Research has shown that Belsomra is more effective than a placebo (an inactive tablet) for improving sleep onset (the time it takes to fall asleep) and how long people stay asleep. Results were based on both the person in the study’s subjective experience and a polysomnography (sleep study) result.
On average, people fell asleep up to 10 minutes quicker than they did with a placebo tablet, and stayed asleep for up to 31 minutes longer.
But people taking Belsomra were more likely to feel drowsy the next day compared with those who took a placebo, and some study participants were involved in driving accidents or got traffic tickets.