Quviviq is a prescription insomnia medication that contains the active ingredient daridorexant. It belongs to a group of medications called orexin receptor antagonists, which work by blocking certain neurotransmitters in the brain that keep you awake, helping your brain wind down naturally when it is time to sleep. Quviviq is manufactured by Idorsia Pharmaceuticals UK Ltd.

Quviviq contains the active ingredient daridorexant, which works by preventing orexin, a brain chemical that promotes wakefulness, from binding to its receptors. This makes it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep for longer. Quviviq is not a sedative, so it won’t make you feel drowsy or force you to sleep when your body isn’t ready.

How long does Quviviq last?

The effects of Quiviviq last for around 8 hours, which is enough time to cover an average night’s sleep.

How long does Quviviq stay in your system?

Quviviq has a half-life of around 8 hours, which means it takes 45 to 55 hours for the medication to completely leave your system.

How long does Quviviq take to work?

Quviviq starts working within 30 minutes of taking a dose, but it can take a few weeks to a month for you to notice the full benefit.

How effective is Quviviq?

Clinical trial data have shown that 53% of people taking 50mg of Quviviq noticed an improvement in their sleep within at least 1 week compared to 41% taking a placebo.

Further research shows that after 3 months, Quviviq improved:

• sleep duration
• the time it took to fall asleep
• daytime sleepiness

Is Quviviq safe?

Yes, Quviviq is generally considered safe when a doctor approves its use. It was approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in September 2023 for the treatment of long-term insomnia in adults, following rigorous clinical testing.

You should swallow a Quviviq tablet whole with a glass of water. You can take it with or without food, but it can take longer to work if you take it with or straight after a large meal.

When to take Quviviq

You should take Quviviq within half an hour (30 minutes) before going to bed at night.

How much Quviviq to take

Your doctor will tell you how much Quviviq you need to take, but the recommended dose is one 50mg tablet per night. If you have liver issues or you take medications that may interact with Quviviq, a doctor may prescribe a lower 25mg daily dose.

How long do you need to take Quviviq for?

Quviviq should be taken for the shortest possible time, but a doctor will review your treatment within 3 months to determine its effectiveness. Quviviq should not be taken for more than 12 months.

What if I miss a dose of Quviviq?

If you forget to take Quviviq, do not take it later during the night, as this may cause daytime drowsiness. You should miss the dose and continue taking it as usual the following evening before bed. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten one.

What if I take too much Quviviq?

If you take too much Quviviq, you may feel very sleepy and get muscle weakness. You should call your doctor straight away, or if it is out of hours, call 111 for advice.

Can you overdose on Quviviq?

Yes, taking more Quviviq than you have been prescribed can cause an overdose. You should contact your doctor straight away if you take too much Quviviq. In an emergency, call 999 or get someone to take you to A&E. Do not drive if you have taken Quviviq.

Can you take Quviviq every night?

Yes, Quviviq is designed to be taken every night to treat chronic insomnia, for up to 12 months.

Quviviq requires a prescription from a doctor before you can get it, either on the NHS or privately from a trusted online doctor service.

Can I buy Quviviq online?

Yes, Quviviq is available online from Superdrug Online Doctor. To request Quviviq for insomnia, you will need to:

1. Fill out a short online health questionnaire for one of our doctors to review.
2. Complete your payment and choose your delivery options.
3. Once approved, your medication will be delivered to your address in plain, discreet packaging, or you can choose to collect it from your nearest Superdrug Pharmacy.
4. If your request is not approved, one of our doctors will recommend an alternative.

Can I buy Quviviq over the counter?

No, Quviviq is a prescription-only medication, which means you cannot buy it over the counter. There are over-the-counter treatments available to help you sleep, but these usually contain herbal ingredients that are not as effective as prescription treatments and are usually recommended for mild and infrequent sleep problems.

Can I get Quviviq on the NHS?

Yes, Quviviq is available on the NHS as a second-line treatment and is usually prescribed if you have tried cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), and it has not worked or if CBT-I is not available in your area or is unsuitable for you.

Like all medications, Quviviq can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them.

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) include:

• headache
• excessive sleepiness
• dizziness
• tiredness
• feeling sick (nausea)

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) are:

• temporary inability to move or speak (paralysis) for several minutes when falling asleep or waking up
• hallucinations
• allergic reactions
• abnormal dreams or nightmares
• sleepwalking

For a full list of potential Quviviq side effects, please read the patient information leaflet that is supplied with your medication.

How long do Quviviq side effects last?

Quviviq side effects can last from a few days to a few weeks, until your body gets used to the medication. Most of the side effects reported in clinical trials were mild to moderate.

