Lemborexant and Sleep Paralysis: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 23, 2020

For Insomnia "Two years into trying script after script, all had side effects and reactions to other meds. Dayvigo has been by far the worst. Extreme nightmares and even worse, sleep paralysis. ABSOLUTELY HORRIFIC, THE MOST TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE IN MY LIFE! Never again! I'm done with this stuff, I'd rather have three hours of restless sleep than this mind-tripping."

• Squ...
• July 11, 2021

For Insomnia "Had my first experience of sleep paralysis with this medication last night. It was the most horrible experience. In one night, I had 3-4 episodes of sleep paralysis. There was a time, too, when I felt like I couldn’t breathe, but at the same time, I couldn’t move. Never again. Although it did help me fall asleep. 10 mg, what it does is it makes your eyelids so heavy that you’re not able to keep them open, thereby forcing you to fall asleep."

• Joh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 6, 2021

For Insomnia "A terrifying experience. Only tried it one time, but it was enough for me. Weird nightmares started after about 2 hours of taking it. Then, I started experiencing several sleep paralysis episodes with high heart rate and shortness of breath sensations. It was just like a horror movie being played in my head. I am a 35-year-old male. Under amitriptyline and zopiclone as treatment for insomnia. Sleep issues started about a year ago during the pandemic."

• Inc...
• August 5, 2021

For Insomnia "I have had insomnia my entire life and have been on Ambien since 2004. It works, but it's a wicked drug, and I tell everyone not to ever take it. My doctor gave me the ten-tablet, day 5 mg freebie pack today, and I took one. Well, holy moly... I had the sleep paralysis big time. Tried to call my son in the other room, but could not get a sound out no matter how many times I tried. Then either I imagined it or it happened, but I crawled to the bedroom door and tried to open it. That's my last memory, which may or may not have happened. I woke up in bed later, but feeling my breathing getting shallower and shallower - and all the while, I'm trying to convince myself that this too shall pass. Well, I got up roughly five hours later, and my butt hurts - so I'm not sure if I fell off the bed. I guess if I have a bruise in a day or two, I'll get the definitive answer. I was so hoping this would be a Godsend... instead, God sent me on a trip to Disney-nightmare land, and the rides there are NOT fun in the least."

• Cho...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2022

For Insomnia "Had I read all the negative reviews prior to trying Dayvigo, I probably would've never tried it. Fortunately for me, the medication worked exactly as needed. I have chronic insomnia, where I fall asleep fairly easily, but then wake up every hour or so for at least an hour at a time, leading to 3 to 4 hours a night tops. I've tried Xanax, Ambien, and Seroquel, and those first two, although they worked, are now being linked to dementia and Alzheimer's, which I have no desire to develop. Seroquel also worked, but kept me tired all day. Dayvigo 5 mg has thus far (3 weeks) worked like a champ. I sleep through the night every night and fall asleep within 15 minutes of taking it. I have noticed a few vivid dreams, which I've found an added benefit, if anything. No sleep paralysis or other negative side effects. Because it's new, it is very costly, but I'll pay anything for a peaceful night's sleep."

• Bir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2021

For Insomnia "The first few days this gave me sleep paralysis, where I would feel like I couldn't breathe, and I would just wake up in a panic after trying to fight the sleep paralysis. Then, after that, it stopped with the sleep paralysis problem, but it stopped making me tired and instead just made it really hard for me to fall and stay asleep. Sleeping pills work differently for everyone, though, so just because I had a bad experience doesn't mean it won't work wonders for someone else."

• 88w...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 26, 2022

For Insomnia "I've been on and off Dayvigo (the 5 mg dose) for the last 4 months. On for up to a couple of weeks at a time, then off because I need a break from the side effects -- I'm cognitively impaired the next day... not sleepy, just can't concentrate at all, sometimes can't even read. I'm glad to have it on hand to take when needed, because Dayvigo does actually put me to sleep in 30 minutes to an hour BUT the sleep is quite fragmented, and I wake up a lot. Vivid dreams, but nothing problematic and no sleep paralysis. It definitely works best if you take it on an empty stomach. Not addictive like the benzos or Ambien, so worth trying if you're looking for an alternative to those (which I was). If you're coming off from a long time on one of those, you're not getting the true effects of Dayvigo on its own and might be experiencing Ambien withdrawal instead -- wait for it, Ambien (or whatever) to get out of your system before determining if this works. It still might not, but..."

• Hyl...
• March 24, 2022

For Insomnia "I am a 55-year-old man. I have suffered from insomnia for over 20 years. I have tried numerous prescribed and over-the-counter medications with no negative side effects. Dayvigo is terrible. One dose caused me sleep paralysis and night terrors. Save yourself. Flush this garbage down the toilet."

• Can...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2023

For Insomnia "Did not experience sleepiness whatsoever. 5 mg caused hyper-awakeness and migraine headaches. After 9 hours awake, finally fell asleep to extreme nightmares, sleep paralysis, then hallucinations and repeated screaming. Disturbing results from such a small dose. The drug was extremely expensive. I'll return to Zopiclone."

