Is Quviviq a Benzodiazepine? Plus, 6 Other Quviviq FAQs Answered
Key takeaways:
Quviviq (daridorexant) is an FDA-approved oral medication for insomnia in adults. It’s not a benzodiazepine. But like benzodiazepines, Quviviq is a Schedule IV controlled substance.
Unlike benzodiazepines, Quviviq hasn’t been shown to cause withdrawal or rebound insomnia. It also doesn’t appear to cause weight gain. But it can impair your ability to drive the day after taking it. So it’s best to avoid tasks that require you to be alert until you know how Quviviq affects you.
Quviviq is meant to be taken every night, and it typically works within 30 minutes of taking a dose. During a 12-month study, people who took Quviviq got better sleep without experiencing long-term side effects.
There are ways to save on Quviviq. GoodRx can help you access Quviviq at an exclusive cash price of $135. A manufacturer savings card is also available.
Table of contents
If you’re having difficulty sleeping, there’s a newer class of prescription sleep aids available: orexin receptor antagonists (ORAs). Of these, Quviviq (daridorexant) is one option your prescriber may consider for you.
Since Quviviq is different from many other sleep medications, you may have questions about how it works, how long you can take it, and more. Below, we answer seven frequently asked questions about Quviviq to help you know what to expect while taking it.
1. Is Quviviq a benzodiazepine?
No. Quviviq is not a benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed for anxiety, seizures, and sleep. They work on a chemical in the brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) to slow down your nervous system. Examples of these medications include temazepam (Restoril) and triazolam (Halcion).
Quviviq works in a different way to help you sleep. It belongs to a class of medications called ORAs. ORAs don’t work on GABA. Instead, they work on a chemical called orexin — more on that later.
Weigh your options: When comparing sleep medications, there are key differences in how they work, their potential side effects, and how long you can take them. See how two prescription options, Quviviq (daridorexant) and Ambien (zolpidem), compare for insomnia.
What to expect: If you’ve been prescribed Quviviq for insomnia, it’s a good idea to know what to expert. Learn more about potential Quviviq side effects, from drowsiness to daytime sleepiness.
Safety first: Before starting Quviviq, a review of your current medication list is a must. That’s because Quviviq can interact with many medications and substances, including blood pressure pills, statins, and alcohol.
2. Is Quviviq a controlled substance?
Yes. Quviviq is a controlled substance. Controlled substances are grouped into five schedules (categories), numbered I through V. Substances and medications are scheduled based on their potential for dependence and misuse. Schedule I has the greatest risk (this category includes illegal drugs), while Schedule V has the lowest risk.
Quviviq is a Schedule IV controlled substance. So, it has more potential risks than Schedule V medications and substances, but less than those in Schedules I, II, or III. Benzodiazepines are also a Schedule IV controlled substance. But unlike benzodiazepines, Quviviq hasn’t been shown to cause physical dependence or withdrawal. But, there still may be a risk of misuse.
Quviviq is available with a prescription and can be refilled, if your prescriber allows it. It can be refilled up to 5 times for up to 6 months. But this is federal law — your state’s law may be stricter.
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3. How does Quviviq work?
As mentioned above, Quviviq is an ORA. It works by blocking a chemical in your brain called orexin that regulates your sleep-wake cycle. Orexins stimulate the brain to help keep you awake. Quviviq promotes sleep by blocking the effects of orexin.
Compared with other ORAs, Quviviq lasts a shorter amount of time in the body. So, it’s possible that it may have a lower risk of next-day effects.
4. How long does Quviviq take to work?
Quviviq begins to work within 30 minutes of taking it. But Quviviq can take longer to start working if you take your dose with a high-fat, high-calorie meal.
Even when it’s taken as prescribed, Quviviq could potentially leave you feeling sleepy the next day. This can impair your ability to drive or perform tasks that require you to be alert. Avoid these activities until you know how Quviviq affects you. And don’t attempt these types of activities unless you’re able to sleep for at least 7 hours after taking Quviviq.
5. Can you take Quviviq every night?
Yes. It’s OK to take Quviviq every night. In fact, Quviviq is meant to be taken nightly. During initial clinical studies, people who took Quviviq every night for 3 months experienced progressively better sleep during this time frame.
You should only take one Quviviq tablet per night. Don’t take an extra dose, even if you wake up in the middle of the night or have trouble falling asleep after taking it. You’ll also need to be able to dedicate at least 7 hours to sleep in order to take Quviviq.
6. Can Quviviq be taken long term?
Generally, yes. Many other sleep medications are limited to short-term use. But Quviviq appears to be safe and effective when taken for up to 1 year.
One study looked at people taking Quviviq every night for a total of 12 months. During this time, people taking Quviviq were able to maintain improved sleep. They also had similar side effect rates compared with those who didn’t take it (placebo group). And side effects such as withdrawal and rebound insomnia were not seen with Quviviq.
Talk to your healthcare team if you need help managing your sleep for longer than 12 months after starting Quviviq. They can help you weigh the benefits and potential risks of taking Quviviq long term.
It’s also a good idea to work on your sleep hygiene while you’re taking Quviviq. This includes establishing a regular sleep schedule, avoiding alcohol and caffeine before bedtime, and getting enough exercise during the day.
7. Does Quviviq cause weight gain?
So far, Quviviq doesn’t seem to cause weight gain. In fact, researchers have looked at ORAs as potential weight-loss medications. That’s because along with wakefulness, orexin is also involved in appetite regulation and energy balance in the body.
Keep in mind that other factors, such as poor sleep, can cause weight gain. Not getting enough sleep may increase your appetite and make you more likely to eat high-calorie foods. If any body weight changes happen while you’re taking Quviviq, talk to your prescriber if the changes are concerning to you.
How to save on Quviviq
There are ways to save on Quviviq, which is available as a brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you navigate between GoodRx coupons and copay savings cards to save money on your prescription.
Save with GoodRx: Anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can use GoodRx to purchase a 30-day supply of Quviviq at an exclusive cash price of $135.
Save with a copay savings card: If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $0 for Quviviq using a savings card from the manufacturer. Refills may cost as little as $25.
The bottom line
Quviviq (daridorexant) is an orexin receptor antagonist used to treat insomnia. It’s not a benzodiazepine, but both Quviviq and benzodiazepines are controlled substances.
Quviviq should be taken within 30 minutes of going to bed. And you should only take it if you can dedicate at least the next 7 hours to sleep. Quviviq doesn’t seem to cause weight gain. But it can make you too sleepy to safely drive the next day.
Studies show that Quviviq is safe to take every night for at least 12 months. Talk to your healthcare team if you think you may need to take it for longer than that.
Why trust our experts?
References
Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.). Drug scheduling.
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Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (2023). Quviviq- daridorexant tablet, film coated [package insert].
Inutsuka, A., et al. (2013). The physiological role of orexin/hypocretin neurons in the regulation of sleep/wakefulness and neuroendocrine functions. Frontiers in Endocrinology.
Kunz, D., et al. (2022). Long-term safety and tolerability of daridorexant in patients with insomnia disorder. CNS Drugs
Mignot, E., et al. (2022). Safety and efficacy of daridorexant in patients with insomnia disorder: Results from two multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 trials. The Lancet.
Mogavero, M. P., et al. (2023). Rethinking the role of orexin in the regulation of REM sleep and appetite. Nutrients.
Muehlan, C., et al. (2023). The orexin story and orexin receptor antagonists for the treatment of insomnia. Journal of Sleep Research.
Niet, T., et al. (2023). Daridorexant in insomnia disorder: A profile of its use. CNS Drugs.
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