Dayvigo
Dayvigo (lemborexant) CIV is a medication that's used to help adults who have trouble falling or staying asleep (insomnia). This sleep medication belongs to the drug class called orexin receptor antagonists. The typical dosage for the Dayvigo (lemborexant) tablets is 5 mg or 10 mg that's taken by mouth right before bedtime. You should take the medication only if you know you can get at least 7 hours of sleep before you need to wake up the next day. Common side effects include sleepiness and headache. Dayvigo (lemborexant) is a controlled substance because it has a risk for misuse.
What is Dayvigo (lemborexant)?
What is Dayvigo (lemborexant) used for?
Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep (insomnia)
How Dayvigo (lemborexant) works
Dayvigo (lemborexant) is an orexin receptor antagonist. It works by blocking orexin, a protein in your brain that keeps you awake. By blocking orexin, Dayvigo (lemborexant) can help you fall asleep and stay asleep.
Drug Facts
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What are the risks and warnings for Dayvigo (lemborexant)?
Dayvigo (lemborexant) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Daytime sleepiness
Risk factors: Taking a higher-than-recommended dose | Taking other medications that cause sleepiness or slow your body down | Age 65 years and older | Drinking alcohol | Having less than 7 hours of sleep
Dayvigo (lemborexant) can make you very sleepy during the daytime. It can also make it harder to focus, think, or react during the day. These side effects are more likely to happen or be more intense if you're 65 years or older. Your risk for these side effects is also higher if you drink alcohol while you're taking Dayvigo (lemborexant) or if you take other medications that cause sleepiness (like benzodiazepines or other sleep medications).
Be sure to take Dayvigo (lemborexant) only if you know you can get at least 7 hours of sleep after you take the medication. If you don't get enough sleep, you're more likely to feel sleepy and have a hard time paying attention the next day.
Don't drive or operate machinery until you know how Dayvigo (lemborexant) affects you. Also don't drive or operate machinery until you're fully alert and you're able to focus. Keep in mind that these side effects can sometimes last for up to several days after the last dose of medication for some people.
Suicidal thoughts and behaviors or worsening depression
Risk factors: History of mental health problems, like depression | Insomnia
Some people with depression who take medications like Dayvigo (lemborexant) can have worsening mental health. Their depression could worsen. People who take Dayvigo (lemborexant) might also be at higher risk for having thoughts of suicide, thoughts of harming themselves, or suicidal behavior.
Your prescriber will check for your risk for self-harm and depression before you start Dayvigo (lemborexant). They'll also check in on your mental health at follow-up visits. Let your prescriber know if you have worsening depression (e.g., anxiety, difficulty sleeping, feeling angry or irritated) while you take Dayvigo (lemborexant). Call 911 right away if you or your loved ones notice that you have suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Sleep paralysis, hallucinations, and cataplexy-like symptoms
Some people who take Dayvigo (lemborexant) might experience sleep paralysis. This happens when you can't move or speak for up to several minutes after you start to wake up. Some people have also had hallucinations (seeing things that aren't real). And others might have cataplexy-like symptoms, like sudden muscle weakness and paralysis that might be set off by sudden, strong emotions like laughter, surprise, or stress. Contact your prescriber if you or your loved ones notice that you have these experiences while you're taking Dayvigo (lemborexant).
Abnormal sleep behaviors
Some people who take sleep medications like Dayvigo (lemborexant) have experienced "complex sleep behaviors." These unusual behaviors can include sleepwalking, sleep-driving, and doing things while they're not completely awake (e.g., cooking and eating food, having a conversation, having sex).
These abnormal sleep behaviors can happen to anyone who takes Dayvigo (lemborexant) and at any time during treatment. And you might not remember doing these things. Stop taking this medication and contact your prescriber right away if your loved ones say that they've noticed these behaviors.
Use with caution in people with breathing problems
Risk factors: History of breathing problems (e.g., sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD)
Let your prescriber know if you have any breathing problems before you start taking Dayvigo (lemborexant). It's not completely clear whether this medication can worsen breathing problems such as sleep apnea or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Talk with your prescriber to see whether Dayvigo (lemborexant) is safe for you to take.
What are the side effects of Dayvigo (lemborexant)?