• Fre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2021

For Insomnia "I tried it for a week. The first night I took it around 9:30 pm with good sleep practices. I didn’t sleep at all that night. The next night I tried again and didn’t sleep at all. After that, I was tired and had really bad headaches and felt groggy and confused during the day. These were different from what I get after a regular bad sleep. Days 4, 5, and 6 I started getting very intense bad dreams, sleep paralysis, and my daytime depression got worse. The side effects actually started really affecting me, I’m so glad I’m off it now. Biggest dud I’ve ever tried."

• sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 1, 2023

For Insomnia "This 'sleeping aid' gave me sleep paralysis for 6 hours. I experienced extreme discomfort between the sensation of physically wanting to pass out uncontrollably and a superconscious mind that was NOT sleepy at all. Then, the horror began. I was stuck in lucid nightmares, only to 'wake up' in dream after dream, like a loop from the underworld that I could not get out of. The worst part was, I couldn't move. Despite my original intention of taking the sleep aid to get some decent rest, I feel the absolute worst that I have EVER been this morning. Take with CAUTION. I took one 5 mg oral tablet."

• Atw...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 17, 2023

For Insomnia "Been on Dayvigo for 4 years. Tried every other sleep medication, just like everyone else, and this was the one for me. I will say there is a major side effect mentioned a few times, and that’s the sleep paralysis/nightmares. I had those more frequently when I first started, and then as I got used to the drug, I actually lowered from 10 mg to 5 mg - that was a big difference maker for me, and most side effects are gone - maybe once a month or two I’ll get a sleep paralysis event, but other than that Dayvigo makes me feel/act like a normal sleeper. Take the pill at 10:30, asleep around 11, and ready to wake up around 6 feeling well rested! The sleep paralysis sucks. But Ambien made me forget literally everything that happened on a day-to-day basis, and Lunesta ruined the taste of everything for me, leaving a metallic taste constantly in my mouth. Any other drug I didn’t mention had zero impact on my ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Insurance covered it for 4 years."

• Pri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2022

For Insomnia "Please do not take this dangerous medication! I took one 5 mg pill a few hours ago and had horrendous nightmares and extremely frightening sleep paralysis for 3 hours. I almost suffocated when I turned my face halfway into the pillow and was unable to move due to sudden sleep paralysis. I have chronic insomnia, and the doctor gave me a sample pack of this med today, and I now am afraid to go back to sleep tonight in case this horrible med isn't out of my system yet, so doubt I'll get any sleep at all tonight after this wretched experience. I came across these reviews after I had taken it; had I found them beforehand, I'd never have tried it and hope no one else does either. I'm convinced the positive reviews were written by the manufacturer. I'm going back to the herbal supplements I've been taking and would rather just get 3 or 4 hours of sleep a night at this point than ever risk any sleep medication a doctor hands out in a free packet again, or prescribes for that matter."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 26, 2021

For Insomnia "This is the first medication that actually did what it says without making you feel bad the next day. Even though I only get a few hours of sleep, that little bit makes me feel like a new person. I highly recommend really reading the info that comes with it. I was a little afraid of the “sleep paralysis,” but I learned I could pull myself out of it if I wanted to. Also, the medication works better or stronger on an empty stomach. So, now that I have learned the ins and outs of taking it, I get comfy and just enjoy it because I know I will go to sleep. So far, no nightmares, and I hope I don’t start that. I am on 5 mg. It makes me feel awesome when I wake up. I was able to find an online coupon that makes it only $30 a month."

• D-M...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2022

For Insomnia "I have suffered from chronic insomnia for over 20 years. I have been on almost every prescription available. However, Ambien and Restoril have been the only medications that have worked. Unfortunately, after years of being on either medication, the dosage had to increase to the point I would have to try something else. I was given a sample of Dayvigo 5 mg. I took it as prescribed, and it took over an hour before I started to feel it taking effect, which was immediate sleep paralysis. It felt like I was being physically restrained. I struggled to fight it, to scream for help, to move my body, and couldn't. It was the worst, most horrific night I have ever had. I have had Ambien-induced hallucinations, but those were never as terrifying as what I experienced on Dayvigo. And to top it off, the next day after Dayvigo, I felt like a zombie, unable to do anything for myself. My blood pressure has always been low, after taking Dayvigo, it felt like my heart was barely beating."

• Shi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2021

For Insomnia "I have taken Dayvigo for a month. 10 mg to start. I have horrible nightmares most nights when falling asleep. Sometimes sleep paralysis when falling asleep. But aside from that, once I get to sleep, I only wake up to use the bathroom. I get a full night's sleep and wake up clear-headed. I will decide this week if I will continue this drug. Many of the vivid dreams are about sex. The nightmares are all over the place. The jury is still out after almost a month on this drug."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 2, 2024

For Insomnia "I took Dayvigo the first night, and it did nothing for me. Then the second night, I took it, and I had sleep paralysis! I will NOT ever take this again! After the sleep paralysis went away, I slept good but felt hungover the next day!"

