Quviviq (Daridorexant)

Quviviq is a prescription tablet used for treating insomnia (not being able to get to sleep). The active ingredient in Quviviq is daridorexant. Daridorexant is a kind of medication called a ‘dual orexin receptor antagonist’. This means it blocks the pathways in your brain that keep you awake.

The active ingredient in Quviviq, daridorexant, works by blocking the chemicals in your brain that are responsible for keeping you awake. This means it’s easier to get to sleep, helping reduce the impact of insomnia.

Quviviq takes about 30 minutes to start working, so it’s a good idea to take it at least 30 minutes before you want to go to sleep. Quiviq lasts around 7 to 8 hours, which is why it’s important to only take it when you know you can spend at least 7 hours in bed.

Quviviq helps over half of people who try it get better sleep. For people who do experience an improvement to their sleep, on average they see around:

• 6 to 12 minutes less time before they fall asleep
• 10 to 23 fewer minutes spent awake during the night after they get to sleep
• 10 to 22 minutes more total amount of time spent asleep at night

To take Quviviq:

• take it 30 minutes before you plan to sleep
• swallow a maximum of 1 tablet whole each night, with water if needed
• take it with or without food, but be aware that a heavy meal might slow down how quickly it works
• avoid grapefruit, grapefruit juice, and alcohol since these can make side effects more likely

Quviviq comes in either the usual 50mg dose or 25mg for people who need a lower dose due to existing health conditions like liver damage. Only take the dose you’ve been prescribed and never take more than 1 tablet a day.

Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery for at least 9 hours after taking Quviviq.

For how long can you take Quviviq?

Quviviq is not meant to be used as a long-term treatment. Your doctor will review your symptoms after 3 months, and if it’s working well for you and you do not have severe side effects, it may be prescribed for up to another 9 months. You should not take it for more than 1 year.

Like all medications, Quviviq can cause side effects for some people who take it.

Common side effects which affect up to 1 in 10 people include:

• headaches
• excessive sleepiness
• feeling dizzy
• feeling tired
• feeling sick (nausea)

Uncommon side effects which affect up to 1 in 100 people include:

• being unable to move or talk for a few minutes when either going to sleep or waking up (sleep paralysis)
• seeing or hearing things that are not real, which are vivid or disturbing (hallucinations)
• unusual dreams or nightmares
• sleepwalking

Most side effects of Quviviq last a few days to a few weeks after you start treatment. These side effects are usually mild and go away on their own. If you do get side effects, you can usually manage them at home, for example, if you get:

• headaches – stay hydrated and take over-the-counter painkillers
• sleepiness – take your medication earlier, up to an hour before sleeping, and avoid alcohol
• dizziness – be sure to stand up slowly if you wake up in the night and when you get up in the morning
• feeling sick – eat bland foods and try ginger tea early in the evening

You should tell your doctor straight away if you get:

• sleep paralysis
• hallucinations
• worsening depression symptoms
• thoughts of harming yourself

For full information on side effects, see the patient information leaflet that comes with your medication.

Quviviq should be safe if a doctor prescribes it for you, but not everyone can safely use it. Some health conditions and other medications might make Quviviq less effective or unsafe.

You may not be able to take Quviviq if you:

• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have an allergy to daridorexant or any other ingredients in Quviviq
• have narcolepsy – a condition that causes sudden, unexpected sleep
• have depression, are suicidal, or you have other mental health disorders
• have severe liver problems
• have breathing problems
• have a history of falling and you’re over 65
• have a history of drug or alcohol dependence

You may also not be able to take Quiviviq if you’re taking the following:

• medications for depression and anxiety
• oral medications for fungal infections, like ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, or itraconazole
• medications for bacterial infections, like clarithromycin, josamycin, telithromycin, or troleandomycin
• medications for HIV infections, like ritonavir, elvitegravir, indinavir, saquivanir, telaprevir, danoprevir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, or boceprevir
• medications for cancer, like ceritinib, idelalisib, ribociclib, or tucatinib

You can get Quviviq with a prescription from regulated online services like Asda Online Doctor, and in some cases on the NHS. You cannot get it over the counter.

Can I buy Quviviq online?

Yes, you can request Quviviq treatment online from services like Asda Online Doctor. Simply:

1. Complete a short questionnaire about your health and current medications.
2. Select your preferred treatment.
3. Choose your preferred delivery method.
4. Log in or sign up for an account.
5. Submit payment details.
6. A doctor will then check your request to make sure it’s right for you.
7. If your request is approved, your treatment will be sent to an Asda Pharmacy for collection or delivered to your preferred address.
8. If your request cannot be approved, payment will not be taken and a doctor will contact you with advice and next steps.

Can I buy Quviviq over the counter?

No, Quviviq is a prescription-only medication and cannot be bought over the counter in pharmacies. A doctor needs to confirm that it’s safe for you to use Quviviq.

Can I get Quviviq on the NHS?

Yes, but only for people who have already tried cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi) first. If you have not already received CBTi, your GP will likely refer you for therapy before agreeing to prescribe Quviviq. The waiting lists will differ depending on your area and your GP can provide you with more information on how long you’ll need to wait.

Other medications for insomnia available in the UK include:

• melatonin, a hormone that helps signal to your body that it’s time to sleep and is also used to help treat jet lag when your body clock is affected by travelling between time zones
• z-drugs used to help you fall asleep and avoid waking, like zopiclone and zolpidem
• benzodiazepines, which help with short-term insomnia caused by anxiety, including temazepam, lormetazepam, and nitrazepam
• over-the-counter antihistamines, like promethazine and diphenhydramine