Ramelteon (Rozerem) for Insomnia: Dosage, Side Effects & Warnings

Ramelteon (Rozerem) for Insomnia:
Dosage, Side Effects & Warnings

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21 November, 22

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Medications Ramelteon (Rozerem) for Insomnia: Dosage, Side Effects & Warnings

Studies have shown that about 25-50% of the adult population experience occasional or acute insomnia symptoms, while only 8% use sleeping pills to manage the symptoms. Getting poor sleep can bring quite a discomfort into your life and significantly worsen its quality. It may result in overeating and obesity, high blood pressure and heart problems, lower immune system function, depression, or other serious diseases.

Addressing your sleep disorder may be possible with the sedative ramelteon (Rozerem). In this article, we have described who can benefit from this sleeping pill and how it works.

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What is Rozerem?

Brand name: Rozerem; generic name: ramelteon.

Ramelton (Rozerem) is a hypnotic sedative and a melatonin receptor agonist which means it mimics melatonin. Your body naturally produces melatonin when it gets dark to help you with a regular sleep cycle. Ramelton helps you fall asleep sooner, just like melatonin does.

Rozerem works differently than other sleep aids. It targets specific switches in the brain region that controls sleep, a group of brain cells known as the SCN (the suprachiasmatic nucleus). Rozerem enhances the body’s natural tendency to fall asleep by activating these switches, also known as melatonin receptors.

Rozerem vs. Melatonin

Over-the-counter melatonin supplements have less impact on the brain’s sleep center than Rozerem. Also, there is little evidence that melatonin supplements help treat insomnia, while Rozerem has been tested in well-designed research.

Rozerem differs from melatonin in the duration of the effect and half-life: they are considerably longer in ramelteon than those of melatonin. The effects from ramelteon dosage last up to 6 hours, while the effects of exogenous melatonin last only up to 2 hours.

Rozerem vs. Ambien

The difference between ramelteon (Rozerem) and zolpidem (Ambien) is that the former is not habit-forming. By the FDA’s classification, Rozerem is a non-controlled medication; thus, the risk for abuse is very low compared to Ambien, which can cause addiction.

Ambien can only be taken short-term, and Rozerem can be used for longer insomnia treatment. Rozerem may be tolerated better with fewer side effects than Ambien.

Rozerem Dosage

Typically, the dose is 8 mg by mouth. It should be taken on an empty stomach 30 mins before bedtime. The dose of ramelteon (Rozerem) should not exceed 8 mg daily. If your doctor prescribes you a different dose, do not change it unless you are told to do so.

Consult a doctor who will screen your condition and give you a prescription for sleep medication.

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Rozerem Side Effects

Even if Rozerem works for you, you can still be affected by side effects.

More common side effects:

Dizziness
Nausea
Fatigue
Sleepiness
Worsening insomnia

Less common side effects:

Body aches or pain
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Feeling sad or depressed
A general feeling of discomfort or illness
Sleeplessness
Unusual tiredness or weakness
Shivering
Loss of appetite
Vomiting
Trouble concentrating
Worsening depression and suicidal ideation
Angioedema: swelling of your face, throat, tongue, or lips, tongue

Rozerem can decrease testosterone and increase prolactin levels which may cause sexual problems such as low sex drive, changes in breast size of both men and women, and menstrual problems. It has also been reported that some patients may develop complex sleep behavior, such as sleep eating, sleepwalking, sleep driving, etc.

Immediately check with your doctor in case you experience any side effects.

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Intake Recommendations and Warnings

Follow these instructions when taking Rozerem:

Take a sleeping pill within 30 minutes before going to sleep and limit your activities to prepare for going to bed.
Ensure you can have 7-8 hours of sleep after taking it.
Avoid high-fat meals before bed, as Rozerem should not be taken with or right after them.
The tablet should be swallowed as a whole, do not break it (if anything, consult your doctor).

There is also quite a big list of medications and supplements that may interact with ramelteon (Rozerem). Always disclose to your doctor any other drugs or supplements you are taking, including any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbs.

Bottom Line: How to Get Rid of Insomnia?

Rozerem medication is suitable for people with trouble falling asleep for long-term treatment. It can let you sleep for 7-8 hours every night, and you will not likely feel hungover after waking up.

If you have symptoms of a sleeping disorder, take control of them together with a professional assistant who will guide you to a better quality of life. Remember that only a doctor can diagnose insomnia with the help of questionnaires, assessments, and other medical tools.

MEDvidi is a medical center with top licensed MDs who can evaluate your condition during an online appointment from anywhere you are. If necessary, they will prescribe the best sleeping meds for you and help you improve your sleep.