Quviviq is a prescription medication used to treat insomnia in adults who have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
It works by blocking the action of orexin, a chemical in the brain that regulates wakefulness, helping to promote sleep.
Quviviq is taken as an oral tablet, typically once a night before bedtime, and is designed to improve sleep onset and maintenance without causing grogginess the next day.
It offers an alternative to traditional sleep aids, focusing on improving sleep quality and duration with a lower risk of dependence.
Quviviq is a prescription medication used to treat insomnia in adults who have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
It works by blocking the action of orexin, a chemical in the brain that regulates wakefulness, helping to promote sleep.
Quviviq is taken as an oral tablet, typically once a night before bedtime, and is designed to improve sleep onset and maintenance without causing grogginess the next day.
It offers an alternative to traditional sleep aids, focusing on improving sleep quality and duration with a lower risk of dependence.
Additional information
Pack size
30 tablets
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Quviviq 50mg Tablets contain daridorexant, a medication specifically designed to treat insomnia in adults who have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Unlike traditional sleeping pills, Quviviq works by reducing wakefulness, helping users get a more natural sleep without significantly altering sleep patterns.
Key Features:
Active Ingredient: Daridorexant 50mg
Mechanism of Action: Quviviq 50mg or daridorexant is a dual orexin receptor antagonist (DORA), which blocks the action of orexin, a chemical in the brain that promotes wakefulness.
Benefits: Helps improve both sleep onset and maintenance, promoting a restful night without the “hangover” effect common with other sleep aids.
Usage: Recommended to be taken once daily, 30 minutes before bedtime, ensuring at least seven hours of sleep time.
Safety Profile: Quviviq has a lower risk of dependence and tolerance compared to many traditional sleep medications. It is also designed to minimize side effects like daytime drowsiness.
Active ingredients in Quviviq 50mg
Each film-coated tablet contains daridorexant hydrochloride equivalent to 50 mg of daridorexant.
What is Quviviq 50mg used for?
Daridorexant is recommended for adults dealing with chronic insomnia, where symptoms, such as trouble falling or staying asleep, have lasted at least three months and significantly affect daytime activities.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) advises that daridorexant should be used for adults experiencing insomnia three or more nights a week for at least three months, especially if it severely impacts daily life.
It is recommended when cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBTi) has been tried but didn’t work, isn’t available, or isn’t suitable.
The treatment should be short-term, and its effectiveness should be reviewed within three months. If insomnia doesn’t improve, the medication should be stopped, and if continued, it should be regularly assessed to ensure it’s still helpful.
How does Quviviq 50mg work?
Daridorexant helps people with insomnia by targeting specific brain receptors that control wakefulness. It’s known as a dual orexin receptor antagonist because it blocks both orexin 1 and orexin 2 receptors.
Normally, orexin neuropeptides (orexin A and orexin B) activate these receptors to keep us awake and alert. By preventing this activation, daridorexant reduces the drive to stay awake, making it easier to fall and stay asleep.
Unlike some sleep medications, daridorexant doesn’t change the natural stages of sleep. Studies in animals and humans have shown that it lets the body go through the usual sleep cycles, ensuring a more natural sleep experience. This makes daridorexant a unique option for treating insomnia, as it helps promote sleep without disrupting its normal structure.
How do you take Quviviq50mg?
The usual dose of daridorexant is 50 mg, taken once a day about 30 minutes before going to bed.
For some people, like those with moderate liver problems, a lower dose of 25 mg might be better. This lower dose is also taken once a day, within 30 minutes before bedtime.
Who should not take Quviviq 50mg tablets?
Daridorexant should not be used in people with:
Narcolepsy.
Severe liver problems (severe hepatic impairment).
It should be used cautiously in people who:
Have a history of depression or other mental health issues, as it may worsen symptoms, including suicidal thoughts.
Have severe sleep apnea (OSA) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Are over 75, since this age group has limited information on its safety and effectiveness. Daridorexant should be used carefully in older adults due to the general risk of falls in this age group, though studies haven’t shown an increase in falls compared to a placebo. For those over 75, there’s limited data on the medication's effectiveness and safety, so caution is advised.
Have a history of drug or alcohol abuse, due to a potential risk of dependence.
Will be driving, operating heavy machinery, or doing hazardous activities, especially in the first few days of treatment, as they should only do so if they feel fully alert.
Drink alcohol since combining it with daridorexant may affect motor skills and alertness.
CNS-Depressant Effects: Since daridorexant reduces wakefulness, patients should avoid driving, operating heavy machinery, or engaging in hazardous activities until they are fully alert, particularly at the start of treatment. Combining daridorexant with other CNS depressants or alcohol can enhance sedative effects, so dose adjustments may be necessary.
Pregnancy and breasfeeding: It's best to avoid using daridorexant during pregnancy and breasfeeding unless it's absolutely necessary, as there is limited information available on its safety.
What are the side effects of Quviviq 50mg tablets?
Sleep-Related Issues: Patients may experience sleep paralysis, hallucinations, or cataplexy-like symptoms, especially during the first weeks of treatment. These symptoms should be discussed with patients, and if they occur, further evaluation or stopping the medication may be needed.
The most common side effects of daridorexant are headaches and drowsiness. These side effects are usually mild to moderate and don’t seem to increase with higher doses. The side effects reported in older adults are similar to those in younger individuals.
