Comprehensive medication guide to Sunosi including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$9–$60 copay for commercially insured patients; Tier 3–4 on most formularies; prior authorization required; eligible commercial patients can pay as little as $9 for a 90-day supply with the Axsome savings card.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$1,100–$1,230 retail for a 30-day supply of Sunosi 150 mg; as low as $963 with a GoodRx coupon or ~$808 with SingleCare at participating pharmacies.
Medfinder Findability Score
72/100
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Sunosi (solriamfetol) is a prescription wakefulness-promoting medication approved by the FDA in March 2019. It is used to improve wakefulness in adults with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) associated with narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Sunosi is the brand name for solriamfetol, currently distributed in the United States by Axsome Therapeutics.
Sunosi was the first dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (DNRI) approved for treating EDS. It is available as 75 mg and 150 mg film-coated tablets, taken once daily upon awakening. Sunosi is classified as a Schedule IV (CIV) federally controlled substance.
Sunosi is brand-name only — no generic version of solriamfetol is currently available, with the earliest generic expected around 2042. As of 2026, Sunosi is also in Phase 3 clinical trials for ADHD, binge eating disorder, major depressive disorder, and circadian rhythm sleep disorders, though none of these are FDA-approved indications.
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Sunosi (solriamfetol) works as a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (DNRI). It blocks the transporter proteins — the dopamine transporter (DAT) and the norepinephrine transporter (NET) — that normally remove these neurotransmitters from brain synapses after they've been released. By blocking this reuptake process, Sunosi increases the availability of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain.
Dopamine and norepinephrine are two of the brain's primary wakefulness-promoting neurotransmitters. By keeping these chemicals active in the synapse longer, Sunosi promotes sustained wakefulness throughout the day. Sunosi also acts as a TAAR1 (trace amine-associated receptor 1) agonist at clinically relevant concentrations, which may contribute to its wakefulness effects through a secondary mechanism.
Sunosi has approximately 95% oral bioavailability, reaches peak blood levels about 2 hours after taking it, and has an elimination half-life of about 7.1 hours. It is minimally metabolized and predominantly eliminated unchanged through urine, which is why dose adjustments are required in patients with significant renal impairment.
75 mg — film-coated tablet
Starting dose for narcolepsy; also used as half-tablet (37.5 mg) starting dose for OSA. Has a score line for splitting.
150 mg — film-coated tablet
Maximum daily dose for both narcolepsy and OSA; used after titration from lower doses.
Sunosi is not currently on the FDA's official drug shortage list as of 2026. However, patients frequently report difficulty filling their prescriptions at local pharmacies. This is primarily due to Sunosi's brand-only status (no generic available), its Schedule IV controlled substance classification, and its high retail price ($1,100–$1,230/month), which leads pharmacies to stock it conservatively.
Patients with narcolepsy or OSA who are prescribed Sunosi may need to call multiple pharmacies to find their dose in stock. The 75 mg and 150 mg strengths are not always equally available at the same location. Mail-order pharmacies with large-scale operations typically have more reliable stock than local retail pharmacies.
If you're struggling to find Sunosi, medfinder calls pharmacies near you to find which ones have Sunosi in stock — and texts you the results. This saves patients with narcolepsy or OSA the time and frustration of calling pharmacies themselves.
As a Schedule IV (CIV) controlled substance, Sunosi must be prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider with a valid DEA registration. Any DEA-registered prescriber may write for Sunosi, but many insurance payers require the prescription to come from — or be authorized by — a specialist in the relevant condition.
Sleep disorder specialists (board-certified sleep medicine physicians)
Neurologists
Psychiatrists
Primary care physicians (PCPs) (family medicine, internal medicine)
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) with Schedule IV DEA prescribing authority (varies by state)
Telehealth providers can prescribe Sunosi for established patients with an existing diagnosis of narcolepsy or OSA, subject to state-specific telehealth prescribing laws. The initial diagnosis (requiring in-person sleep studies) typically cannot be made via telehealth alone.
