Suvorexant is a selective, dual orexin receptor antagonist made by Merck & Co. It was approved for sale by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration(FDA) on August 13, 2014.^[3] The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has placed it on the list of schedule IV controlled substances,^[4] as it may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to the drugs or other substances in schedule III. The potential for psychological dependence is similar to that of zolpidem.^[5] The drug became available in Japan in November 2014^[6] and in the United States in February 2015.^[7]

Suvorexant is used for the treatment of insomnia, characterized by difficulties with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance.^[8]

It is unclear how this medication compares to others used for insomnia as no comparisons have been done.^[2] It is also unclear if this medication is safe among people with a history of addiction, as they were excluded from the clinical trials of suvorexant.^[2]