Common Side Effects
- Feeling sleepy or tired (up to 10%)
- Headache (up to 6%)
- Nightmares or unusual dreams (up to 2%)
Other Side Effects
- Sleep paralysis
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't real)
- Weakness in the legs
Serious Side Effects
- Excessive sleepiness: daytime sleepiness, trouble focusing or staying alert
- Abnormal sleep behaviors: sleepwalking; sleep-driving; sleeping during activities; sleep paralysis (can't move or talk for several minutes while waking up); eating food, making phone calls, and having sex while asleep
- Depression: anxiety, trouble sleeping, feeling angry or irritated, restlessness
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
Source: DailyMed
The following side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- CNS depression—slow or shallow breathing, shortness of breath, feeling faint, dizziness, confusion, trouble staying awake
- Mood and behavior changes—anxiety, nervousness, confusion, hallucinations, irritability, hostility, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
- Unable to move or speak for several minutes upon waking or going to sleep
- Unusual sleep behaviors or activities you do not remember such as driving, eating, or sexual activity
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Drowsiness the day after use
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Vivid dreams or nightmares
Pros and cons of Dayvigo (lemborexant)
Pros
Can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer
Taken right before you plan to go to sleep
Not likely to cause withdrawal if you stop taking the medication suddenly
Cons
Can cause daytime sleepiness, especially if you get less than the recommended 7 hours of sleep after you take the medication
Not recommended for people with severe liver problems
Not known if it's safe or if it works well for children
Pharmacist tips for Dayvigo (lemborexant)
You can take Dayvigo (lemborexant) with or without food. But keep in mind that taking the medication with high-fat and high-calorie foods can make it take a little longer to start working to help you sleep.
Take Dayvigo (lemborexant) every night right before you go to bed. Ask your prescriber about your options if you feel like you don't need to take it every night.
Only take Dayvigo (lemborexant) if you plan to get at least 7 hours of sleep. If you can't get 7 full hours of sleep after you take the medication, you're more likely to feel sleepier during the daytime the next day.
You might feel sleepy the next day after you take Dayvigo (lemborexant). Avoid doing anything that you need to give your full attention to (like driving or operating heavy machinery) until you know how you feel the day after you take the medication. Avoid doing these things until you're fully awake.
Avoid drinking alcohol while you're taking Dayvigo (lemborexant). Also, don't take other medications that also make you sleepy while you're taking Dayvigo (lemborexant) unless your prescriber said it's safe for you. It can make side effects like daytime sleepiness worse.
Contact your prescriber if Dayvigo (lemborexant) doesn't help with your sleep after you've taken it for up to 10 days. This could mean that your sleep problems are related to a different medical issue.
Tell your healthcare team about all of the medications and over-the-counter products that you're taking or planning to take. Your care team can check for interactions that Dayvigo (lemborexant) can have with other medications, like certain antibiotics, seizure medications, and herbal supplements. Your care team can make sure that your medications are safe to take together.
Discuss the risks and benefits of breastfeeding while you're taking Dayvigo (lemborexant) with your prescriber or lactating consultant. A low amount of medication can get into breast milk. This might make your breastfed baby sleepy, especially if they're a newborn or if they're premature (born too early).
Frequently asked questions about Dayvigo (lemborexant)
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Dayvigo (lemborexant) dosage forms
Typical dosing for Dayvigo (lemborexant)
The typical dose is 5 mg by mouth right before you go to bed. If you're still having trouble sleeping, your prescriber might raise the dose to 10 mg by mouth right before you go to bed.
For most people, the maximum dose for most people is 10 mg per day.
For people with moderate liver problems or for people who are taking certain medications that interact with Dayvigo (lemborexant), the maximum dose is 5 mg per day.
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References
Best studies we foundDrugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®). (2024). Lemborexant. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Eisai Inc. (2025). Dayvigo- lemborexant tablet, film coated [package insert]. DailyMed.
Moline, M., et al. (2023). The abuse potential of lemborexant, a dual orexin receptor antagonist, according to the 8 factors of the Controlled Substances Act. Psychopharmacology.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2025). Narcolepsy.
Rhodes, M. A., (2021). Lemborexant (Dayvigo) for the treatment of insomnia. American Family Physician.
Sakurai, T. (2007). The neural circuit of orexin (hypocretin): Maintaining sleep and wakefulness. Nature Reviews Neuroscience.
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