Yes. Sunosi (solriamfetol) is a federally controlled substance classified as Schedule IV (CIV) by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. This classification reflects that Sunosi has an accepted medical use and a lower potential for abuse and dependence compared to Schedule I–III drugs, but higher than unscheduled medications.
The Schedule IV classification was based on human abuse potential studies showing that Sunosi at higher-than-approved doses produced drug-liking responses similar to phentermine (also Schedule IV), but significantly lower than Schedule II controlled stimulants like amphetamine. Clinical studies did not demonstrate withdrawal symptoms upon abrupt discontinuation.
Practical implications of Schedule IV status: A valid prescription from a DEA-registered prescriber is required; the prescription can be refilled up to 5 times within 6 months of the prescription date; Sunosi must be stored securely; it cannot be given or sold to others; and unused tablets should be disposed of via medication take-back programs.
The most commonly reported side effects in clinical trials include:
Headache
Nausea
Decreased appetite
Anxiety
Insomnia (do not take within 9 hours of planned bedtime)
Irritability and feeling jittery
Dry mouth, dizziness, increased sweating
Increased blood pressure and heart rate: Dose-dependent; monitor BP and HR before and during treatment. Seek emergency care for systolic BP ≥180, diastolic BP ≥120, or resting heart rate >100 bpm.
Psychiatric symptoms: New or worsening hallucinations, mania, or suicidal thoughts — contact your doctor immediately.
Severe allergic reaction: Hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of face/throat — call 911 immediately.
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Modafinil (Provigil)
Generic widely available; Schedule IV; FDA-approved for narcolepsy, OSA, and shift work disorder; dramatically lower cost ($15–$40/month with coupons); first-line for most insurance step therapy.
Armodafinil (Nuvigil)
Generic available; Schedule IV; FDA-approved for narcolepsy, OSA, and shift work disorder; longer half-life than modafinil; similar cost profile to generic modafinil.
Pitolisant (Wakix)
Not a controlled substance; FDA-approved for narcolepsy EDS and cataplexy (not OSA); histamine H3 receptor mechanism; different side effect profile; brand-only.
Sodium Oxybate (Xyrem / Xywav)
Schedule III; FDA-approved for narcolepsy with cataplexy; taken at night; REMS program required; Xywav also approved for idiopathic hypersomnia; fundamentally different mechanism (CNS depressant).
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MAOIs (isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline, rasagiline, linezolid)
majorContraindicated. Combining Sunosi with MAOIs can cause hypertensive crisis due to additive adrenergic effects. Allow 14 days after stopping MAOI before starting Sunosi.
Antihypertensive medications
moderateSunosi may reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure medications due to its dose-dependent effect on raising BP and HR. Monitor blood pressure more closely and adjust antihypertensive regimen as needed.
Yohimbine
moderateBoth Sunosi and yohimbine increase sympathetic (adrenergic) effects including blood pressure and heart rate. Use with caution and monitor closely.
Other dopaminergic agents (levodopa, dopamine agonists)
moderatePotential pharmacodynamic interactions due to additive dopamine-increasing effects. Interactions have not been fully studied; use with caution.
Decongestants (pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine)
moderateAdditive cardiovascular stimulating effects (increased BP, HR). Avoid high-dose decongestant combinations while on Sunosi.
Sunosi (solriamfetol) represents an important advance in the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness for both narcolepsy and OSA patients. As the first DNRI approved for this indication, it offers a mechanism of action that clinical evidence suggests may be superior to older wakefulness agents like modafinil for some patients — particularly those with OSA. Its once-daily dosing and lack of withdrawal effects are practical advantages.
The main challenges with Sunosi are cost (brand-only, $1,100–$1,230/month without insurance), the prior authorization burden for most insurance plans, and the need to locate it at pharmacies that stock it. Generic alternatives like modafinil remain far more accessible and affordable for many patients.
If you've been prescribed Sunosi, make sure to ask your prescriber about the Axsome savings card and free trial voucher to manage costs. And when you need to find Sunosi in stock near you, medfinder can call pharmacies on your behalf and text you which ones have your medication available — saving you the frustration of calling around.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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