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Rozerem (Ramelteon) 8mg Information
What is this Drug Used For?
Ramelteon is an oral drug that promotes falling asleep and is used
for treating insomnia. It acts by stimulating receptors for melatonin
in the brain. Melatonin and its receptors control the circadian
rhythm of the body that, in turn, controls the sleep/wake cycle.
Unlike many drugs used for treating insomnia, ramelteon is not
addictive, and it is not a controlled substance. Ramelteon also
does not cause withdrawal symptoms or rebound insomnia when it
is stopped.
How Do I take my Rozerem (Ramelteon)?
The recommended dose of ramelteon is 8 mg taken 30 minutes before
bedtime. Ramelteon should not be taken with or immediately after
a high fat meal because fat increases its absorption from the
intestine.
What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Rozerem (Ramelteon)?
Side effects associated with ramelteon include headache, drowsiness,
fatigue, dizziness, nausea, worsening of insomnia, diarrhea and
depression.
What Precautions should I observe before taking Rozerem (Ramelteon)?
Before taking ramelteon, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you
are allergic to ramelteonor if you are taking fluvoxamine (Luvox),
or any of the ingredients in ramelteon tablets.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription
medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products
you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following:
certain antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole
(Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral); cimetidine (Tagamet); clarithromycin
(Biaxin, in Prevpac); fluoroquinolones including ciprofloxacin
(Cipro, Proquin XR), gemifloxacin (Factive), levofloxacin (Levaquin),
moxifloxacin (Avelox), norfloxacin (Noroxin), ofloxacin (Floxin),
others; HIV protease inhibitors including indinavir (Crixivan),
nelfinavir (Viracept), and ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra); medications
for anxiety, pain or seizures; nefazodone; rifampin (Rifadin, in
Rifamate, in Rifater, Rimactane); sedatives; other sleeping pills;
ticlopidine (Ticlid); and tranquilizers. Your doctor may need to
change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for
side effects. Many other medications may also interact with ramelteon,
so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are
taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
Tell your doctor if you have ever thought about killing yourself
or planned or tried to do so, and if you have or have ever had
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, damage to the lungs
that makes breathing difficult) or other lung disease, sleep apnea
(condition in which you briefly stop breathing many times during
the night) or other breathing problems, depression, mental illness,
or liver disease.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant,
or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking ramelteon,
call your doctor.
Ramelteon may make you drowsy during the daytime so do not drive
a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects
you, also do not drink alcohol during your treatment with ramelteon.
Alcohol can make the side effects of ramelteon worse.
Some people who took ramelteon got out of bed and drove their
cars, prepared and ate food, had sex, made phone calls, or were
involved in other activities while partially asleep. After they
woke up, these people were usually unable to remember what they
had done. Call your doctor right away if you find out that you
have been driving or doing anything else unusual while you were
sleeping.
Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of the following
symptoms: agitation, anxiety, frenzied or abnormally excited mood,
hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist),
nightmares, memory problems, new or worsening depression, thinking
about or trying to kill yourself, and any other changes in your
usual thoughts, mood, or behavior. Be sure that your family knows
which symptoms may be serious so that they can call the doctor
if you are unable to seek treatment on your own.
What Possible Drug Interactions can effect your use of Rozerem
(Ramelteon)?
Use caution while driving or performing other tasks requiring alertness,
coordination, or physical dexterity. Talk to your doctor about
eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while taking this
medication. Fluvoxamine, ketoconazole and fluconazole increase
blood levels of ramelteon, possibly increasing side effects of
ramelteon. Rifampin may decrease blood levels of ramelteon, possibly
reducing the effect of ramelteon. Alcohol increases the sedative
effects ramelteon.
What Are The Possible Symptoms of a Rozerem (Ramelteon) Overdose?
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency
services at 911.
Important Note
The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute
for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist
or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed
to indicate that use of Rozerem (Ramelteon) is safe, appropriate,
or effective for you. Consult a healthcare professional before
using Rozerem (Ramelteon).
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