history of alcohol use disorder or another type of substance use disorder.

Drug interactions in depth

Here’s a closer look at certain drug interactions of Sunosi.

Certain decongestants

Decongestants can treat a blocked or stuffy nose.

Interaction result: Taking Sunosi with certain decongestants can raise your risk of a severe increase in blood pressure.

Interaction explained: Sunosi can increase your blood pressure and heart rate. Certain decongestants may also increase your blood pressure and heart rate as a side effect. This means taking these medications together can significantly increase your risk of this side effect.

Examples of decongestant drugs: Here are some decongestants that may interact with Sunosi:

• pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Zephrex-D, others)
• phenylephrine (Sudafed, Neo-Synephrine, others)

Steps you or your doctor may take: If you take any decongestants, tell your doctor before you start Sunosi treatment. If needed, they can discuss alternative treatments. If you and your doctor decide that you’ll take these medications together, they’ll likely monitor your blood pressure and heart function closely during treatment.

Dopaminergic drugs

Dopaminergic drugs are drugs that increase dopamine levels in your body.

Interaction result: Taking Sunosi with dopaminergic drugs can increase risk of dopamine-related side effects.

Interaction explained: Dopaminergic drugs and Sunosi both increase the levels of dopamine in your body. High dopamine levels can cause side effects, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, tremor, and mood changes.

Examples of dopaminergic drugs: Doctors often prescribe dopaminergic drugs to treat conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and restless leg syndrome. Here are some dopaminergic that may interact with Sunosi:

• carbidopa/levodopa (Sinemet, Rytary)
• entacapone (Comtan)
• amantadine (Gocovri)
• pramipexole (Mirapex)
• ropinirole (Requip)

Steps you or your doctor may take: Tell your doctor about all of the medications you take before you start Sunosi, especially if you take drugs for Parkinson’s disease or restless leg syndrome. They can determine if any of your drugs affect the dopamine levels in the body and if Sunosi is safe for you.

Stimulants

People often take stimulant drugs for conditions such as excessive daytime sleepiness and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Interaction result: Taking Sunosi with a stimulant may raise the risk of a severe increase in blood pressure.

Interaction explained: Sunosi and stimulant drugs can both increase your blood pressure and heart rate as a side effect. So, combining Sunosi with a stimulant may make this side effect more likely.

Examples of stimulant drugs: Here are some stimulants that may interact with Sunosi:

• dextroamphetamine/amphetamine (Adderall)
• methylphenidate (Ritalin)
• modafinil (Provigil)

Steps you or your doctor may take: Let your doctor know if you take any stimulants before starting Sunosi. They’ll help determine if Sunosi is safe for you to take. If these medications are prescribed together, your doctor will likely monitor your blood pressure and heart rate closely. They’ll also monitor you for heart problems.

Sunosi and other interactions

Sunosi may have other interactions, such as with supplements, foods, vaccines, or even lab tests. You’ll find details below. Keep in mind that the following information does not include all other possible interactions with Sunosi.

Sunosi interactions with supplements

It’s possible for drugs to interact with supplements such as vitamins and herbs.

Sunosi interactions with herbs

There are no specific reports of herbs interacting with Sunosi. However, that doesn’t mean herbal interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, it’s important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during Sunosi treatment.

Sunosi interactions with vitamins

There are no specific reports of vitamins interacting with Sunosi. However, that doesn’t mean vitamin interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamin product with Sunosi.

Sunosi interactions with food

Sunosi may interact with caffeine. Consuming too much caffeine while taking Sunosi can raise the risk of a severe increase in blood pressure. Examples of foods and beverages that contain caffeine include:

• coffee
• tea
• chocolate
• energy drinks

Because of this interaction, your doctor will likely recommend limiting how much caffeine you consume during Sunosi treatment.

If you’d like to learn more about eating certain foods during treatment with Sunosi, talk with your doctor.

Sunosi interactions with vaccines

There aren’t any known interactions between Sunosi and vaccines. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to see whether you’re due for any vaccines.

Sunosi interactions with lab tests

Sunosi isn’t known to interact with any lab tests. If you have concerns about this medication interacting with lab tests, talk to your doctor.

SUNOSI INTERACTION WITH CANNABIS OR CBD

Cannabis (often called marijuana) and cannabis products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have not been specifically reported to interact with Sunosi. However, as with any drug or supplement, talk with your doctor before using cannabis in combination with Sunosi. The impact of cannabis may affect how well you stick to your Sunosi treatment plan.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Sunosi and health-related interactions

Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with Sunosi. Before you take this drug, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history. Sunosi may not be the right treatment option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health.

