What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-Liver disease
-Lung or breathing disease, such as asthma or COPD
-Mental health condition
-Substance use disorder
-Sleep apnea
-Suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt by you or a family member
-An unusual or allergic reaction to ramelteon, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-Breast-feeding
What may interact with this medication?
Do not take this medication with any of the following:
-Fluvoxamine
-Melatonin
-Tasimelteon
-Viloxazine
This medication may also interact with the following:
-Alcohol
-Certain medications for fungal infections, such as ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole
-Ciprofloxacin
-Donepezil
-Doxepin
-Other medications for sleep
-Rifampin
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse.
Plan to go to bed and stay in bed for a full night (7 to 8 hours) after you take this medication. You may still be drowsy the morning after taking this medication. This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.
You may do unusual sleep behaviors or activities you do not remember the day after taking this medication. Activities include driving, making or eating food, talking on the phone, sexual activity, or sleep walking. Stop taking this medication and call your care team right away if you find out you have done activities like this.
If you or your family notice any changes in your behavior, such as new or worsening depression, thoughts of harming yourself, anxiety, other unusual or disturbing thoughts, or memory loss, call your care team right away.
After you stop taking this medication, you may have trouble falling asleep. This is called rebound insomnia. This problem usually goes away on its own after 1 or 2 nights.