Dexmedetomidine and Suvorexant interaction

Dexmedetomidine and Suvorexant: both prescribing labels describe an interaction that usually calls for monitoring, a dose change, or spacing the doses.

Moderate

Usually manageable with monitoring or a dose change. Tell your pharmacist you take both.

What the FDA labels say

From the Dexmedetomidine label · effective 2026-06-02

Moderate

Anesthetics, Sedatives, Hypnotics, Opioids: Enhancement of pharmacodynamic effects.

Drug interactionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

Anesthetics, Sedatives, Hypnotics, Opioids Co-administration of dexmedetomidine with anesthetics, sedatives, hypnotics, and opioids is likely to lead to an enhancement of effects.

Drug interactionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

However, due to possible pharmacodynamic interactions, when co-administered with dexmedetomidine, a reduction in dosage of dexmedetomidine or the concomitant anesthetic, sedative, hypnotic or opioid may be required.

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From the Suvorexant (BELSOMRA) label · effective 2025-03-10

Moderate

Co-administration with other CNS depressants (e.g., benzodiazepines, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants, alcohol) increases the risk of CNS depression.

Warnings and precautionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Moderate

The risk of next-day impairment, including impaired driving, is increased if BELSOMRA is taken with less than a full night of sleep remaining, if a higher than the recommended dose is taken, if co-administered with other CNS depressants, or if co-administered with other drugs that increase blood levels of BELSOMRA.

Warnings and precautionsby drug classView label on DailyMed
Minor

Complex sleep behaviors may occur following the first or any subsequent use of BELSOMRA, with or without the concomitant use of alcohol and other CNS depressants [see Drug Interactions (7.1) ] .

Warnings and precautionsby drug classView label on DailyMed

Taking more than these two? Interactions stack. Check your whole list at once; it stays in your browser.

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Not medical advice. Interaction Checker quotes FDA label text and NIH fact sheets. Whether an interaction matters for you depends on doses, timing, kidney and liver function, and other conditions. Confirm with a pharmacist or prescriber.