Dayvigo vs. Restoril
See how Dayvigo and Restoril compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Dayvigo is a newer orexin receptor blocker approved for regular nightly use, while Restoril is an older benzodiazepine meant only for short-term insomnia treatment.
Restoril carries boxed warnings for abuse, addiction, overdose, and dangerous interactions with opioids that Dayvigo does not carry.
Both are Schedule IV controlled substances that can cause next-day drowsiness and impaired driving, so caution is needed with either drug.
Dayvigo vs. Restoril Drug Summary
Dayvigo
Dayvigo (lemborexant) is a dual orexin receptor antagonist approved to treat insomnia in adults who have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or both. It comes as a single 5 mg or 10 mg tablet taken about 30 minutes before bed. Instead of boosting GABA activity like older sleep drugs, it blocks wake-promoting orexin signals in the brain.
Restoril
Restoril (temazepam) is a benzodiazepine hypnotic approved only for short-term treatment of insomnia, typically no more than 7 to 10 days. It is taken as an oral capsule at bedtime, with doses ranging from 7.5 mg up to 30 mg depending on response and age. It works by enhancing GABA activity in the brain to produce sedation.
Dayvigo vs. Restoril Side Effects
Dayvigo
Restoril
Dayvigo vs. Restoril Dosage
Dayvigo
Restoril
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 5 mg once nightly | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 10 mg once nightly | If needed |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | As tolerated |
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 7.5 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 30 mg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 3 increases | As tolerated |
Dayvigo
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 5 mg once nightly | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 10 mg once nightly | If needed |
| Dose changes | 1 increase | As tolerated |
Restoril
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 7.5 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 30 mg once daily | If needed |
| Dose changes | 3 increases | As tolerated |
Dayvigo vs. Restoril Indications
Dayvigo
Dayvigo is FDA-approved for adults with insomnia, covering both trouble falling asleep and trouble staying asleep. It is meant to be taken nightly on an ongoing basis rather than for just a short stretch of nights. It is not approved for children or for narcolepsy.
Difficulty falling asleep (sleep-onset insomnia)
Difficulty staying asleep (sleep-maintenance insomnia)
Approved for ongoing nightly use in adults
Not approved for pediatric patients or narcolepsy
Restoril
Restoril is FDA-approved only for short-term treatment of insomnia, generally limited to 7 to 10 days of use. It is not intended as a long-term nightly medication and is not approved for anxiety disorders. Longer use raises the risk of dependence and withdrawal.
Short-term insomnia (trouble falling or staying asleep)
Typically prescribed for 7 to 10 nights
Not approved for long-term, routine use
Not approved for anxiety disorders
Dayvigo vs. Restoril Pros and Cons
Dayvigo
Dayvigo is approved for regular nightly use rather than a short course, and 12-month trial data showed it kept working without rebound insomnia after stopping. It carries a lower risk of tolerance and physical dependence than benzodiazepines like Restoril, though it is still a controlled substance. There is no generic version yet, but its list price is still well below Restoril's.
Pros
Approved for regular nightly use, not just short-term courses
Sustained efficacy without rebound insomnia shown in 12-month trial data
Lower risk of tolerance and physical dependence than benzodiazepines
Cons
No generic version currently available
Still a Schedule IV controlled substance with some abuse potential
Risk of complex sleep behaviors such as sleepwalking or sleep-driving
Less long-term real-world use history than an older drug like Restoril
Restoril
Restoril has decades of clinical use and offers several dose strengths for fine-tuning, which can help patients who need a stronger or gentler dose. It carries boxed warnings for abuse, addiction, overdose, and dangerous interactions with opioids that Dayvigo's label does not include. It is also meant for short stretches of use only, not nightly long-term therapy.
Pros
Decades of clinical use with a well-established safety profile
Multiple dose strengths (7.5 mg to 30 mg) allow precise titration
Fast-acting formulation suited for short-term sleep-onset trouble
Cons
Boxed warning for abuse, misuse, and addiction, including overdose risk
Boxed warning for dangerous interaction with opioids
Not recommended for use beyond 7 to 10 days
Roughly $920 to $1,270 per month without insurance, higher than Dayvigo
Common Symptoms and Related Diseases You Can Explore
Explore a range of common symptoms the Doctronic Symptom Checker can help you understand.