Orzeyful (oveporexton) is a medicine used to treat certain people with narcolepsy, a condition that affects your ability to stay awake and sleep. Like most medicines, Orzeyful may cause side effects and interact with other medicines, supplements, or alcohol.
Keep reading to learn about possible Orzeyful side effects, how to manage them, and which medicines may interact with Orzeyful.
This article does not include all possible side effects or interactions. Tell your health care provider about any symptoms that concern you or do not improve.
Orzeyful Side Effects
Common side effects
The most common side effects of Orzeyful may include:
- Trouble sleeping
- Frequent or urgent need to pee
- Making too much saliva
Serious side effects
While less common, potentially serious side effects of Orzeyful include:
- Severe allergic reactions
- Frequent or urgent need to pee
- Muscle problems
- Risk of misuse and addiction
If you have symptoms that feel serious or life-threatening, seek medical care right away.
How to Manage Orzeyful Side Effects
Below is a closer look at five important side effects and risks of taking Orzeyful, along with tips for managing them.
1. Trouble sleeping
Orzeyful can cause insomnia, which may include trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. In studies, insomnia was reported by 55%-60% of people taking Orzeyful, compared with 1% of people taking placebo.
Most cases started within the first two days of starting treatment. About 63% went away within a week after they started, but some lasted longer. Severe insomnia was uncommon, and no one had to quit taking Orzeyful due to trouble sleeping.
The following tips can help you sleep better:
- Regular physical activity may help improve sleep, but try to avoid exercising within about two hours of bedtime.
- Keep a regular sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at about the same times each day, even on weekends.
- Watch what you eat and drink later in the day. Avoid large meals close to bedtime, limit caffeine after mid-afternoon, and avoid alcohol in the evening.
- Make your bedroom sleep-friendly. Keep the room dark, quiet, and comfortable, and limit screen time before bed.
- Wind down before bedtime. Try a relaxing activity, such as reading a book, listening to calming music, or taking a bath.
If you have trouble sleeping that lasts longer than seven days and interferes with your usual daytime activities or quality of life, contact your health care provider. They may lower your Orzeyful dose or suggest other treatment options. But don’t adjust the dose or stop taking it on your own.
2. Frequent or urgent need to pee
Orzeyful can make you need to pee more often or cause a sudden, strong urge to pee. In studies, frequent urination occurred in 53%-58% of people taking Orzeyful, compared with 5% of those taking placebo. Urinary urgency occurred in 15%-16% of people taking Orzeyful, compared with 1% taking placebo.
To help manage this side effect:
- Limit drinks that may irritate the bladder, such as caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated drinks. These can sometimes worsen urinary frequency or urgency.
- Avoid drinking a lot of fluids right before bed. This may result in fewer nighttime trips to the bathroom.
- Drink enough fluids during the day. Cutting back too much can make urine more concentrated and may irritate the bladder.
Orzeyful may also worsen existing bladder problems. Tell your health care provider before starting Orzeyful if you have an overactive bladder or other problems with frequent or urgent urination. Contact them if these symptoms worsen during treatment.
3. Making too much saliva
Orzeyful may cause your mouth to make more saliva (spit) than usual, also known as salivary hypersecretion. This happened in about 7%-8% of people taking Orzeyful in studies and was not reported in the placebo group.
Spicy, sour, and acidic foods can also cause your mouth to make extra saliva. If excess saliva is bothersome, try limiting these foods and pay attention to whether certain foods make the problem worse. Tell your health care provider if excess saliva does not improve.
4. Muscle problems
Orzeyful may raise the blood levels of creatine phosphokinase (CPK), which is an enzyme that can rise when muscles are injured or stressed. This change may be seen on a blood test and does not always cause symptoms.
Contact your health care provider if you have unexplained muscle pain or weakness or notice dark-colored urine, especially if you do intense exercise or take other medicines that can affect the muscles. If your CPK levels are high, your health care provider may tell you to stop taking Orzeyful.
5. Misuse
Orzeyful may carry risks for misuse and abuse, which can lead to substance use disorder, also called addiction. Tell your health care provider if you have a history of substance use disorder or stimulant misuse before starting Orzeyful.
Orzeyful Interactions
Orzeyful can interact with some medicines and supplements. An interaction happens when another substance changes how a medicine works or affects your body.
Some interactions can increase the amount of Orzeyful in your body, which may raise your risk of side effects. Others can lower Orzeyful levels and make the medicine work less well.
This is not a complete list of Orzeyful interactions. Tell your health care provider and pharmacist about all prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, herbal products, and other supplements you take.
Some interactions can increase the risk of side effects
Your liver mainly uses an enzyme called CYP3A4 to break down Orzeyful. Some medicines slow this process, causing Orzeyful levels to rise and adding to the risk of side effects.
Examples include certain:
- Antifungal medicines, such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, and fluconazole
- Antibiotics, such as erythromycin
- Heart or blood pressure medicines, such as diltiazem and verapamil
Because of this risk, some medicines that are strong blockers (inhibitors) of CYP3A4 should not be taken with Orzeyful. Other medicines that have a more moderate effect may require your health care provider to lower your Orzeyful dose.
Some interactions can make Orzeyful less effective
Other medicines and supplements can speed up the breakdown of Orzeyful in your body. They do so by making CYP3A4 more active than usual. This can lower Orzeyful levels and may make it not work as well for treating narcolepsy.
Examples include:
- Certain seizure medicines, such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, and primidone
- Rifampin, an antibiotic used to treat certain infections
- St. John’s wort, an herbal supplement that some people take for mood support
Some medicines strongly block CYP3A4 and should not be taken with Orzeyful. Other medicines may have a more moderate effect and may require your health care provider to lower your Orzeyful dose. Your health care team can check your list of medicines or supplements for interactions and let you know if any changes are needed. Do not stop or change any of your medicines without first checking with your health care provider.
FAQs: Orzeyful interactions
Does Orzeyful interact with alcohol?
It is not known whether alcohol directly interacts with Orzeyful. However, alcohol can affect sleep, which may be especially important for people being treated for narcolepsy. Ask your health care provider whether alcohol is safe for you.
Does Orzeyful interact with food?
Orzeyful can be taken with or without food. However, ask your health care provider whether you should avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Grapefruit may increase the amount of Orzeyful in your body, raising your risk of side effects.
Reducing Your Risk of Side Effects and Interactions
To help lower your risk of side effects and interactions, take Orzeyful exactly as prescribed and follow instructions from your health care provider.
- Tell your health care provider and pharmacist about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and other supplements you use.
- Consult your health care provider before starting or stopping any medicine, vitamin, or supplement.
- Keep all follow-up appointments and recommended lab tests.
- Report new or worsening symptoms to your health care provider.
Your health care provider can review your treatment plan and make changes if needed to help you use Orzeyful safely.