• Day...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 11, 2022

For Insomnia "I do not recommend this sleeping pill to anyone! I thought I was going crazy for 3 weeks, always the same nightmares and sleep paralysis! I couldn’t speak and couldn’t move, it was the scariest night of my life. I would rather sleep 3 to 4 hours per night than go through sleep paralysis and will take Ativan to catch up every once in a while. People, stay away from Dayvigo!"

• Dec...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 6, 2021

For Insomnia "Good and bad with this drug. I suffer from anxiety that doesn't let me sleep when I'm under a lot of stress. I'm on 5 mg. It works very well when I'm sleep-deprived for days, but as everyday use, not so much. I get sleep paralysis a handful of times with it. That is very scary, I don't know if I'm awake or asleep in my dream, but I'm asleep. I also get problems with my GI tract on the days I take it, but overall find it works well."

• MSR...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 18, 2023

For Insomnia "Have been taking it for over a year, and it works like a dream. Fall asleep fast and not groggy the next day. I did, however, experience the sleep paralysis side effect at first, and it was WEIRD. I felt like I was simultaneously falling and being shaken by something. When I snapped out of it, I saw my clock had only changed by 11 minutes, and it felt much longer than that. The first time shook me up a bit, and then it happened intermittently but hasn’t now for a while. My psychiatrist recommended this for my sleep issues as I have a history of substance abuse (but I’m sober for 10 years), so Ambien is not appropriate for me. This has helped me so much. I didn’t write a review before, but wanted to balance out the negative ones. It was a bit of a fight to get insurance to cover it, and it was a problem when my insurance changed, but I used a coupon from their website while we worked it out. I think it was around $35 per month. For reference, I am a 43-year-old female."

• Ana...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 7, 2023

For Insomnia "After 30 minutes of taking Dayvigo for the first time, I couldn't keep my eyelids open and then experienced sleep paralysis for a few seconds. I couldn't move and felt like I couldn't breathe. I was terrified. I finally managed to get up and went to eat something to try and soak up the drug. I went back to bed and didn't sleep at all. Horrible experience. I will be notifying my doctor. I guess it affects different people in different ways."

• Lun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2021

For Insomnia "I honestly am kind of jealous of the people who this drug worked for. I have not had restful sleep my whole life, although this specific period of my life has been the hardest with sleep deprivation. Once I fall asleep after around an hour, I wake up every 20 to 30 minutes. My doctor put me on 10 mg right away, he knows I have sleep paralysis all the time and PTSD nightmares that are terrifying. So I don't know why he thought I would benefit from a drug that gives you extended time periods, being trapped inside your body, not able to speak or scream or wake up! This is a scary one of those pharmaceuticals. It reminds me of how I felt when I was drugged with ketamine... yikes! Anyone with similar experiences found any other drugs that have been helpful? Sweet dreams, zombies, LOL."

• App...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2022

For Insomnia "I have insomnia post-COVID infection. Been on 12.5 mg Ambien and 0.5 mg clonazepam for 2 months and started to build tolerance. My doctor suggested Dayvigo, saying no side effects and will not build tolerance. I was given hope. Yet, I read so many bad reviews and was reluctant to take it. I asked my husband to help monitor my sleep yesterday and took 0.5 mg of Dayvigo around 11 pm. Felt no effect and couldn't sleep until 1 to 2 am. I started to feel sleep paralysis and there were vivid dreams when I was trying to wake my husband up, and I heard a baby crying where there's no baby in the house. I knew it was a dream, so I composed myself and was finally able to move. I also had sharp joint pain in my left leg throughout the night. My GI issue also flared up, not sure if it's the effect of the med. It gave me zero restful sleep, worse than Ambien, which gave me 4 to 5 hours. This med is not for me, sadly, and I will not recommend it to anybody. Hope a better alternative works better."

• Sas...
• March 2, 2021

For Insomnia "This medicine was horrible to me. Not only did it not make me sleep, but it made me anxious, I had “brain zaps,” and then had sleep paralysis. It’s an awful drug as far as I’m concerned. And it costs $650 a month. Why? To be tortured? Nope."

• Nek...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2021

For Insomnia "I took Dayvigo for the first time last night and ended up with 30 first responders in my house talking about I was in a coma. I heard everything they said. But my brain was awake, but my body wasn’t. It scared my kids to death. I was able to get out 2 words before the cavalry arrived. I told my son, “SHAKE ME.” He did, and it started slowly bringing me back. But that was a process. I hate sleep paralysis!!! More than insomnia. In all fairness, I was watching a suspenseful movie that ended up being horror. Bad decision. It was changed from Ambien, which caused sleepwalking. I drove 10 miles to get Chinese food and ate it all with my eyes closed and my daughter operating the steering wheel. She recorded me and thought it was funny till I explained all the people I could’ve killed, including her and me. So Dayvigo needs more research. I won’t count it out because I fell asleep instantly and stayed asleep. But the side effects might be too much."