Sunosi (solriamfetol) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness. The drug comes as a tablet that you swallow. It’s usually taken once per day.
Sunosi treats excessive daytime sleepiness in adults with:
The active ingredient in Sunosi is solriamfetol. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)
Sunosi belongs to a group of drugs called dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.
This article describes the dosages of Sunosi, its strengths, and how to take it. To learn more about Sunosi, see this in-depth article.
The table below highlights the basics of Sunosi’s dosages. All doses are listed in milligrams (mg).
| Underlying condition | Starting dosage | How often to take | Maximum dosage |
| narcolepsy | 75 mg | once per day | 150 mg |
| obstructive sleep apnea | 37.5 mg | once per day | 150 mg |
What is Sunosi’s form?
Sunosi is available as a tablet that you swallow.
What strengths does Sunosi come in?
Sunosi comes in two strengths: 75 mg and 150 mg.
If you’re prescribed the 37.5-mg dose, the 75-mg tablet can be cut in half. To learn more, see the “How is Sunosi taken?” section below.
What are the usual dosages of Sunosi?
Your doctor will likely start you on a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for narcolepsy
The recommended starting dosage of Sunosi for narcolepsy is 75 mg taken once per day. Your doctor may increase your dosage every 3 days until they find the dosage that works best for you. The maximum recommended Sunosi dosage is 150 mg taken once per day.
Dosage for obstructive sleep apnea
The recommended starting dosage of Sunosi for obstructive sleep apnea is 37.5 mg taken once per day. Your doctor may increase your dosage every 3 days until they find the dosage that works best for you. The maximum recommended Sunosi dosage is 150 mg taken once per day.
Is Sunosi used long term?
Yes, Sunosi is usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
Dosage adjustments
If you have kidney problems, your doctor will prescribe a lower dose of Sunosi for you.
If you have moderate kidney disease, your doctor will prescribe a starting dosage of 37.5 mg taken once per day. If needed, they’ll increase your dose after 7 days up to a maximum dosage of 75 mg taken once daily.
If you have severe kidney disease, both the starting dosage and maximum dosage are 37.5 mg taken once per day.
And if you have end-stage kidney disease, your doctor will recommend a different medication for you.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Sunosi’s dosage.
How does the dosage of Sunosi compare with that of other similar drugs, such as Provigil or Adderall?
Sunosi’s dosage is usually lower than the dosage for Provigil (modafinil). If you’re taking Provigil for daytime sleepiness caused by narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea, you’ll usually take 200 milligrams (mg) once per day. The maximum dosage of Sunosi is 150 mg per day.
The dosage of Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) may be higher or lower than the Sunosi dosage. If you’re taking Adderall for daytime sleepiness caused by narcolepsy, your dosage will be 5 mg to 60 mg per day. Your doctor will find the dosage that works best for you.
The daily dose of Adderall is usually split into two or three smaller doses throughout the day. Sunosi is taken only once per day.
Because Sunosi, Provigil, and Adderall have different active ingredients,* the number of milligrams in each drug does not produce the same effect. For example, 5 mg of Adderall is not equal to 5 mg of Provigil or Sunosi.
If you have questions about which medication might be best for you, talk with your doctor.
* An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.
Do older adults have to take a lower dose of Sunosi?
No. Older adults usually don’t need to take a lower dose of Sunosi. But in general, older adults are more likely to have kidney problems.
If you have moderate to severe kidney disease, you’ll need to take a lower dose of Sunosi. Your doctor will prescribe the dose that’s best for you based on how well your kidneys work.
If you have questions about your Sunosi dosage, talk with your doctor.
The dosage of Sunosi you’re prescribed may depend on a few factors. These include:
- the severity of your daytime sleepiness
- the underlying condition causing the daytime sleepiness
- if you have kidney problems (see “Dosage adjustments” in the “What is Sunosi’s dosage?” section above)
Sunosi comes as a tablet that you swallow. You’ll take it once per day, preferably in the morning right after waking up. You can take Sunosi with or without food.
You should not take Sunosi in the 9 hours before you go to bed. Sunosi can prevent you from sleeping if taken too close to bedtime.
If you’re prescribed the 37.5-mg dose, the 75-mg tablet can be cut in half. You can ask your pharmacist for a device that splits tablets. If it’s hard for you to split tablets, you can ask your pharmacist to do it for you.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication.
For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Sunosi, see this article.
Accessible drug containers and labels
Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print or use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
If you have trouble opening medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to supply Sunosi in an easy-open container. They may also have tips to help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.
If you miss a dose of Sunosi, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take more than one dose in a day, as this can increase your risk of side effects. You should not take Sunosi within 9 hours of going to bed. If you realize you’ve missed a dose but plan to sleep within the next 9 hours, just skip the missed dose. Then, take your next dose the following day as usual.
If you need help remembering to take your dose of Sunosi on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.
Sunosi carries a risk of misuse. (With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how a doctor prescribes it.)
Sunosi is a controlled substance and is classified as a Schedule IV prescription drug. This means it has some risk of misuse. Due to this risk, your doctor may not prescribe Sunosi if you have alcohol use disorder or another type of substance use disorder. They may also not prescribe Sunosi if you’ve been treated for one of these conditions in the past.
If you have questions about the risk of misuse with Sunosi, talk with your doctor.
Do not take more Sunosi than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to serious side effects.
What to do in case you take too much Sunosi
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Sunosi. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Sunosi for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Remember, you should not change your dosage of Sunosi without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Sunosi exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.
Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Should my Sunosi dosage change if I start taking other medications?
- Can I take more than 150 mg of Sunosi if that dose isn’t working for me?
- Will I have more side effects if I take a higher dose of Sunosi?
To learn more about Sunosi, see these articles:
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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.