solriamfetol hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
Dopamine and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor
Licensed uses
Excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnoea in adults
Food
May be taken with or without food
Important monitoring
Blood pressure and heart rate require assessment before and during treatment
What is solriamfetol hydrochloride used for?
UK-licensed uses in adults are:
Improving wakefulness and reducing excessive daytime sleepiness in narcolepsy, with or without cataplexy.
Improving wakefulness and reducing excessive daytime sleepiness in obstructive sleep apnoea when primary treatment, such as CPAP, has not treated the sleepiness satisfactorily.
How does solriamfetol hydrochloride work?
Solriamfetol inhibits the reuptake of dopamine and noradrenaline, increasing signalling through brain pathways involved in alertness. Its precise wake-promoting mechanism is not fully characterised.
solriamfetol hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 75 mg, 150 mg
How to take solriamfetol hydrochloride
Take the tablet by mouth on waking, following the prescriber's instructions. It may be taken with or without food. Avoid taking it near bedtime because it can disturb night-time sleep.
Swallow the tablet with water.
Use the score line only on the scored tablet presentation if instructed to divide it.
Continue primary obstructive sleep apnoea treatment, such as CPAP.
solriamfetol hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache
- Reduced appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Anxiety, irritability or difficulty sleeping
- Dizziness or feeling jittery
- Palpitations or chest discomfort
- Raised blood pressure
- Diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain or dry mouth
- Increased sweating
Get urgent medical advice
- Chest pain
- Marked shortness of breath
- Very fast or irregular heartbeat
- Severe or rapidly worsening hypersensitivity symptoms
solriamfetol hydrochloride in pregnancy
Solriamfetol is not recommended during pregnancy because human information is limited and animal studies found reproductive toxicity. Effective contraception should be discussed with the prescriber where pregnancy is possible.
solriamfetol hydrochloride while breastfeeding
Solriamfetol passes into human milk, and effects on a breastfed infant are uncertain. A specialist or prescriber should weigh the benefits of breastfeeding against the need for treatment; exposed infants require monitoring for possible adverse effects.
solriamfetol hydrochloride interactions
Tell the prescriber about all medicines, including non-prescription products. Important interactions include:
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
The combination is contraindicated because of the risk of a hypertensive reaction.
Medicines that increase blood pressure or heart rate
Combined effects may increase cardiovascular risk, so cautious use and monitoring are required.
Dopaminergic medicines, including levodopa, pramipexole and methylphenidate
Their effects may interact with solriamfetol, requiring clinical caution.
Common questions about solriamfetol hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is solriamfetol hydrochloride used for?
It reduces excessive daytime sleepiness and improves wakefulness in adults with narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnoea meeting the licensed criteria.
Does solriamfetol hydrochloride treat obstructive sleep apnoea itself?
No. It treats persistent sleepiness but does not correct the airway obstruction, so primary treatment such as CPAP should continue.
Is solriamfetol hydrochloride a stimulant?
It is a centrally acting wake-promoting agent that inhibits dopamine and noradrenaline reuptake. It does not have the same monoamine-releasing action as amphetamines.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.