Orexin antagonist

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An orexin receptor antagonist, or orexin antagonist, is a drug that inhibits the effect of orexin by acting as a receptor antagonist of one (selective orexin receptor antagonist or SORA) or both (dual orexin receptor antagonist or DORA) of the orexin receptors, OX1 and OX2. [1] Medical applications include treatment of sleep disorders such as insomnia. [2] [3]

Contents

Examples

Marketed

Under development

Not marketed

Medical uses

Insomnia

Orexin receptor antagonists dose-dependently improve sleep parameters including latency to persistent sleep (LPS), wake after sleep onset (WASO), sleep efficiency (SE), total sleep time (TST), and sleep quality (SQ). [22] [23] [24] [25] [26]

Orexin receptor antagonists are not currently used as first-line treatments for insomnia due to cost and concerns about possible misuse liability. [27]

Delirium

Suvorexant appears to be effective in the prevention of delirium. [9] [10]

Side effects

Side effects of orexin receptor antagonists include somnolence, daytime sleepiness and sedation, headache, abnormal dreams, fatigue, and dry mouth. [22] [23] [24] [26] [25]

Rates of somnolence or fatigue with orexin receptor antagonists in clinical trials were 7% (vs. 3% with placebo) for suvorexant 15 to 20 mg, [28] 7 to 10% (vs. 1.3% for placebo) for lemborexant 5 to 10 mg, [29] and 5 to 6% (vs. 4% with placebo) for daridorexant 25 to 50 mg. [30]

Contraindications

Narcolepsy, a neurological disorder caused by orexin deficiency, is a contraindication to the use of orexin antagonists. [31]

Pharmacology

Pharmacokinetics

The elimination half-lives of clinically used orexin receptor antagonists are 12 hours for suvorexant, about 17 to 19 hours ("effective" half-life) or 55 hours (terminal elimination half-life) for lemborexant, and 6 to 10 hours for daridorexant. [8] The elimination half-lives of investigational orexin receptor antagonists are 2 to 3 hours for seltorexant and about 1.5 to 3 hours for vornorexant. [8] [32]

The pharmacokinetics of suvorexant are significantly affected by age, sex, and other factors, leading to increased blood concentrations in female, obese, and older patients. [7] These factors do not significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of lemborexant [7] or daridorexant. [33]

All three marketed orexin antagonists do not need to be dose adjusted in patients with reduced renal function, as the pharmacokinetic profiles of these medications are not significantly affected. [34] [33] [35] In patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment, dose adjustments of these medications may be necessary. [36]

Research

Filorexant was studied for but was not found to be effective in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy, migraine, and major depressive disorder in phase 2 clinical trials. [37] [38] [39] Seltorexant is under development for treatment of major depressive disorder however and is in phase 3 trials for this indication. [40] Also, suvorexant is in a phase 4 trial for use as an adjunct to antidepressant therapy in people with major depressive disorder and residual insomnia. [40] [41] [42]

