7 mins read

Overview: Quviviq is used to treat insomnia. It works in the brain to help you fall asleep or stay asleep. The most common side effects are headache, tiredness, and feeling sleepy during the day. Take Quviviq only if you can stay in bed for at least 7 hours before getting up. It can cause next-day drowsiness and reduced alertness, especially if you do not get a full night of sleep. Stop taking Quviviq and contact your health care provider if you sleepwalk or do other activities while not fully awake.

Uses

What is Quviviq used for?

Quviviq (daridorexant) is commonly used to treat people who have trouble sleeping, which is a condition called insomnia. It can be used for people who have trouble falling asleep or those who have trouble staying asleep. 

Quviviq may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Quviviq work (mechanism of action)?

Orexins are substances in the brain that promote wakefulness. Quviviq blocks the effect of orexins, which promote sleep. 

Learn more about How Quviviq Works for Insomnia.

How is Quviviq supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Quviviq

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 25 mg, 50 mg oral tablets

How should I store Quviviq?

Quviviq be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Quviviq?

The most common side effects of Quviviq are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Headache
  • Drowsiness 
  • Tiredness

There may be other side effects of Quviviq that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Quviviq?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Quviviq are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Daytime Sleepiness and Decreased Alertness. Quviviq may cause sleepiness during the day and impair your ability to drive safely or think clearly. The risk is higher if you take more Quviviq than prescribed, if you do not sleep a full night after taking a dose, or if it is taken with alcohol or other medicines that can cause drowsiness. Make sure that you only take the dose of Quviviq that is prescribed for you in the evening within 30 minutes before going to bed for at least 7 hours of rest. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how Quviviq affects you. 

Worsening of Depression and Suicidal Thoughts or Actions. Quviviq may worsen depression and cause suicidal thoughts or actions. If you are about to harm yourself, call 911 or call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • New or increased thoughts of suicide or death
  • Suicide attempt
  • New or increased feelings of anxiety, depression, or other unusual changes in mood or behavior

Hallucinations or Temporary Inability to Move or Talk. Quviviq can cause sleep paralysis, which is the inability to move or talk for several minutes when falling asleep or waking up. It can also cause hallucinations when falling asleep or waking up, which can be intense or disturbing. Symptoms similar to mild cataplexy can also occur. This can include leg weakness that lasts for a few seconds or minutes. Call your health care provider if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Inability to move or speak when falling asleep or waking up 
  • Seeing or hearing things that others do not see or hear, also called hallucinations
  • Leg or muscle weakness

Complex Sleep Behaviors. Quviviq can cause complex sleep behaviors, which are activities that are done while not fully awake. Some examples of such activities are sleepwalking, sleep driving, preparing and eating food, making phone calls, and having sex. You usually don’t remember these events. Stop taking Quviviq right away and call your health care provider if you do any activities while not fully awake. 

Severe Allergic Reactions. Quviviq may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Quviviq and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Quviviq?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Quviviq.

  • Quviviq
  • Daridorexant
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Quviviq.

Narcolepsy. People who have been diagnosed with narcolepsy should not take Quviviq. Narcolepsy is a disorder that causes people to fall asleep at unexpected times.

What should I know about Quviviq before using it?

Do not take Quviviq unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.  

Do not share Quviviq with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep Quviviq out of the reach of children. Quviviq is a controlled substance because it can be misused or lead to dependence. Store Quviviq in a safe place to protect it from theft. It is illegal to sell or give away this medicine.

Take Quviviq only once per night, within 30 minutes before going to bed. Do not take Quviviq if you are not able to sleep in bed for a full night or at least 7 hours before getting up. If you feel that Quviviq is not working within 7-10 days or if your trouble sleeping worsens, contact your health care provider. 

People who are 65 years of age and older can be at greater risk for falling from Quviviq because the risk of excessive sleepiness after taking Quviviq increases with age. Talk to your health care provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

Quviviq can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination if you do not feel fully awake, slept less than 7 hours, or took more Quviviq than prescribed.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Quviviq?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Quviviq is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Breathing or Lung Problems. Quviviq could affect breathing in people who have problems with breathing or their lungs. Tell your health provider if you have a history of breathing problems, including the following conditions.

  • Obstructive sleep apnea, which is a problem with breathing while you sleep
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD, which is a condition that causes people to have trouble breathing

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how Quviviq could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take Quviviq while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. There is a registry for people who take Quviviq during pregnancy that collects health and safety information. You can participate in the registry by calling 833-400-9611.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Quviviq passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Substance Use Disorder. Tell your health care provider if you have a history of a drug or alcohol use disorder. Quviviq is a controlled substance and may be misused. 

Other Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Liver problems
  • Depression or suicidal thoughts or actions
  • A history of cataplexy, which is muscle weakness often associated with a sleep condition called narcolepsy

Other Medicines and Supplements. Quviviq may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking Quviviq, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

How can I get more information about Quviviq?

For more information about Quviviq, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.quviviq.com or call them at 833-400-9611. 

Interactions

Does Quviviq interact with foods or drinks?

Taking Quviviq with or shortly after meals can cause it to take longer to work. 

Do not drink alcohol while taking Quviviq because it can increase the risk for drowsiness, including the next day.

Does Quviviq interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking Quviviq.

  • Any other medicine that causes dizziness and sleepiness (e.g., prescription pain medicines, sleep medicines, and medicines for anxiety)
  • A tricyclic antidepressant, even if it is not used for depression
  • Any other medicines to treat insomnia, which is trouble sleeping 

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of Quviviq, and vice versa. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Quviviq. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Quviviq?

If you or someone else has used too much Quviviq, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Quviviq?

If you miss a dose of Quviviq, do not take the missed dose later that night unless you have enough time to sleep a full night (at least 7 hours) before becoming active again. Do not take the missed dose the following day. Do not take double or extra doses.