Sunosi (Solriamfetol) at a glance: schedule, half-life, and class
- Generic name
- Solriamfetol
- Brand names
- Sunosi
- Drug class
- Dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (DNRI)
- US legal status
- Schedule IV, prescription only
- Approved uses
- Excessive daytime sleepiness in adults with narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea
- Forms
- Tablets (75, 150 mg)
- Half-life
- About 7 hours
- Cleared by
- The kidneys, mostly unchanged
Sunosi uses: what solriamfetol is prescribed for
Solriamfetol improves wakefulness in narcolepsy and in sleep apnea with persistent sleepiness. It does not treat the airway obstruction, so CPAP or other treatment should continue.[1]
Unlike amphetamines, it does not release dopamine; it blocks its reuptake, and its misuse potential is considered low.[1]
Sunosi dosage: how solriamfetol is usually prescribed
The figures below come from the FDA-approved label and describe how prescribers typically use solriamfetol. They are not personal dosing advice. A prescriber sets the dose for each person and adjusts it over time.[1]
| Product | Typical adult dose | Notes from the label |
|---|---|---|
| Narcolepsy | 75 mg once on waking | May increase after 3 days; maximum 150 mg |
| Obstructive sleep apnea | 37.5 mg once on waking | Maximum 150 mg |
| Kidney impairment | Lower doses | Avoid in end-stage kidney disease |
| Timing | Avoid within 9 hours of bedtime | Can disrupt sleep |
Sunosi (solriamfetol) side effects and risks
Common side effects include headache, nausea, decreased appetite, anxiety, and insomnia.[1]
Blood pressure and heart rate: it raises both; blood pressure should be controlled before starting and monitored.[1]
Psychiatric symptoms: anxiety, irritability, and agitation; use caution with a history of psychosis or bipolar disorder.[1]
Sunosi interactions: what not to mix with solriamfetol
Choose what it would be combined with:
| Combined with | What happens | Label guidance |
|---|---|---|
| MAO inhibitors (within 14 days) | Hypertensive reaction | Contraindicated |
| Other drugs that raise blood pressure or dopamine (stimulants, decongestants) | Higher blood pressure and heart rate | Use caution |
| Alcohol | Masked tiredness | Avoid |
This is not a full list. A pharmacist can check a complete medication list, including supplements and over-the-counter products.[1]
Sunosi overdose: signs of solriamfetol overdose and what to do
Overdose may cause agitation, abnormal movements, fast heartbeat, and high blood pressure.[1]
If someone may be overdosing
- Call 911 for chest pain, a seizure, trouble breathing, signs of a stroke (face drooping, weakness on one side, slurred speech), a very high body temperature, or if the person collapses.
- Move them somewhere cool and calm, loosen tight clothing, and cool the skin with water. Do not try to hold them down.
- If they become unresponsive or their breathing slows, give naloxone. Street stimulants are often contaminated with fentanyl.
- For advice when the person is awake and stable, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.
Does solriamfetol cause withdrawal?
In clinical trials, stopping solriamfetol did not cause withdrawal symptoms; sleepiness returned to pre-treatment levels.[1]
- Days 1 to 3Sleepiness returnsDaytime sleepiness returns to its earlier level.
- Week 1No withdrawal expectedTrials found no withdrawal syndrome.
- OngoingReassessDiscuss alternatives with the prescriber.
How to get prescribed Sunosi (solriamfetol) legally in the US
In the United States, solriamfetol is a Schedule IV controlled substance. The only legal way to get it is with a prescription from a clinician registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), filled by a licensed pharmacy. Depending on state law, that can be a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.[2]
- Refills: a Schedule IV prescription can be refilled up to five times within six months of the date it was written. After that, a new prescription is needed.[3]
- Telehealth: federal flexibilities let DEA-registered clinicians prescribe Schedule II to V medicines after a telemedicine visit, without a prior in-person exam, through December 31, 2026. A permanent DEA rule was under final review in late 2026. State rules can be stricter.[4]
- Monitoring: prescribers and pharmacists in most states check a prescription drug monitoring program, a database of controlled-substance prescriptions, before prescribing or dispensing.
- Pharmacies: a legitimate pharmacy always requires a valid prescription, has a licensed pharmacist available, and is licensed in the state it ships to. The FDA's BeSafeRx tool and the NABP's safe pharmacy list help confirm a pharmacy is real.[5][6]
- Cost: sunosi is brand-only and expensive without insurance; prior authorization is common.