References

  1. ↑ Mogavero MP, Silvani A, Lanza G, DelRosso LM, Ferini-Strambi L, Ferri R (2023-01-22). "Targeting Orexin Receptors for the Treatment of Insomnia: From Physiological Mechanisms to Current Clinical Evidence and Recommendations". Nature and Science of Sleep (Review). 15: 17–38. doi: 10.2147/NSS.S201994 . PMC   9879039 . PMID   36713640.
  2. ↑ Roecker AJ, Coleman PJ (2008). "Orexin receptor antagonists: medicinal chemistry and therapeutic potential". Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry. 8 (11): 977–987. doi:10.2174/156802608784936746. PMID   18673167.
  3. ↑ Cao M, Guilleminault C (April 2011). "Hypocretin and its emerging role as a target for treatment of sleep disorders". Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports. 11 (2): 227–234. doi:10.1007/s11910-010-0172-9. PMID   21170610. S2CID   42562238.
  4. 1 2 3 Preskorn SH (January 2023). "Comparative Pharmacology of the 3 Marketed Dual Orexin Antagonists-Daridorexant, Lemborexant, and Suvorexant-Part 2. Principal Drug Metabolizing Enzyme, Drug-Drug Interactions, and Effects of Liver and Renal Impairment on Metabolism". Journal of Psychiatric Practice. 29 (1): 38–41. doi:10.1097/PRA.0000000000000690. PMID   36649550. S2CID   255944492.
  5. ↑ "Daridorexant - Idorsia Pharmaceuticals". AdisInsight. Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
  6. ↑ Ziemichód W, Grabowska K, Kurowska A, Biała G (September 2022). "A Comprehensive Review of Daridorexant, a Dual-Orexin Receptor Antagonist as New Approach for the Treatment of Insomnia". Molecules. 27 (18): 6041. doi: 10.3390/molecules27186041 . PMC   9502995 . PMID   36144776.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Keks NA, Hope J (August 2022). "Lemborexant, an orexin receptor antagonist sedative-hypnotic: Is it useful for insomnia in psychiatric disorders?". Australasian Psychiatry. 30 (4): 530–532. doi:10.1177/10398562221092310. PMID   35491942. S2CID   248494625.
  8. 1 2 3 Muehlan C, Vaillant C, Zenklusen I, Kraehenbuehl S, Dingemanse J (November 2020). "Clinical pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of orexin receptor antagonists for the treatment of insomnia disorders". Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology. 16 (11): 1063–1078. doi:10.1080/17425255.2020.1817380. PMID   32901578. S2CID   221572078.
  9. 1 2 Xu S, Cui Y, Shen J, Wang P (July 2020). "Suvorexant for the prevention of delirium: A meta-analysis". Medicine. 99 (30) e21043. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000021043. PMC   7386982 . PMID   32791676.
  10. 1 2 Tian Y, Qin Z, Han Y (March 2022). "Suvorexant with or without ramelteon to prevent delirium: a systematic review and meta-analysis". Psychogeriatrics. 22 (2): 259–268. doi:10.1111/psyg.12792. PMID   34881812. S2CID   245076331.
  11. ↑ Sutton EL (2015-11-11). "Profile of suvorexant in the management of insomnia". Drug Design, Development and Therapy. 9: 6035–6042. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S73224 . PMC   4651361 . PMID   26648692.
  12. ↑ "YZJ 1139". AdisInsight. 14 September 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  13. ↑ Ni J, Jin L, Zhao D, Zhang W, Li B, Huang X, et al. (19 June 2025). "Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamic, Safety and Tolerability of Fazamorexant, a Novel Dual Orexin Receptor Antagonist: Report of the First-in-Human Study". Drug Design, Development and Therapy. 19: 5271–5282. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S501111 .
  14. ↑ "Nivasorexant - Idorsia Pharmaceuticals". AdisInsight. 5 November 2023. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
  15. ↑ "Seltorexant - Janssen Research & Development/Minerva Neurosciences". AdisInsight. Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
  16. ↑ "JNJ 61393215 - AdisInsight".
  17. ↑ Brooks S, Zuiker R, Bleys C, Ziagkos D, Moyer J, van Nueten L, et al. (2023). "Pharmacological characterization of the selective orexin-1 receptor antagonist JNJ-61393215 in healthy volunteers". Journal of Psychopharmacology. 37 (6): 577–589. doi: 10.1177/02698811231167989 . hdl: 1887/3720682 . ISSN   0269-8811 . Retrieved 27 July 2025.
  18. ↑ "Vornorexant - Taisho Pharmaceutical". AdisInsight. Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
  19. ↑ "Almorexant". AdisInsight. Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
  20. ↑ "Filorexant". AdisInsight. Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
  21. ↑ Rodgers RJ, Halford JC, Nunes de Souza RL, Canto de Souza AL, Piper DC, Arch JR, et al. (April 2001). "SB-334867, a selective orexin-1 receptor antagonist, enhances behavioural satiety and blocks the hyperphagic effect of orexin-A in rats". The European Journal of Neuroscience. 13 (7): 1444–1452. doi:10.1046/j.0953-816x.2001.01518.x. PMID   11298806. S2CID   24935644.
  22. 1 2 Xue T, Wu X, Chen S, Yang Y, Yan Z, Song Z, et al. (February 2022). "The efficacy and safety of dual orexin receptor antagonists in primary insomnia: A systematic review and network meta-analysis". Sleep Medicine Reviews. 61 101573. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2021.101573. PMID   34902823. S2CID   244689706.
  23. 1 2 Kuriyama A, Tabata H (October 2017). "Suvorexant for the treatment of primary insomnia: A systematic review and meta-analysis". Sleep Medicine Reviews. 35: 1–7. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2016.09.004. PMID   28365447.
