NutriStack
Alcohol and Suvorexant, a caution.
Alcohol can add to suvorexant-related sleepiness and impaired alertness. A clinical alcohol coadministration study found additive negative effects on psychomotor performance, balance, memory, and alertness. The risk is most relevant at bedtime, with higher suvorexant doses, or when next-day driving is required.
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
Same shape as the other 1,729 pairs in the public database.
From the interaction database
What the row says.
Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
At a glance
- Substances
- Alcohol and Suvorexant
- Pair type
- Caution
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Moderate
- Source citations
- 2 sources
- Stack Score effect
- −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Prescription
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Caution · Moderate evidence
Caution
What is happening. Alcohol can add to suvorexant-related sleepiness and impaired alertness. A clinical alcohol coadministration study found additive negative effects on psychomotor performance, balance, memory, and alertness. The risk is most relevant at bedtime, with higher suvorexant doses, or when next-day driving is required.
Mechanism. Suvorexant blocks orexin OX1R and OX2R signaling, reducing wake drive. Alcohol depresses CNS arousal and coordination through GABAergic and glutamatergic effects, creating additive impairment without a major pharmacokinetic interaction.
Recommendation. Avoid alcohol when taking suvorexant. Do not take suvorexant after evening drinking, and do not drive the next morning if you feel sleepy or slowed. Use extra caution if you are older or also take other sedating medicines.
Sources (2)
- Sun H, Yee KL, Gill S, Liu W, Li X, Panebianco D, et al. Psychomotor effects, pharmacokinetics and safety of the orexin receptor antagonist suvorexant administered in combination with alcohol in healthy subjects. J Psychopharmacol. 2015;29(11):1159-1169. PMID 26464455
- Rhyne DN, Anderson SL. Suvorexant in insomnia: efficacy, safety and place in therapy. Ther Adv Drug Saf. 2015;6(5):189-195. PMID 26478806
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Alcohol and Suvorexant are in the same stack, this pair applies −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
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