What to do if you get Quviviq side effects

Most mild Quviviq side effects can be managed at home, such as:

• nausea – eat smaller, more frequent meals and include plain foods, such as rice and crackers; some people find it helps to take Quviviq with food
• excessive sleepiness or tiredness – stay rested until you get used to the treatment and make sure you take Quviviq at the right time, ideally not too close to the morning
• headache – stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and take over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen
• dizziness – make sure you are eating enough during the day, drink water, and stay rested until you feel better

If you get any severe or difficult-to-manage side effects, contact your doctor. If you get any of the following serious side effects, call 999 or get someone to take you to A&E:

• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• swelling of your lips, tongue, face, or throat
• fainting or collapse
• a new rash

Quviviq is used to treat short or long-term insomnia in adults aged 18 to 75 who are not taking any medication that interacts with its active ingredients or have any medical conditions that may impact its effectiveness. However, it may not be suitable for everyone, which is why you must get a prescription from a doctor first.

Do not take Quviviq if you:

• are allergic to daridorexant or any other ingredients listed in the medication
• have narcolepsy, a condition that causes you to suddenly fall asleep
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have severe liver problems

Before taking Quviviq, tell your doctor if you:

• have depression
• have a psychiatric disorder
• currently take any medications for anxiety or depression
• have regularly taken illegal drugs or have been addicted to drugs or alcohol
• have liver problems
• have breathing difficulties, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• have a history of falling and are over 65

Quviviq and other medications

Before taking Quviviq, tell your doctor about any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medications you are taking. Some medications can interact with Quviviq and make it less effective or potentially dangerous.

Do not take Quviviq if you are taking:

• oral medications to treat a fungal infection (ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole)
• some antibiotics to treat bacterial infections (clarithromycin, josamycin, telithromycin, troleandomycin)
• certain medications to treat HIV (ritonavir, elvetegravir, indinavir, saquivanir, telaprevir, danoprevir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, boceprevir)
• cancer medications, including ceritinib, idelasilib, ribociclib, and tucatinib

Quviviq and pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant, considering getting pregnant, or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor before taking Quviviq because it is not known if it can harm your unborn baby.

A small amount of Quviviq may pass into your breastmilk, so it is important that you speak to your doctor before taking it if you are breastfeeding.

Quviviq and food and drink

You should avoid grapefruit juice when taking Quviviq because it can increase the amount of daridorexant in your blood, enhancing its effect. You should also avoid drinking alcohol because this can reduce your balance and coordination, increasing your risk of falling.

Quviviq is not the only insomnia treatment available. At Superdrug Online Doctor, we offer melatonin tablets if Quviviq is not suitable for you or you’d prefer not to take it. Melatonin works by increasing the levels of the naturally produced hormone in the body. It is suitable for people aged 18 and over and can be taken for up to 13 weeks.

Melatonin is also prescribed as a short-term treatment for jet lag.

Quviviq vs melatonin

Both Quviviq and melatonin are prescription-only medications that can be taken to treat insomnia. Quviviq contains the active ingredient daridorexant, which works by blocking orexin, a chemical produced by the brain to keep you awake. Melatonin, on the other hand, is a naturally produced hormone that regulates your sleep-wake cycle. Its levels are naturally highest in the evening, promoting sleep. However, some people with insomnia may have low levels, and melatonin tablets help to promote sleep.

Quviviq may be prescribed for more severe or persistent, long-term insomnia, while melatonin may be more suitable for mild to moderate sleep issues.

Quviviq vs Ambien (zolpidem)

Quviviq (daridorexant) and Ambien (zolpidem) treat insomnia in different ways. Quviviq is a dual orexin receptor antagonist (DORA), which works by blocking wake signals in the brain, helping you both fall asleep and stay asleep. Ambien, a “Z-drug,” enhances the calming neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and is primarily used to help people fall asleep quickly.

A key difference is safety and duration. Ambien acts quickly but is shorter-acting and can cause next-day drowsiness, unusual sleep behaviours, and dependence. Quviviq, on the other hand, has a lower chance of dependence and is designed to support both nighttime sleep and next-day functioning, making it a more modern option for long-term management.

Quviviq vs Dayvigo

Quviviq and Dayvigo are both newer insomnia treatments from the same class (DORAs), meaning they work by blocking orexin, a chemical that promotes wakefulness. However, Dayvigo contains the active ingredient lemborexant and is not approved or available in the UK.

Quviviq vs trazodone

Quviviq is specifically licensed for insomnia and targets the brain’s sleep–wake system directly via orexin receptors. Trazodone is an antidepressant that may be prescribed off-label for sleep because of its sedating effects, rather than being designed as a primary insomnia treatment.

Quviviq vs Belsomra

Belsomra is a branded insomnia tablet that contains the active ingredient suvorexant, but it is not available in the UK. It works in a similar way to Quviviq by binding to the orexin receptors in the brain and blocking wake signals.

Is Quviviq legal in the UK?

Yes, Quviviq is legal and approved for use in the UK. It is a prescription-only treatment, so you will need a doctor’s approval before you can get it. Both the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and NICE have approved the use of Quviviq for insomnia in the UK.