  24. 1 2 Kishi T, Matsunaga S, Iwata N (2015). "Suvorexant for Primary Insomnia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials". PLOS ONE. 10 (8) e0136910. Bibcode:2015PLoSO..1036910K. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136910 . PMC   4552781 . PMID   26317363.
  25. 1 2 Kishi T, Nomura I, Matsuda Y, Sakuma K, Okuya M, Ikuta T, et al. (September 2020). "Lemborexant vs suvorexant for insomnia: A systematic review and network meta-analysis". Journal of Psychiatric Research. 128: 68–74. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2020.05.025. PMID   32531478. S2CID   219620600.
  26. 1 2 McElroy H, O'Leary B, Adena M, Campbell R, Monfared AA, Meier G (September 2021). "Comparative efficacy of lemborexant and other insomnia treatments: a network meta-analysis". Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy. 27 (9): 1296–1308. doi: 10.18553/jmcp.2021.21011 . PMC   10394202 . PMID   34121443.
  27. ↑ Wang L, Pan Y, Ye C, Guo L, Luo S, Dai S, et al. (December 2021). "A network meta-analysis of the long- and short-term efficacy of sleep medicines in adults and older adults". Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews. 131: 489–496. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.035 . PMID   34560134. S2CID   237589779.
  28. ↑ "Belsomra- suvorexant tablet, film coated". DailyMed. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  29. ↑ "Dayvigo- lemborexant tablet, film coated". DailyMed. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  30. ↑ "Quviviq (daridorexant) tablets, for oral use, [controlled substance schedule pending]" (PDF). U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  31. ↑ Earl DC, Van Tyle KM (November 2020). "New pharmacologic agents for insomnia and hypersomnia". Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine. 26 (6): 629–633. doi:10.1097/MCP.0000000000000722. PMID   32890017. S2CID   221511561.
  32. ↑ Uchiyama M, Kambe D, Imadera Y, Sunaga H, Hasegawa S, Nogi T, et al. (April 2020). "0146 Efficacy and Safety of Single Dose of TS-142, a Novel and Potent Dual Orexin Receptor Antagonist, in Insomnia Patients". Sleep. 43 (Supplement 1): A58. doi: 10.1093/sleep/zsaa056.144 . eISSN   1550-9109. ISSN   0161-8105.
  33. 1 2 Ziemichód W, Grabowska K, Kurowska A, Biała G (September 2022). "A Comprehensive Review of Daridorexant, a Dual-Orexin Receptor Antagonist as New Approach for the Treatment of Insomnia". Molecules. 27 (18): 6041. doi: 10.3390/molecules27186041 . PMC   9502995 . PMID   36144776.
  34. ↑ Preskorn SH (January 2023). "Comparative Pharmacology of the 3 Marketed Dual Orexin Antagonists-Daridorexant, Lemborexant, and Suvorexant-Part 2. Principal Drug Metabolizing Enzyme, Drug-Drug Interactions, and Effects of Liver and Renal Impairment on Metabolism". Journal of Psychiatric Practice. 29 (1): 38–41. doi:10.1097/PRA.0000000000000690. PMID   36649550. S2CID   255944492.
  35. ↑ Sutton EL (2015-11-11). "Profile of suvorexant in the management of insomnia". Drug Design, Development and Therapy. 9: 6035–6042. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S73224 . PMC   4651361 . PMID   26648692.
  36. ↑ Muehlan C, Vaillant C, Zenklusen I, Kraehenbuehl S, Dingemanse J (November 2020). "Clinical pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of orexin receptor antagonists for the treatment of insomnia disorders". Expert Opinion on Drug Metabolism & Toxicology. 16 (11): 1063–1078. doi:10.1080/17425255.2020.1817380. PMID   32901578. S2CID   221572078.
  37. ↑ Janto K, Prichard JR, Pusalavidyasagar S (August 2018). "An Update on Dual Orexin Receptor Antagonists and Their Potential Role in Insomnia Therapeutics". Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine. 14 (8): 1399–1408. doi:10.5664/jcsm.7282. PMC   6086961 . PMID   30092886.
  38. ↑ Summers CH, Yaeger JD, Staton CD, Arendt DH, Summers TR (March 2020). "Orexin/hypocretin receptor modulation of anxiolytic and antidepressive responses during social stress and decision-making: Potential for therapy". Brain Research. 1731: 146085. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2018.12.036. PMC   6591110 . PMID   30590027.
  39. ↑ Han Y, Yuan K, Zheng Y, Lu L (April 2020). "Orexin Receptor Antagonists as Emerging Treatments for Psychiatric Disorders". Neuroscience Bulletin. 36 (4): 432–448. doi:10.1007/s12264-019-00447-9. PMC   7142186 . PMID   31782044.
  40. 1 2 Jacobson LH, Hoyer D, de Lecea L (May 2022). "Hypocretins (orexins): The ultimate translational neuropeptides". Journal of Internal Medicine. 291 (5): 533–556. doi:10.1111/joim.13406. PMID   35043499. S2CID   248119793.
  41. ↑ Shariq AS, Rosenblat JD, Alageel A, Mansur RB, Rong C, Ho RC, et al. (June 2019). "Evaluating the role of orexins in the pathophysiology and treatment of depression: A comprehensive review". Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry. 92: 1–7. doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2018.12.008. PMID   30576764. S2CID   56482209.
  42. ↑ Clinical trial number NCT02669030 for "A Six Week, Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled, Suvorexant Augmentation Study of Antidepressant Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder With Residual Insomnia" at ClinicalTrials.gov