Location IconGPS icon
QUICK BUY! Get 25% off on medicines*
Ramelteon
INFORMATION ABOUT RAMELTEON
Ramelteon Uses
Ramelteon is used in insomnia, jet lag and depression.
How Ramelteon works
Ramelteon is a melatonin receptor agonist. Ramelteon works like melatonin, a chemical messenger in the brain that helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle.
Common side effects of Ramelteon
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common
Dizziness, Sleepiness, Fatigue, Nausea, Headache, Worsening of insomnia
CONTENT DETAILS
Written By
Dr. Swati Mishra
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Rajeev Sharma
MBA, MBBS
Last updated
03 Dec 2024 | 05:07 AM (UTC)
We provide you with authentic, trustworthy and revelant information
Read our editorial policy
Expert advice for Ramelteon
  • You have been prescribed Ramelteon to treat difficulty in falling asleep.
  • Take it without food at least 30 minutes before you sleep. 
  • It may cause increased sleepiness. Do not drive or do anything requiring mental focus until you know how it affects you.
  • Avoid taking alcohol while taking this medicine as that may increase the side effects of this medicine.
  • Consult with a doctor if your sleep doesn’t improve after 7 to 10 days of treatment.
  • Inform your doctor if you notice behavioral changes or new or worsening depression while taking this medicine.
  • Stop taking medication and inform your doctor If you experience sleep-driving or memory loss. 
Frequently asked questions for Ramelteon
Ramelteon decreases testosterone levels and increases prolactin levels. This change may affect your fertility or desire for sexual activity. Consult your doctor if you experience changes in your period, libido, or problems with fertility.
No, Ramelteon does not produce any withdrawal symptoms. Hence, there appears to be no physical dependence. It also does not have any abuse potential.
There are several natural ways of treating insomnia. These may include avoiding caffeine and nicotine, especially late in the day. While daily exercise is beneficial to sleep, avoid exercising four hours before bedtime. Avoiding large meals in the evening and avoiding taking naps can also help treat insomnia. You can try going to sleep and waking up at the same times each day. Try to maintain a comfortable temperature of your bedroom and make the bedroom as dark as possible. Setting aside a time to relax before bed and using relaxation techniques can also prove effective.
Ramelteon can efficiently help people who have trouble falling asleep. It is not a habit-forming medicine. Therefore, if you are concerned of becoming dependent on sleep medication, Ramelteon might be right for you.
No, Ramelteon is not a benzodiazepine. It acts on melatonin receptor to regulate a person’s sleeping pattern. Melatonin is involved in maintaining the body’s internal biological clock, underlying the normal sleep-wake cycle.
It is recommended that you take Ramelteon 30 minutes before you go to bed. Since Ramelteon acts quickly, it may induce sleep quickly. Therefore, you should avoid any hazardous activities, such as driving or operating heavy machinery, until you know how you will react to Ramelteon.
Ramelteon should not be taken with or immediately after a high-fat meal since it can affect the levels of medicine in the body. Alcohol should not be used with Ramelteon as it increases the chances of abnormal thinking and behavioral changes.
Before starting Ramelteon you should tell your doctor if you have a history of depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts. Also, inform your doctor if you have liver disease, lung disease or breathing problems. You must tell your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant. In case you are breastfeeding, let your doctor know because Ramelteon may cause drowsiness in a breastfed infant. You may consider interrupting breastfeeding and pumping and discarding breastmilk during treatment and for 25 hours after administration of Ramelteon.