List of Side Effects
Immune System: Uncommon reactions like rash or hives (hypersensitivity).
Psychiatric Issues: Uncommon cases of hallucinations, unusual dreams, nightmares, and sleepwalking.
Nervous System: Common side effects include headaches, drowsiness, and dizziness, with sleep paralysis being uncommon.
Digestive System: Nausea is a common reaction.
General Conditions: Fatigue is common.
Specific Side Effects
Drowsiness: Reported in 3% of patients taking 25 mg and 2% taking 50 mg, compared to 2% on placebo.
Sleep Paralysis and Hallucinations: Rare, mainly during the first few weeks of treatment, affecting a small percentage of those on 25 mg doses.
It’s important to report any suspected side effects to ensure ongoing monitoring of the medicine’s safety. Healthcare professionals can report these through the Yellow Card scheme, available online or via mobile apps.
Does Quviviq 50mg inteact with other medicines?
Enzyme Blockers (CYP3A4 Inhibitors)
CYP3A4 is an enzyme in your body that helps break down many drugs. When daridorexant (25 mg) is taken with medications that block this enzyme, such as diltiazem (for high blood pressure), the level of daridorexant can increase in your system. Other examples include erythromycin and ciprofloxacin (antibiotics) and cyclosporine (used after organ transplants). If you're on these medications, the recommended dose of daridorexant is 25 mg. Avoid strong blockers like itraconazole (for fungal infections) or ritonavir (for HIV) and steer clear of grapefruit in the evening, as it can alter daridorexant levels.
Enzyme Boosters (CYP3A4 Inducers)
CYP3A4 inducers are drugs that speed up the breakdown of other medications. If you take daridorexant with these, such as efavirenz (for HIV), it may become less effective because it's broken down too quickly.
Stomach Acid Reducers (Gastric pH Modifiers)
Medications like famotidine (for heartburn) lower stomach acid and can reduce the peak levels of daridorexant. However, the total amount of the drug in your body remains the same, so no dose change is needed.
How Daridorexant Affects Other Drugs
CYP3A4-Dependent Drugs
Some medications rely on CYP3A4 for processing, like midazolam (a sedative). Daridorexant can slightly increase their levels, so extra caution is needed, especially with high-dose simvastatin (for cholesterol) or tacrolimus (for transplant patients). It doesn’t affect birth control pills, so they remain safe to use with daridorexant.
CYP2C9-Dependent Drugs
CYP2C9 is another enzyme that breaks down drugs like warfarin (a blood thinner). Daridorexant doesn’t interfere with this enzyme, so no dose adjustments are necessary.
Transport Proteins (BCRP or P-gp)
BCRP and P-gp help move drugs in and out of cells. Daridorexant doesn't affect BCRP-dependent drugs like rosuvastatin (for cholesterol). However, it can slightly raise the levels of P-gp-dependent drugs like dabigatran (a blood thinner), so be cautious when taking these together.
Alcohol
While drinking alcohol with daridorexant doesn’t change the total amount of the drug in your body, it can delay absorption and increase drowsiness, reducing alertness. Be careful with activities like driving when combining the two.
Quviviq 50mg FAQs
What is QUVIVIQ 50mg?
QUVIVIQ is a medication that helps people with insomnia (trouble sleeping) by helping them fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.
What is the active ingredient in Quviviq 50mg?
The active ingredient in Quviviq is daridorexant 50mg.
How does QUVIVIQ 50mg work?
QUVIVIQ 50mg works by affecting certain chemicals in the brain that help regulate sleep. It helps to calm your brain and promote sleepiness.
How do I take QUVIVIQ 50mg?
You should take QUVIVIQ 50mg exactly as your doctor tells you. It's usually taken as a single pill right before bedtime. It’s important to take it only when you can get a full night’s rest (7 to 8 hours).
Can I take QUVIVIQ 50mg with other medications?
You should always tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking, including over-the-counter ones, as some medications can interact with QUVIVIQ.
What if I miss a dose of QUVIVIQ 50mg?
If you miss a dose, don’t double up the next time. Just skip the missed dose and take your next one as usual. Always follow your doctor’s instructions.
Are there any side effects of QUVIVIQ 50mg?
Some people may feel drowsy, dizzy, or have headaches when taking QUVIVIQ 50mg. If you notice any unusual or severe side effects, talk to your doctor.
Can I drink alcohol while taking QUVIVIQ 50mg?
It's not recommended to drink alcohol while taking QUVIVIQ 50mg, as it can increase drowsiness and cause other side effects. Speak with your doctor for more guidance.
Is QUVIVIQ 50mg safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?
There is limited information about QUVIVIQ's safety during pregnancy, so it’s usually only used if necessary. If you're breastfeeding, talk to your doctor, as the drug can pass into breast milk.
How long can I take QUVIVIQ 50mg?
The length of time you should take QUVIVIQ 50mg depends on your specific situation. It’s generally used for short-term sleep problems, but your doctor will guide you on how long to use it.
What should I do if I feel like QUVIVIQ 50mg isn’t working for me?
If QUVIVIQ 50mg isn’t helping with your sleep after a few days, talk to your doctor. They may adjust your dose or suggest a different treatment for your insomnia.
