The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given its approval to Belsomra (suvorexant), a new prescription medication designed specifically for those suffering from insomnia.

The FDA says the drug has been approved as a treatment for people suffering from insomnia. Belsomra is said to be the "first of its kind."

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The drug is a type of orexin receptor antagonist that alters the action or the signals sent by orexin in the brain. Orexin is a chemical involved in the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle that plays a huge role in the process that keeps a person awake.

"To assist health care professionals and patients in finding the best dose to treat each individual patient's sleeplessness, the FDA has approved Belsomra in four different strengths -- 5, 10, 15 and 20 milligrams [mg]," said Dr. Ellis Unger, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Office of Drug Evaluation I.

He said the drug's side effects can be controlled as long as its "lowest effective" dosage is taken. A notable side effect is drowsiness in the morning.

The drug should only be taken once a night. Those who take should do it 30 minutes before they head to bed.

Further instructions such as taking the drug 7 hours before the "planned time of waking" have been detailed by the FDA, which also said consumers should not take more than 20 mg of the drug in a single day.

TagsInsomnia, Insomnia Treatment, Insomnia Medicine, Insomnia Cure, Insomnia FDA Approved Drug, Insomnia New Drug