Traveling: keep the medicine in its original pharmacy container and carry a copy of the prescription. Check the rules of the destination country before travel, because many countries restrict controlled medicines or require a permit.
Can you order Sunosi (solriamfetol) online legally?
Yes, but only with a valid prescription and only from a pharmacy licensed in your state. Many licensed pharmacies, including mail-order pharmacies run by insurers, fill solriamfetol prescriptions online and ship them. Buying solriamfetol from a website that does not require a prescription is illegal, and the product is often fake.[5][7]
- See a licensed clinicianA clinician evaluates you in person or by telemedicine and decides whether solriamfetol is appropriate.
- The prescription goes to a pharmacyPrescriptions are usually sent electronically, straight from the prescriber to the pharmacy you choose.
- The pharmacy checks and fills itA pharmacist verifies the prescription and your identity, then dispenses the medicine in person or by mail.
Signs that an online seller is illegal:
- It sells solriamfetol with no prescription, or after only a short online questionnaire.
- It takes orders through social media, messaging apps, or email.
- It asks for payment in cryptocurrency, gift cards, or money transfers.
- It has no US street address, no state pharmacy license, and no pharmacist to speak to.
- Its prices are far below those of ordinary pharmacies, or it ships from another country.
The FDA's BeSafeRx tool links to each state's license lookup, and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy lists verified online pharmacies.[5][6]
Sunosi price: how much does Sunosi (solriamfetol) cost without insurance?
Sunosi is brand-only and expensive without insurance; prior authorization is common.
What you pay depends on the strength, the number of doses, your insurance plan, and the pharmacy. Cash prices for the same prescription can differ several times over between pharmacies in the same town, so check current prices before you fill it.
Ways to pay less, legally:
- Ask the prescriber whether a generic solriamfetol is available. FDA-approved generics work the same way as the brand and usually cost much less.
- Compare cash prices between pharmacies before you fill the prescription.
- Use a free prescription discount card, such as GoodRx or SingleCare, when you pay cash. These cards cannot be combined with insurance on the same fill.
- For brand-name medicines, check the manufacturer's savings program or patient assistance program.
- Ask about a 90-day supply or your insurer's mail-order pharmacy, which often lowers the cost per dose when your prescriber agrees it is appropriate.
Warning: A price far below what licensed pharmacies charge, especially with no prescription required, is a strong sign of an illegal seller and counterfeit medicine.[5]
Is Sunosi legal? Solriamfetol legal status in other countries
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| European Union | Approved in 2020; prescription only |
| International | Not under UN control |
Laws change and differ in detail. Check current rules before carrying any controlled medicine across a border.[8]
Common questions about Sunosi (solriamfetol)
Is Sunosi a stimulant?
It is a wakefulness-promoting agent that blocks dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake. It is grouped with stimulants but works differently from amphetamines.
Can Sunosi (solriamfetol) replace CPAP?
No. It treats sleepiness, not the airway obstruction.
Does Sunosi (solriamfetol) raise blood pressure?
Yes, modestly. Blood pressure should be checked before and during treatment.
Is Sunosi a controlled substance?
Yes, Schedule IV.
When should I take Sunosi?
On waking, and not within 9 hours of bedtime.
Can you buy Sunosi (solriamfetol) without a prescription?
No. Sunosi (solriamfetol) is a Schedule IV controlled substance in the US, so it is illegal to buy or possess it without a valid prescription. Websites and social media sellers that offer it without one are not legal pharmacies, and the DEA warns that pills sold this way are often counterfeit and can contain fentanyl. The legal route is a visit with a licensed clinician, in person or by telehealth, and a prescription filled at a state-licensed pharmacy. The FDA's BeSafeRx tool and the NABP's safe pharmacy list help confirm an online pharmacy is real.
Sources
- Sunosi (solriamfetol) prescription information. DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine.
- Controlled Substance Schedules. DEA Diversion Control Division.
- 21 CFR 1306.22, Refilling of prescriptions (Schedules III and IV). Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
- Prescribing controlled substances via telehealth. US Department of Health and Human Services.
- BeSafeRx: Your Source for Online Pharmacy Information. US Food and Drug Administration.
- Safe Pharmacy. National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
- One Pill Can Kill. US Drug Enforcement Administration.
- International drug control conventions. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
