Quviviq vs. Belsomra: 5 Things to Know When Comparing These Insomnia Medications
Quviviq and Belsomra are insomnia medications that work in similar ways. Learn about Quviviq versus Belsomra in this guide.
Quviviq
Used for Insomnia
Used for Insomnia
Quviviq (daridorexant) is a sleeping pill for adults who have trouble falling or staying asleep (insomnia). It works as an orexin antagonist. Quviviq (daridorexant) is a tablet that's taken once every night, about 30 minutes before bedtime. You should only take it if you can get at least 7 hours of sleep before waking up the next day. This medication can cause side effects like headache and daytime sleepiness. It's a controlled substance because it has a potential risk of misuse.
What is Quviviq (daridorexant)?
What is Quviviq (daridorexant) used for?
- Trouble falling or staying asleep (insomnia)
How Quviviq (daridorexant) works
Quviviq (daridorexant) is an orexin antagonist. Unlike some other insomnia medications that sedate the brain, Quviviq (daridorexant) is thought to turn down overactive wake signals, one of the biological causes of insomnia. This can help you fall asleep and stay asleep.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Quviviq |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Orexin receptor antagonist |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Schedule IV |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
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Risks and warnings for Quviviq (daridorexant)
Quviviq (daridorexant) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Daytime sleepiness
- Risk factors: Taking a higher-than-recommended dose | Age 65 years or older | Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications that make you sleepy or slow your body down | Also taking other sleep medications | Getting less than 7 hours of sleep after taking Quviviq (daridorexant)
Quviviq (daridorexant) can make you sleepy the next day. It can also make it harder to think clearly, focus, or react quickly. These side effects might be more likely if you're 65 or older and can raise the risk of falls. The risk is also higher if you drink alcohol or take other medications that make you sleepy. It can also happen if you get less than 7 hours of sleep after taking Quviviq (daridorexant).
Don't drive or use heavy machinery until you know how Quviviq (daridorexant) affects you. In some people, these side effects can last for up to several days after the last dose.
Worsening depression or suicidal thoughts
- Risk factors: History of depression
Some people with depression who take sleep medications like Quviviq (daridorexant) might have worse depression. Some have also had thoughts of suicide or suicidal actions.
Before starting Quviviq (daridorexant), your prescriber will check your risk for depression and self-harm. They'll continue to check on you during follow-up visits.
Tell your care team right away if you or your loved ones notice new or worsening depression, anxiety, or unusual changes in mood or behavior. If you have thoughts of hurting yourself, get medical help right away. You can also call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Sleep paralysis, hallucinations, and leg weakness
Some people who take Quviviq (daridorexant) can have sleep paralysis. When this happens, you can't move or speak for a few minutes as you're waking up.
Some people have also had hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't real). Others have had leg weakness that can last from a few seconds to a few minutes. This can happen during the day or at night.
Tell your prescriber if you or your loved ones notice any of these symptoms while you're taking Quviviq (daridorexant).
Unusual sleep behaviors
Some people who take sleep medications like Quviviq (daridorexant) can have unusual sleep behaviors. This can include sleepwalking or sleep driving. People have also done things like cooking, eating, talking on the phone, or having sex without being fully awake. They often don't remember it the next morning.
These unusual sleep behaviors can happen at any time while taking Quviviq (daridorexant). If this happens to you, stop taking this medication right away and talk to your prescriber.
Caution use in people with breathing problems
- Risk factors: History of breathing problems (e.g., sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD)
Before starting Quviviq (daridorexant), tell your prescriber if you have any breathing problems. This includes obstructive sleep apnea or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It's not known if Quviviq (daridorexant) can make these breathing issues worse. Your prescriber can help decide if Quviviq (daridorexant) is a safe choice for you.
