Is Dayvigo a Controlled Substance? Pharmacists Answer 5 Dayvigo FAQs

Cognitive behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes are good places to start to help manage insomnia. But for some people, they’re not enough. In this case, your prescriber may suggest a medication to make sleeping easier. One prescription-only option is Dayvigo (lemborexant).

Dayvigo is an oral medication that can treat insomnia in adults who are having trouble falling or staying asleep. It’s part of the orexin receptor antagonist class of medications. Orexin is a chemical in your brain that makes you feel awake. Dayvigo works by blocking orexin, which may improve your ability to fall and stay asleep.

Many prescription sleep medications are controlled substances. But what about Dayvigo? In short, yes. Dayvigo is a controlled substance. Below, we explain why, plus answer four more frequently asked questions about the medication.

1. Is Dayvigo a controlled substance?

Yes, Dayvigo is a controlled substance. To be more specific, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has labeled it a schedule 4 controlled substance. This means that it carries a low risk for dependence or misuse.

Studies show that Dayvigo’s risk for dependence is likely similar to the sleep medication Ambien (zolpidem). But research suggests that Dayvigo doesn’t cause withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it. This differs from what’s been seen with some other sleep medications. This was true even for people who took the medication for 6 to 12 months before stopping it.

Like other controlled substances, there are restrictions when it comes to filling a Dayvigo prescription. For example, you may only be able to fill a certain amount of pills. Or the number of refills your prescription can have may be limited. Controlled substance laws vary by state. Your pharmacist can provide more information regarding the laws in your area.

2. Does Dayvigo work the first time you take it?

Yes, Dayvigo should work the first time you take it.

You should always take Dayvigo right before you get into bed. Your body quickly absorbs the medication after you take a dose. And it reaches its peak effects within 1 to 3 hours. (This means that Dayvigo’s effect should be greatest within this time.)

It’s best to take your dose of Dayvigo on an empty stomach or with a light snack. The medication takes longer to work if you take it with high-fat or high-calorie foods.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Beating insomnia: Three people share their experiences with insomnia and how they were able to get the sleep they needed.

• Comparing options: Dayvigo (lemborexant) is one of several sleep medications available. Here’s a guide to prescription and over-the-counter sleep aids.

• Is a bedtime routine important? A good bedtime routine can improve your quality of sleep. Follow these sleep hygiene tips to set yourself up for a better night’s rest.

It may take a few days to decide if Dayvigo is the right sleep medication for you. If you’re not sleeping better after taking it for 7 to 10 days, let your prescriber know. You may benefit from a different insomnia treatment.

3. What can you expect when taking Dayvigo?

Most people can take Dayvigo without problems. And, as mentioned above, studies suggest that it’s safe for long-term use. But it’s still possible to experience side effects.

Common Dayvigo side effects include:

• Drowsiness, including next-day drowsiness

• Fatigue

• Headache

• Nightmares or abnormal dreams

You should only take Dayvigo if you can devote at least 7 hours to sleep. If you get less than this, you’re more likely to experience next-day drowsiness. But even if you sleep for the recommended time, you still may feel sleepy when you wake up. Don’t drive or perform other activities that require focus until you know how Dayvigo affects you.

More serious side effects are generally rare, but they include:

• Temporary sleep paralysis or inability to move while waking up

• Temporary weakness in your legs

• Abnormal sleep behaviors, such as sleepwalking and eating or driving while asleep

• New or worsening depression or suicidal thoughts

Talk to your healthcare team if you’re experiencing any serious side effects or if any side effects seem bothersome to you. They can adjust your dosage or suggest an alternative.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, you’re not alone, and help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or text HOME to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.

4. Do you build a tolerance to Dayvigo?

It’s unlikely that you’ll build a tolerance to Dayvigo. A clinical trial found that people continued to benefit from Dayvigo after taking the same dose for 1 year. This suggests that the medication should keep working well if you’re taking it long term.

If you’ve been taking Dayvigo and notice your insomnia symptoms suddenly start worsening, contact your prescriber. There may be other factors causing your symptoms. Dayvigo might not be the right option for you.

5. Do you have to wean off Dayvigo?

No, you don’t need to wean off Dayvigo. The studies discussed above also looked at whether people could suddenly stop taking it. Participants didn’t experience rebound (returning) insomnia after stopping Dayvigo. They also had no withdrawal symptoms.

But it’s still important to let your healthcare team know if you plan on stopping Dayvigo. Dayvigo interacts with several other medications. It can affect how your body breaks those medications down. Your prescriber may have adjusted doses of interacting medications while you were taking Dayvigo. They may need to readjust those dosages once you stop taking it.

How to save on Dayvigo

There are ways to save on Dayvigo, which is available as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you navigate between GoodRx coupons, copay savings cards, and patient assistance programs to save money on your prescription.

• Save with GoodRx: Anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can use GoodRx to purchase a 30-day supply of Dayvigo at an exclusive cash price of $135.

• Save with a copay savings card: If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $10 for Dayvigo using a savings card from the manufacturer.

• Save with patient assistance programs: If you’re uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for Dayvigo’s patient assistance program, which offers the medication free of charge.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Kristine Foley, PharmD

Kristine Foley is a licensed pharmacist with over 13 years of community pharmacy experience. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Rutgers University.

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Bailey E. Eason, PharmD, MS, BCPS

Bailey Eason has been licensed for 6 years and has held licenses in three states (North Carolina, Virginia, and Illinois). She has held positions as a health-system pharmacy administration resident, operating room pharmacy manager, pharmacy manager of clinical operations: surgery, neurology and controlled substances, and most recently as program director  of drug diversion for a large academic health system.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts