Sunosi Side Effects: What to Expect and When to Call Your Doctor

Sunosi (solriamfetol) is generally well-tolerated for most people who take it for narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). But like all medications, it can cause side effects — some common and manageable, others more serious and requiring prompt medical attention. Here's what you should know before starting Sunosi and throughout treatment.

Common Side Effects of Sunosi

The most frequently reported side effects in clinical trials of Sunosi include:

Headache — reported by a meaningful percentage of patients across clinical studies

Nausea — usually mild; often improves after the first few weeks

Decreased appetite — common with stimulant-like wakefulness agents

Anxiety — particularly at higher doses; one of the most common reasons for discontinuation

Insomnia — do not take Sunosi within 9 hours of planned bedtime to minimize this risk

Irritability — mood changes were reported in clinical trials

Feeling jittery or restless — related to the drug's mechanism (increasing norepinephrine)

Dry mouth — drinking more water throughout the day can help

Dizziness — typically mild; usually occurs in the first few days

Constipation, abdominal pain, or diarrhea — GI effects reported in a minority of patients

Increased sweating — related to adrenergic stimulation

Many of these effects are mild and tend to improve as your body adjusts to Sunosi. If any of these symptoms persist or worsen, contact your healthcare provider.

Serious Side Effects: When to Call Your Doctor Right Away

Certain side effects require prompt medical attention. Contact your doctor or seek emergency care if you experience:

Dangerously high blood pressure: Sunosi causes dose-dependent increases in blood pressure. Seek emergency care immediately if systolic BP ≥180 or diastolic BP ≥120, or if you have chest pain, severe headache, or sudden weakness on one side of your body.

Rapid or irregular heartbeat: Contact your doctor if your heart rate is greater than 100 beats per minute at rest for more than a few minutes, or if you experience palpitations that are new or worsening.

Psychiatric symptoms: New or worsening hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, manic episodes, or suicidal thoughts. Sunosi should be used with caution in patients with a history of psychosis or bipolar disorder.

Severe allergic reaction: Rare but possible. Symptoms include hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face/lips/tongue/throat. Call 911 immediately.

Cardiovascular Monitoring: What You Need to Know

One of the most clinically important things to understand about Sunosi is its cardiovascular effect. In a dose-dependent fashion, Sunosi increases both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as heart rate. Before starting Sunosi, your doctor should:

Measure your blood pressure and heart rate at baseline

Ensure any pre-existing hypertension is adequately controlled

Monitor BP and HR periodically during treatment

Sunosi should be used with particular caution — or avoided — in patients with known cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, serious arrhythmias, or uncontrolled hypertension.

Does Sunosi Cause Withdrawal?

Good news: clinical studies showed that Sunosi did not cause withdrawal symptoms when stopped abruptly. Unlike traditional stimulants, you are unlikely to experience physical withdrawal after stopping Sunosi. However, your EDS symptoms will return — sometimes quickly — which is why working with your doctor on any medication changes is important.

Tips to Minimize Sunosi Side Effects

Take Sunosi exactly as prescribed — once daily upon awakening

Do not take within 9 hours of your planned bedtime to reduce insomnia risk

Start at the lowest effective dose (37.5 mg for OSA; 75 mg for narcolepsy)

Monitor your blood pressure at home using a home BP cuff

Report any mood changes or psychiatric symptoms to your doctor promptly

Find Sunosi and Manage Your Treatment with medfinder

Managing your side effects is easier when you're not also worrying about finding your medication. medfinder calls pharmacies in your area to find Sunosi in stock, so you can focus on your health. Also review our guide on Sunosi drug interactions to understand what to tell your doctor.