 is a prescription medication used to treat insomnia. Rozerem belongs to a group of drugs called melatonin receptor agonists. It works by stimulating melatonin receptors, helping you fall asleep more easily. This medication comes in tablet form. It is usually taken once a day, within 30 minutes of going to bed, with a full glass of water.Common side effects of Rozerem are drowsiness, tiredness, and dizziness. "Pin It")
Rozerem Overview
Rozerem (generic: ramelteon) is a prescription medication used to treat insomnia. Rozerem belongs to a group of drugs called melatonin receptor agonists. It works by stimulating melatonin receptors, helping you fall asleep more easily.
This medication comes in tablet form. It is usually taken once a day, within 30 minutes of going to bed, with a full glass of water.
Common side effects of Rozerem are drowsiness, tiredness, and dizziness.
Uses of Rozerem
Rozerem is a prescription sleep medicine. It is for adults that have insomnia, particularly difficulty falling asleep. Unlike many sleep medications, Rozerem is not habit-forming.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Side Effects of Rozerem
Possible serious side effects of Rozerem include:
- severe allergic reactions. Symptoms include swelling of the tongue or throat, trouble breathing, and nausea and vomiting. Get emergency medical help if you get these symptoms after taking Rozerem.
- getting out of bed while not being fully awake and do an activity that you do not know you are doing. See "Precautions".
- abnormal thoughts and behavior. Symptoms include worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, nightmares, and hallucinations.
- hormone effects. Rozerem can decrease testosterone levels and increase prolactin levels in the blood. Symptoms of low testosterone or high prolactin levels are:
- decreased interest in sex
- problems getting pregnant
- irregular menstrual periods or no menstrual periods
- leakage of milk from the nipples of a person who is not breastfeeding
The most common side effects of Rozerem are:
- drowsiness
- tiredness
- dizziness
- You may still feel drowsy the next day after taking Rozerem. Do not drive or do other dangerous activities after taking Rozerem until you feel fully awake.
This is not a complete list of Rozerem side effects. Talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns about side effects.
Rozerem Interactions
Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements. Medicines can interact with each other, sometimes causing serious side effects.
Do not take Rozerem with:
- other medicines that can make you sleepy
- Luvox (fluvoxamine)
This is not a complete list of Rozerem drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Rozerem Precautions
Rozerem may cause severe allergic reactions. Symptoms include:
- swelling of the tongue or throat
- trouble breathing
- nausea
- vomiting
Seek emergency medical attention if you get these symptoms after taking Rozerem. Do not take Rozerem if you are allergic to anything in it. See "Forms of Medication" for a list of ingredients.
After taking Rozerem, you may get up out of bed while not being fully awake and do an activity that you do not know you are doing including:
- driving a car ("sleep-driving")
- making and eating food
- talking on the phone
- having sex
- sleep-walking
The next morning, you may not remember that you did anything during the night. You have a higher chance for doing these activities if you drink alcohol or take other medicines that make you sleepy with Rozerem. Call your doctor right away if you find out that you have done any of the above activities after taking Rozerem.
Take Rozerem about 30 minutes before going to bed. Do not take it sooner. Take Rozerem if you can get a full night's sleep. Take Rozerem exactly as prescribed. Never take more than prescribed.
- Do not drink alcohol while taking Rozerem.
- Do not take Rozerem with other medicines that make you sleepy.
Rozerem Food Interactions
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Rozerem and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor.
Inform MD
Before starting Rozerem, tell your doctor about all of your health conditions, including if you:
- have a history of depression,
- have a history of mental illness, or suicidal thoughts
- have liver disease
- have a lung disease or breathing problems
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal supplements.
Rozerem and Pregnancy
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Rozerem will harm your unborn baby.
Rozerem and Lactation
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if Rozerem is excreted in human breast milk or if it will harm your nursing baby.
Rozerem Usage
- Take Rozerem exactly as prescribed. Do not take more Rozerem than prescribed for you.
- Do not break the tablets. They should be swallowed whole.
- Take Rozerem within 30 minutes of going to bed. After taking Rozerem only do activities to get ready for bed.
- Do not take Rozerem with or right after a meal.
- Do not take Rozerem unless you are able to get a full night's sleep before you must be active again.
- Call your doctor if your insomnia worsens or is not better within 7-10 days. This may mean that there is another condition causing your sleep problems.
- If you take too much Rozerem or overdose, call your doctor or poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment.
Rozerem Dosage
Take Rozerem exactly as prescribed. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. The recommended Rozerem dose is 8 mg taken within 30 minutes of going to bed.
Rozerem Overdose
If you take too much Rozerem or overdose, call your doctor or poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment.
Forms of Rozerem
Rozerem is available in an 8 mg strength tablet.
Other Requirements
- Store Rozerem tablets at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed and protected from moisture and humidity.
- Keep Rozerem and all medicines out of reach of children.
