Prescription drug · Used for insomnia

Belsomra side effects

suvorexant

This side effect is printed on the FDA label for Belsomra. It was a question in our daily quiz, where you pick the real side effect from four choices.

Being unable to move or talk as you fall asleep or wake up

It's called sleep paralysis and can last up to several minutes. Vivid, disturbing hallucinations can come with it.

From the FDA label

“temporary inability to move or talk (sleep paralysis) for up to several minutes while you are going to sleep or waking up.”

Belsomra label, updated Mar 10, 2025 · Read the full label on DailyMed

What to watch for

Don't drive or do anything that needs alertness the next day if you feel drowsy. Tell your doctor about sleep paralysis or sleepwalking.

232 reports to the FDA's adverse event system mention sleep paralysis. A report is not proof the drug caused it. See the query

From quiz No. 13 · October 7, 2026 · Play that quiz →

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Not medical advice. Don't stop or start a medication because of a quiz. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Label text and report counts from openFDA. Not affiliated with any drug maker.