Quviviq
Pronunciation: cue-VIH-vick
Generic name: daridorexant
Dosage form: oral tablet
Drug class: Miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics
What is Quviviq?
Quviviq (daridorexant) is a prescription medicine that may be used to encourage sleep in adults who have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep (insomnia).
Quviviq's mechanism of action involves blocking a chemical in the brain called orexin, that keeps the brain alert. Quviviq stops orexin from binding to its receptors, which helps the brain to calm down and prepare for sleep. Quviviq is designed to help adults fall asleep more easily and sleep through the night. Quviviq is not a benzodiazepine and belongs to the drug class called orexin antagonists (see What is the mechanism of action for Quviviq for more information).
Quviviq gained FDA approval on January 7, 2022. There is no Quviviq generic available.
Is Quviviq a controlled substance?
Quviviq is a federally controlled substance (schedule IV) because it can be abused or lead to dependence.
Keep Quviviq in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away Quviviq may harm others and is against the law.
What does Quviviq cost?
Quviviq costs just over $500 for a supply of 30 tablets. Some people may be eligible for a Quviviq coupon or Quviviq copay card.
Quviviq side effects
The most common side effects of Quviviq are headache and sleepiness.
Quviviq has not been associated with weight gain.
Serious side effects and warnings
Quviviq may cause the following serious side effects.
Decreased awareness and alertness. The morning after you take Quviviq, your ability to drive safely and think clearly may be decreased. You may also have sleepiness during the day.
- Do not take more Quviviq than prescribed.
- Do not take Quviviq unless you are able to stay in bed for a full night (at least 7 hours) before you must be active again.
- Take Quviviq in the evening within 30 minutes before going to bed.
Worsening depression and suicidal thoughts. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any worsening depression or thoughts of suicide or dying while taking Quviviq.
Temporary inability to move or talk (sleep paralysis) for up to several minutes, or hallucinations while you are going to sleep or waking up. Quviviq may cause sleep paralysis or hallucinations. Talk to your healthcare provider immediately if you experience these.
Complex sleep behaviors such as sleep-walking, sleep-driving, preparing and eating food, making phone calls, having sex, or doing other activities while not fully awake that you may not remember the next morning, have been reported by people taking Quviviq. Stop taking Quviviq and call your healthcare provider right away if you experience any of these behaviors.
It is not known if Quviviq is safe and effective for use in children.
These are not all of the possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Related/similar drugs
Before taking
Do not take Quviviq if you have narcolepsy (a condition where you fall asleep suddenly, often at unexpected or inappropriate times.
Before taking Quviviq, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have a history of depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts or actions
- have a history of drug or alcohol abuse or addiction
- have a history of a sudden onset of muscle weakness (cataplexy)
- have a history of daytime sleepiness
- have lung or breathing problems, including sleep apnea
- have liver problems
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
- are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Pregnancy
It is not known if Quviviq can harm your unborn baby. There is a pregnancy registry for women who are exposed to Quviviq during pregnancy. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the health of you and your baby. For more information or to participate in the registry, call 1-833-400-9611. Talk with your healthcare provider about the risk to your unborn baby if you take Quviviq during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding
It is not known if Quviviq passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby during treatment.
How should I take Quviviq?
Take Quviviq exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. Do not change your dose without first talking to your healthcare provider.
- Take Quviviq 1 time each night, within 30 minutes before going to bed.
- Only take Quviviq when you can stay in bed for a full night (at least 7 hours). There should be at least 7 hours remaining before you plan to wake up
- It may take Quviviq longer to start working if you take it with or soon after food.
Call your healthcare provider if you still can't sleep properly and you have been taking Quviviq for 7 to 10 days. This may mean that another condition is causing your sleep problem.
Quviviq dosage
The usual adult dose of Quviviq is 25 mg to 50 mg once per night.
What happens if I take too much Quviviq?
If you take too much Quviviq or overdose, call your healthcare provider immediately or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.
What should I avoid while taking Quviviq?
Do not drink alcohol while taking Quviviq because it may increase the effects of alcohol or Quviviq, which may be dangerous.
You may still feel drowsy the next day after taking Quviviq.
- Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, do anything dangerous, or do other activities that require clear thinking if you have taken Quviviq as prescribed but do not feel fully awake, you have taken Quviviq and have less than a full night of sleep (at least 7 hours), or if you have taken more Quviviq than prescribed by your healthcare provider.
What other drugs will affect Quviviq?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Taking Quviviq with certain medicines can cause serious side effects. Quviviq may affect the way other medicines work and other medicines may affect the way Quviviq works.
Taking Quviviq with medicines that have drowsiness as a side effect (such as sedating antihistamines, benzodiazepines, or muscle relaxants).
Do not take Quviviq with other medicines that are used to promote sleep, such as Ambien (see Quviviq vs Ambien).
Other drugs may affect Quviviq, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Quviviq storage
Store Quviviq at room temperature between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
Quviviq ingredients
Quviviq active ingredient: daridorexant hydrochloride
Quviviq inactive ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, and silicon dioxide.
The tablet film coating contains: glycerin, hypromellose, iron oxide black, iron oxide red, microcrystalline cellulose, talc, titanium dioxide, and, in the 50 mg tablet only, iron oxide yellow.
Available as Quviviq 25 mg tablets and Quviviq 50 mg tablets.
Who makes Quviviq?
Idorsia Pharmaceuticals US Inc. makes Quviviq.
Popular FAQ
Does Quviviq cause weight gain?
Recent clinical studies and the manufacturer provide evidence that Quviviq does not cause weight gain. Weight gain was not shown in two clinical studies and is not listed as a side effect in the manufacturer’s product labeling. The most common side effects with Quviviq include headache and sleepiness.
How long does it take Quviviq to work?
Quviviq usually works within 30 minutes after you take it. It may take longer for you to get to sleep if you take it with or right after a meal. Take Quviviq only one time each night, within 30 minutes before going to bed and when you can stay in bed for at least 7 hours. Do not take more Quviviq than prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Can you take Quviviq long term?
You can take Quviviq long-term if this is how your healthcare provider prescribes it for insomnia (trouble sleeping). Do not take more Quviviq than prescribed by your doctor. Quviviq contains daridorexant, a Schedule IV controlled substance. Individuals with a history of alcohol or drug abuse or addiction may be at an increased risk for abuse of or addiction to Quviviq.
Is Quviviq a benzodiazepine?
Quviviq is not a benzodiazepine, it is an orexin antagonist medication that works by blocking orexin receptors. The orexin signaling system regulates wakefulness, feeding, and other behaviors, and by blocking these receptors Quviviq is thought to suppress the drive to wake up.
Quviviq vs. Ambien: How do they compare?
Both Quviviq and Ambien are oral prescription medicines used to help with trouble sleeping (known as insomnia). Quviviq and Ambien CR are used for adults who have trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep, while Ambien is used to help with sleep onset due to a shorter duration of action. Continue reading
What is the mechanism of action for Quviviq?
Quviviq is a dual orexin receptor antagonist (DORA) insomnia medicine for adults that works by blocking orexin receptors. Quviviq turns down overactive wakefulness by blocking orexins, which are chemical messengers in the brain that promote wakefulness. It may be prescribed if you have trouble falling or staying asleep. Continue reading
How do I get and use a Quviviq coupon or savings card?
You can access the Quviviq savings card from the manufacturer’s website or you can call 1-866-303-1222 for more information. Get your first 30-day prescription for as little as $0 and 30-day refills for $25, if you qualify. When you fill your Quviviq prescription, give the card to your pharmacist who can apply the savings to your copay. Continue reading
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