Side effects of Quviviq (daridorexant)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Headache (up to 7%)
- Sleepiness or fatigue (up to 6%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Dizziness
- Nausea
Quviviq (daridorexant) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Excessive sleepiness: daytime sleepiness, trouble focusing or staying alert
- Depression: anxiety, trouble sleeping, feeling angry or irritated, restlessness
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- Unusual sleep behaviors: sleepwalking; sleep-driving; cooking, eating, talking, or having sex without being fully awake; sleep paralysis (can't move or talk for a short time while waking up)
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The following Quviviq (daridorexant) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions or angioedema—skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs, trouble swallowing or breathing
- CNS depression—slow or shallow breathing, shortness of breath, feeling faint, dizziness, confusion, trouble staying awake
- Mood and behavior changes—anxiety, nervousness, confusion, hallucinations, irritability, hostility, thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
- Sudden and temporary muscle weakness
- Unable to move or speak for several minutes upon waking or going to sleep
- Unusual sleep behaviors or activities you do not remember such as driving, eating, or sexual activity
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Drowsiness the day after use
- Fatigue
- Headache
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Pros and cons of Quviviq (daridorexant)
Pros
- Taken once a day
- Can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer
- Hasn't been shown to cause physical dependence like some other sleep medications
Cons
- Should only take if you plan to sleep for at least 7 hours
- Can make you feel sleepy the next day
- Hasn't been studied in children
Pharmacist tips for Quviviq (daridorexant)
- Take Quviviq (daridorexant) every night unless your prescriber tells you otherwise. This is how the medication was taken in studies. If you're not sure how often to take Quviviq (daridorexant), ask your prescriber.
- Take Quviviq (daridorexant) 30 minutes before bedtime. Taking it too far away from your bedtime can make you very sleepy when you're not ready for bed. This can raise your risk of falls when the effects of the medication kick in.
- Only take Quviviq (daridorexant) if you plan to sleep for at least 7 hours. If you know you can't get that much sleep, skip your dose that night. If you wake up in the middle of the night, don't take another dose. Otherwise, you might feel very sleepy the next day.
- If you've been taking Quviviq (daridorexant) for 7 to 10 days and you still aren't sleeping well, talk to your prescriber. Sometimes, a hard time sleeping can be a sign of a different health issue. Your prescriber can help figure out if you need a different treatment to improve your sleep.
- You can take Quviviq (daridorexant) with or without food. But be aware that high-fat, high-calorie meals can make it take longer to start working. Try to take the medication the same way each day to help it work consistently for you.
- Quviviq (daridorexant) can make you feel sleepy the next day. Don't drive or do anything that needs your full attention until you know how the medication affects you.
- Don't drink alcohol while taking Quviviq (daridorexant). Also, don't take other medications that make you sleepy unless your prescriber says it's safe. Taking them together can you feel even sleepier.
- Don't eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking Quviviq (daridorexant). Grapefruit can raise the amount of Quviviq (daridorexant) in your body. This can make side effects more likely.
- Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all the medications and supplements you take. Don't start any new medications without talking to your care team first. Quviviq (daridorexant) can interact with many medications. Some include certain calcium channel blockers and statins. Some interactions can raise the risk of side effects. And others can make Quviviq (daridorexant) work less well. Your care team can help make sure your medications are safe to take together.
- If you're pregnant or become pregnant while taking Quviviq (daridorexant): Tell your prescriber. They can talk to you about the risks and benefits. It's not known if Quviviq (daridorexant) is safe during pregnancy. Your prescriber can help sign you up into the medication's pregnancy registry. This helps researchers learn more about how safe Quviviq (daridorexant) is during pregnancy.
- If you plan to breastfeed: Talk to your prescriber. Small amounts of Quviviq (daridorexant) can pass into breast milk, but it's not known what effect this has on breastfed babies. If you breastfeed while taking this medication, watch if your baby becomes too sleepy. To be safe, ask your prescriber or a lactation expert about safe feeding options.
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Quviviq (daridorexant) dosage
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Typical dosage for Quviviq (daridorexant)
The typical dose is 25 mg to 50 mg by mouth once a night, within 30 minutes of going to bed.
Some people should only take 25 mg each night. This includes people with moderate liver problems or those who take certain medications that can interact with Quviviq (daridorexant).
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How much does Quviviq (daridorexant) cost?
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Quviviq (brand)
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Quviviq (daridorexant) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Quviviq (daridorexant) will not be safe for you to take.
- Narcolepsy
- Allergic to Quviviq (daridorexant) or any of its ingredients
What are alternatives to Quviviq (daridorexant)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Quviviq (daridorexant). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Quviviq (daridorexant)
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The starting dose for Quviviq is 25 mg taken 30 minutes before bedtime, with a maximum dose of 50 mg. Consult our Quviviq dosage guide for best practices.
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