Lemborexant is a orexin antagonist medication which is used in the treatment of insomnia.
It is a good alternative to Eszopiclone and Zopiclone, because of the low risk of developing tolerance and dependence. Lemborexant was approved for medical use in the United States in December 2019.
It is indicated specifically for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep onset and or maintenance in adults.
The medication is a dual orexin receptor antagonist (DORA). It acts as a selective dual antagonist of the orexin receptors OX1 and OX2.
Lemborexant has a long elimination half-life of 17 to 55 hours and a time to peak of about 1 to 3 hours.
It is NOT a benzodiazepine or Z drug and does not interact with GABA receptors, instead having a distinct mechanism of action.
Compared to benzodiazepines, there is a low risk of developing tolerance and dependence. Memory and attention are not affected the next morning when taking lemborexant.