Health conditions or factors that might interact with Sunosi include:

• Certain mental health conditions: Sunosi can cause side effects related to mental health. These include anxiety, insomnia, and irritability. Your risk of these side effects may be higher if you have certain mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder. If you have certain mental health conditions, Sunosi can also worsen your condition. Let your doctor know about any mental health conditions you have before you start Sunosi. They can help determine if Sunosi is safe for you.
• Heart problems, such as high blood pressure, heart attack, or stroke: Sunosi can increase your heart rate and blood pressure. High blood pressure can increase your risk of serious heart-related events, including stroke and heart attack. If you have a history of heart problems or high blood pressure, Sunosi can worsen your condition. Tell your doctor if you have any heart problems or high blood pressure before you start Sunosi. They will determine if it’s safe for you to start treatment.
• Kidney problems: Sunosi is broken down in your body by your kidneys. If you have kidney problems, your body may break down Sunosi more slowly than usual. This can increase the levels of the drug in your body, which raises your risk of side effects of Sunosi.
• High cholesterol or diabetes: If you have high cholesterol or diabetes, you may be at higher risk of heart problems. Because Sunosi increases blood pressure and heart rate, it may also increase your risk of heart problems. Therefore, it’s important to let your doctor know if you have high cholesterol or diabetes before you start taking Sunosi. They can determine whether Sunosi is right for you.
• History of alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder: Sunosi has a risk of misuse and dependence. Your risk of misuse and dependence may be higher if you have a history of alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder. Let your doctor know if you have a history of these conditions so they can evaluate whether Sunosi is safe for you.
• Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Sunosi or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Sunosi. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.
• Breastfeeding: It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Sunosi while breastfeeding. Sunosi can pass into breast milk and cause side effects such as agitation, insomnia, and low weight in a breastfed infant. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to, talk with your doctor before using Sunosi. They can talk with you about treatment options and ways to feed an infant.
• Pregnancy: There haven’t been enough clinical trials to determine whether Sunosi is safe to take while pregnant. Animal studies show that the drug may cause congenital anomalies (also known as birth defects). However, it’s important to note that animal studies don’t always indicate what may happen in humans. If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, tell your doctor before starting Sunosi. They can advise you on the right treatment plan for you.

FAQs about Sunosi and interactions

Here are answers to some common questions about Sunosi and possible interactions.

Does Sunosi have similar interactions to modafinil and Adderall?

Maybe. Sunosi contains the active ingredient solriamfetol and doctors prescribe it to treat excessive daytime sleepiness in adults with narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea. It works by increasing the levels of certain chemicals, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, in your brain.

Modafinil is a generic medication prescribed to treat excessive daytime sleepiness related to narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work disorder. It’s the active ingredient in the brand-name drug Provigil and works by altering the amount of certain chemicals, including dopamine and glutamate, in the brain.

Adderall is a brand-name medication used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and excessive daytime sleepiness in adults and some children with narcolepsy. It contains dextroamphetamine and amphetamine as active ingredients and works by increasing norepinephrine and other chemicals in the brain.

Because of these differences, each of these drugs may interact with different medications. To learn more about the interactions of each drug, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What happens if I take Sunosi with a drug it interacts with? Will I experience more side effects of Sunosi?

It depends. An interaction occurs when one substance causes another substance to have a different effect than expected. This can increase the risk of side effects of Sunosi or the other drug. It may also cause Sunosi or the other drug to be less effective. The specific effect of the interaction depends on the drug you take with Sunosi.

If you have questions about taking a specific drug with Sunosi, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Preventing interactions

You can take certain steps to help prevent interactions with Sunosi. Your doctor and pharmacist are key resources, so reach out to them before starting treatment. For example, you should plan to do the following:

• Let them know if you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
• Tell them about any other medications you take, as well as any supplements, herbs, and vitamins.
• Create a medication list, which your doctor and pharmacist can help you fill out.

It’s also important to read the Sunosi label and other paperwork that may come with the drug. The label may have colored stickers that mention an interaction. And the paperwork, sometimes called the medication guide or patient package insert, may contain details about interactions.

If Sunosi doesn’t come with paperwork, you can ask your pharmacist to print a copy. If you need help reading or understanding this information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

You can also help prevent interactions with Sunosi by taking it exactly as your doctor prescribes.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.