~20 spots leftby Apr 2026

Suvorexant for Sleep Disorders in ICU Patients

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
+1 other location
BS
ME
Overseen byMatthias Eikermann, MD, PHD
Age: 18+
Sex: Any
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Phase 4
Recruiting
Sponsor: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Must not be taking: Benzodiazepines, Antidepressants
Disqualifiers: Renal failure, Liver failure, others
Prior Safety Data

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Investigators will evaluate the efficacy of postoperative oral suvorexant treatment on nighttime wakefulness after persistent sleep onset (WASO) among adult cardiac surgical patients recovering in the cardiac intensive care unit (ICU). The study include patients ≥ 60 years old undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), with or without valve surgery (aortic or mitral). Patients will receive either oral suvorexant or placebo for 7 nights starting the night after extubation. The primary hypothesis is that suvorexant compared with placebo decreases WASO, as measured by a specialized electroencephalogram (EEG), the SedLine monitor, during the first night in the cardiac ICU. Investigators will also assess total sleep time (TST), time to sleep onset (TSO), and postoperative delirium and delirium-free days.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, if you are using chronic benzodiazepines or medications for cognitive decline, you may not be eligible to participate.

What data supports the effectiveness of the drug Suvorexant for sleep disorders in ICU patients?

Suvorexant is approved by the FDA for treating insomnia in adults, helping with both falling asleep and staying asleep, and improving the quality of sleep. It works by blocking orexin receptors, which are involved in wakefulness, thus promoting sleep.12345

How is the drug suvorexant unique for treating sleep disorders in ICU patients?

Suvorexant is unique because it works by blocking orexin receptors, which are involved in wakefulness, helping to promote sleep without the deliriogenic effects that other sleep-promoting agents might have. This makes it potentially beneficial for ICU patients who often experience insomnia and delirium.12346

Research Team

BS

Balachundhar Subramaniam, M.D.

Principal Investigator

Beths Israel Deaconess Medical Center

ME

Matthias Eikermann, MD, PHD

Principal Investigator

Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 60 who are recovering from coronary artery bypass graft surgery in the ICU. They must speak English and not have severe obesity, known pregnancy, significant heart or kidney failure, liver failure, coma, delirium at enrollment time, certain cognitive impairments or psychiatric conditions.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 60 years old or older.
I am scheduled for heart bypass or valve surgery and will be in the ICU afterwards.

Exclusion Criteria

Your heart is not pumping blood well before surgery.
You have certain psychiatric or neurological conditions, such as bipolar disorder, chronic use of benzodiazepines, or recent seizures.
English language limitations (Sleep assessment and delirium assessment tools are only validated in English)
See 10 more

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

3 days
Daily assessments

Preoperative Assessment

Participants complete the Richards-Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ) every morning

3 days
Daily assessments

Treatment

Participants receive either suvorexant or placebo for 7 nights starting the night after extubation

7 days
Daily administration

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for postoperative delirium and sleep quality until hospital discharge

Up to 21 days
Daily assessments

Treatment Details

Interventions

  • Placebo oral tablet (Behavioural Intervention)
  • Suvorexant (Orexin Receptor Antagonist)
Trial OverviewThe study tests if suvorexant can improve sleep after surgery by reducing wakefulness during the night. Participants will receive either suvorexant or a placebo for seven nights post-extubation. Sleep quality will be monitored using EEG technology to measure various sleep parameters.
Participant Groups
2Treatment groups
Active Control
Placebo Group
Group I: SuvorexantActive Control1 Intervention
Suvorexant 20 mg will be administered p.o. once a day between 9:00pm and 10:00pm for 7 days starting the night after extubation in the ICU.
Group II: PlaceboPlacebo Group1 Intervention
Placebo will be administered p.o. once a day between 9:00pm and 10:00pm for 7 days starting the night after extubation in the ICU.

Find a Clinic Near You

Research Locations NearbySelect from list below to view details:
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterBoston, MA
Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein college of MedicineBronx, NY
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Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials
872
Patients Recruited
12,930,000+

Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

Industry Sponsor

Trials
4096
Patients Recruited
5,232,000+

Findings from Research

Suvorexant: first global approval.Yang, LP.[2021]
Safety and efficacy of suvorexant during 1-year treatment of insomnia with subsequent abrupt treatment discontinuation: a phase 3 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.Michelson, D., Snyder, E., Paradis, E., et al.[2022]
Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial evaluating the effects of the orexin receptor antagonist suvorexant on sleep architecture and delirium in the intensive care unit.Azimaraghi, O., Hammer, M., Santer, P., et al.[2021]
Identification of Suvorexant in Urine Using Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole/Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (LC-Q/TOF-MS).Sullinger, S., Bryand, K., Kerrigan, S.[2017]
Effects of the orexin receptor antagonist suvorexant on respiration during sleep in healthy subjects.Uemura, N., McCrea, J., Sun, H., et al.[2015]
Determination of suvorexant in human plasma using 96-well liquid-liquid extraction and HPLC with tandem mass spectrometric detection.Breidinger, SA., Simpson, RC., Mangin, E., et al.[2019]

References

Suvorexant: first global approval. [2021]
Safety and efficacy of suvorexant during 1-year treatment of insomnia with subsequent abrupt treatment discontinuation: a phase 3 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. [2022]
Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial evaluating the effects of the orexin receptor antagonist suvorexant on sleep architecture and delirium in the intensive care unit. [2021]
Identification of Suvorexant in Urine Using Liquid Chromatography-Quadrupole/Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (LC-Q/TOF-MS). [2017]
Effects of the orexin receptor antagonist suvorexant on respiration during sleep in healthy subjects. [2015]
Determination of suvorexant in human plasma using 96-well liquid-liquid extraction and HPLC with tandem mass spectrometric detection. [2019]