What is Dayvigo: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated Sep 23, 2025  •  Published Jan 25, 2023

Dayvigo is a brand-name prescription drug that helps people fall asleep and stay asleep. Doses are taken before bedtime. Its active ingredient, lemborexant, blocks the chemicals in the brain that keep people awake. Though it is more targeted in its effects than other sleeping pills, it can still cause next-day drowsiness and impairment.

Dayvigo overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Dayvigo

Generic Names:

  • Lemborexant

Uses:

  • Treats insomnia

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Dual orexin receptor antagonist

Forms:

  • Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Dayvigo used for?

Dayvigo helps adults with insomnia fall asleep and stay asleep.

What form(s) does Dayvigo come in

  • Tablet 

    • 5 mg

    • 10 mg

What are common Dayvigo doses?

  • 5 mg (10 mg max) taken before bedtime

Common Dayvigo prescriptions

  • DayVigo
    10mg tablet

  • DayVigo
    5mg tablet

How to take Dayvigo

  • Follow all the prescriber’s instructions.

    • Take only one dose each night.

    • Do not exceed the prescribed dose.

    • If the medicine does not seem to be working, contact the prescriber.

  • Please read the Medication Guide that comes with this medicine.

  • Take the prescribed dose at night right before going to bed.

    • Only take the dose if you can sleep for at least seven hours before having to wake up.

    • For the best effect, take the dose on an empty stomach.

  • Swallow the tablet with a drink of water.

  • Store Dayvigo tablets at room temperature.

What to do if you miss a dose of Dayvigo

  • If a dose is missed, you can take the missed dose if you still have at least seven hours to sleep before having to wake up.

    • If you’re unsure, skip the missed dose.

  • Do not take a missed dose the next day.

  • Take the next dose at its regular time before bedtime.

Dayvigo contraindications

  • Dayvigo is not safe for everyone to take. 

  • Do not take Dayvigo tablets if you have been diagnosed with narcolepsy.

Dayvigo warnings

  • Tell other healthcare professionals treating you about Dayvigo.

  • Keep all appointments with the prescriber.

    • Dayvigo refills are usually not automatic. Instead, the prescriber must meet with the patient and write out a new prescription each month.

  • Before starting Dayvigo treatment, tell the prescriber if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you have:

    • Lung or breathing problems

    • Liver problems

    • A history of sudden muscle weakness (cataplexy)

    • A history of daytime sleepiness

    • Any history of depression, suicidal thoughts, or other mental health problems

    • A history of drug or alcohol abuse

  • This medicine may cause daytime drowsiness, decreased alertness, or muscle weakness, especially when you first wake up. 

    • These problems are more likely to happen if you get less than seven hours of sleep.

    • These lingering effects increase the risk of accidents, falls, or injury. Do not drive or do anything else that requires alertness and coordination until these effects wear off.

  • This medicine may cause bizarre sleep behaviors such as sleepwalking, sleep-driving, cooking in your sleep, and similar behaviors. 

    • These behaviors are dangerous and potentially fatal. 

    • If they occur, stop taking Dayvigo and contact the prescriber.

  • Lemborexant can cause sleep paralysis, an inability to move or talk when first waking up. 

  • Lemborexant can worsen depression and bring on suicidal thoughts. 

    • Talk to the prescriber immediately if this occurs.

  • Lemborexant is a federally controlled substance. Giving or selling this drug to anyone else is dangerous and illegal.

  • Keep this medicine securely out of the reach of children.

Dayvigo interactions

  • To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you use, especially:

    • Medications that make you sleepy, including opioids, benzodiazepines, and tricyclic antidepressants

    • Antifungal drugs called azole antifungals

    • Bosentan, carbamazepine, clarithromycin, chlorzoxazone, efavirenz, etravirine, modafinil, verapamil, St. John’s wort

  • Do not drink alcohol if you’re taking Dayvigo at night.

  • Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.

Dayvigo side effects

Serious side effects

Talk to a doctor if you notice any signs or symptoms of a possible serious side effect, including:

  • Doing unusual activities in your sleep, like walking, making food, driving, talking on the phone, or having sex

  • Feeling paralyzed or severely weak when awakening or falling asleep

  • Seeing or hearing things that are not there, vivid and disturbing perceptions

  • Leg weakness that can last for seconds or minutes

  • Worsening depression, thoughts of hurting yourself, sleeplessness, lethargy

  • Gasping or choking while asleep, loud snoring, waking up frequently

  • Trouble breathing, blue lips, fingernails, or skin

  • Excessive daytime sleepiness

  • Allergic reaction: Itching, rash, hives, swelling in your face, mouth, or throat, trouble breathing

Less serious side effects

  • Sleepiness

  • Headache

Sources:

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