Ramelteon (Rozerem) is a sleeping pill used to treat insomnia in adults. It belongs to the drug class known as melatonin receptor agonists and works like melatonin. Ramelteon (Rozerem) is taken by mouth, typically about 30 minutes before bedtime. Unlike some other prescription sleep medications, ramelteon (Rozerem) isn't a controlled substance nor known to be habit-forming. Side effects of ramelteon (Rozerem) aren't common, but can include drowsiness and dizziness.
Insomnia (difficulty falling asleep)
Ramelteon (Rozerem) is a melatonin receptor agonists. It acts like melatonin, a natural hormone that your body makes when it's dark. This hormone tells your body to go to sleep in order to maintain a regular sleeping cycle.
Source: DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Dizziness
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
Less common
Body aches or pain
change in taste
chills
difficulty in breathing
difficulty in moving
discouragement
ear congestion
feeling sad or empty
general feeling of discomfort or illness
irritability
joint pain
loss of appetite
loss of interest or pleasure
loss of taste
loss of voice
muscle aching or cramping
muscle pain or stiffness
pain in joints
shivering
sweating
swollen joints
trouble concentrating
trouble sleeping
unable to sleep
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Taken by mouth
Not a controlled substance and isn't known to be habit-forming
Fewer side effects than some other sleep medications
Available as a generic medication
Shouldn't take with or right after a high-fat meal
Can interact with many medications, including fluconazole, rifampin, and fluvoxamine
Not recommended for people with sleep apnea or severe liver problems
Take ramelteon (Rozerem) on an empty stomach 30 minutes before you sleep. This helps your body absorb the medication faster so that you can fall asleep sooner.
Swallow the ramelteon (Rozerem) tablet whole. Don't break, crush, or chew the tablets.
After taking ramelteon (Rozerem), make sure you are fully prepared for bed. Create a relaxing environment by turning down the lights and turning off your phone.
Take ramelteon (Rozerem) only if you have time to get a full night's sleep. If you don't get enough sleep, you may be less alert the next day.
Talk to your prescriber if you continue to have insomnia after 7 to 10 days of taking ramelteon (Rozerem) daily. There might be another condition causing your insomnia and it’s important that you get re-examined.
Don't drink alcohol with ramelteon (Rozerem) as it can raise your risk of experiencing side effects such as unusual behaviors or worsening depression. If you experience these side effects after taking ramelteon (Rozerem), talk to your healthcare professional (HCP) as you might need to stop taking the medication.
Don't drive after taking ramelteon (Rozerem) until you are fully alert. You might feel drowsy the next day after taking this medication.
Ramelteon (Rozerem) 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.
In rare cases, ramelteon (Rozerem) can cause swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat due to an allergic reaction. Some people also have nausea and vomiting. This can happen either after your first dose or after taking multiple doses. If you have any of these symptoms, stop taking the medication and get emergency medical help right away.
Risk factors: Taking ramelteon (Rozerem) with alcohol | Taking ramelteon (Rozerem) with other medications that slow brain activity (CNS depressants) | History of depression
People taking ramelteon (Rozerem) have experienced changes in their behavior or have had unusual thoughts. This includes hallucinations, worsening depression, and suicidal thoughts. People have also done activities in their sleep while taking ramelteon (Rozerem) that they're unaware of or don’t remember, such as driving, cooking, eating, and making phone calls. If this happens, talk to your healthcare professional (HCP) right away, as you'll likely need to stop taking the medication.
If your insomnia worsens or isn’t getting better after 7 to 10 days of taking ramelteon (Rozerem), it might be caused by another condition. It’s important to talk to your HCP to re-examine the cause of your insomnia so that they can help find the best treatment for you.
Ramelteon (Rozerem) is taken to help you sleep. Don’t drive or do anything that requires concentration after taking ramelteon (Rozerem). Also, don't take ramelteon (Rozerem) any sooner than 30 minutes before you're about to go to bed. Wait until you're ready to go to sleep before you take your dose. Then, you should still avoid driving or doing other dangerous activities until you feel fully awake.
Ramelteon (Rozerem) can cause changes in your hormones, including lowering your testosterone level and raising your prolactin level. It's unclear whether these changes will lead to any physical side effects. Talk to your prescriber if this is a concern for you.
Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
---|---|---|---|
8mg | 30 tablets | $37.64 | $1.25 |
Adults: The typical dose is 8 mg by mouth within 30 minutes of bedtime. Don't take ramelteon (Rozerem) with or right after a high-fat meal.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Taking fluvoxamine at the same time as ramelteon (Rozerem)
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TruPharma, LLC. (2023). Ramelteon tablet, film coated [package insert]. DailyMed.
You and Your Hormones. (2023). Prolactin.
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