Buy Quviviq Online. No Consultation Fee, Free Next-Day Delivery
Get prescribed Quviviq for Insomnia by a UK clinician through a free video consultation*. No questionnaires, no hidden fees. You only pay for your medication if approved.
Other Related Treatments
MEDICAL INFORMATION
Quviviq Key Facts
About Quviviq
Quviviq is a prescription drug containing daridorexant, a dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs), as its active ingredient. It is a new treatment for chronic insomnia (a common sleep disorder), recently approved by the National Institute of Care and Excellence (NICE) in the UK. The Food and Drug Administration in the U.S. (FDA) approved Quviviq in January 2022.
Quviviq is approved in the U.S. for:
- Sleep onset insomnia (difficulty falling asleep)
- Sleep maintenance insomnia (difficulty staying asleep)
Quviviq works by blocking orexin receptors, which prevents it from signalling your brain to stay awake, helping you fall asleep sooner and stay asleep longer. Quviviq is classed as a controlled substance due to its potential for misuse and risk of dependence.
NowPatient offers Quviviq as a treatment for insomnia only, following an online consultation with a prescribing clinician.
Key facts of Quviviq
- For the treatment of chronic insomnia
- Quviviq starts working within 30 minutes
- Quviviq has some common side effects which include headaches and nausea
- It can be dangerous if you take Quviviq with certain medications. If you’re not sure if it is safe, discuss this with the prescribing clinician
Who is Quviviq not suitable for?
Quviviq may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to the prescribing clinician before taking Quviviq if you:
- Are allergic to the active ingredient daridorexant or any of the inactive ingredients
- Have narcolepsy
- Have cataplexy
- Have liver problems
- Have depression or suicidal thoughts
- Have breathing problems, such as obstructive sleep apnea
How and where to get Quviviq?
You can buy Quviviq safely and securely from NowPatient. You can start a consultation today for free and if you qualify for treatment, you only pay for the cost of the medication. Delivery is made to your home or office from our registered pharmacy.
Our service is certified, safe and effective, and we only ever treat conditions. If you book a consultation with a prescribing clinician for the treatment of insomnia, you can discuss if Quviviq is a suitable treatment option for you.
At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment plan is suitable for you. If it is, the clinician will issue you with a prescription which can then be ordered, paid for and delivered directly to your chosen address by NowPatient.
Dosage and strength for Quviviq for insomnia
Quviviq is available as an oral tablet. It’s available in two strengths, 25 mg and 50 mg.
Information about how to take Quviviq for insomnia
Take Quviviq within 30 minutes before going to bed and at least 7 hours before you plan to wake up, otherwise it may make you feel sleepy the next day. Missing doses of Quviviq may make the drug less effective, so make sure you take Quviviq every night.
Your recommended dose of Quviviq will depend on the severity of your insomnia, the health of your liver and any other medications you take. You are advised to not take Quviviq more than once each night and not to increase your dosage without speaking to your doctor first.
Read the prescribing information provided in your medication guide or speak to a healthcare provider for further information.
What happens if you take too much Quviviq?
If you take more than prescribed, then it can lead to some unpleasant side effects. You should talk to your doctor or reach out to one of our prescribing clinicians, if you have taken too much Quviviq and you experience any of the following side effects:
What are the side effects of Quviviq?
In clinical trials, when compared to placebo, possible side effects of Quviviq are split into common and serious.
Common side effects include:
- Headache, dizziness, nausea
- Sleepiness the next day
- Muscle weakness
- Reduced mental alertness
- Tiredness
- Vomiting
Serious side effects include:
- Decreased alertness and responsiveness
- Sleep paralysis
- Hallucinations
- Excessive sleepiness
- Complex sleep behaviors such as sleepwalking, having sex, eating or cooking
- Worsening depression
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
If you experience any serious side effects, you should contact NHS 111.
If you experience a serious allergic reaction with the signs shown below you should contact emergency services on 999.
- Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- You’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
- Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
- Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- Someone faints and cannot be woken up
Always report adverse effects to the MHRA yellow card reporting system. You can read more about this here How and where do I report side effects of my medication? – NowPatient
Information about taking Quviviq at the same time as other medications or herbal supplements
There is some evidence to suggest there are drug interactions between herbal supplements and Quviviq. In any event, you should let your prescribing clinician know if you are taking herbal supplements or prescription drugs, such as:
- Other central nervous system (CNS) depressants such as benzodiazepines, muscle relaxers, opioids or sedatives such as zolpidem
- CYP3A4 inhibitors such as clarithromycin, itraconazole, and ritonavir
- CYP3A4 inducers such as efavirenz, carbamazepine, phenytoin and rifampin
- St. John’s wort
Why might Quviviq not work for insomnia?
There is the possibility Quviviq may stop working if your body develops a tolerance to the medication, meaning you will have to use higher doses to get the same effect.
Can Quviviq taken for insomnia be taken long term?
Quviviq is recommended for long-term treatment. Speak to a healthcare professional for further information.
Is there a herbal Quviviq?
No. Herbal Quviviq does not exist. If you have been marketed such a formulation, it may be fake.
Can women use Quviviq?
Women can take Quviviq for the treatment of insomnia. However, it is not known if it safe to take during pregnancy or when breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor before taking Quviviq if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Should I avoid any particular food or drink when taking Quviviq?
You can eat and drink normally when taking Quviviq. However, you should not drink alcohol while taking Quviviq as this may increase your risk of side effects, such as sleepiness and decreased mental alertness. Also, grapefruit and grapefruit juice may also increase your risk of side effects.
Keep in mind also, that it is better to take Quviviq without food. Food may delay the effects of Quviviq on your body and take longer for Quviviq to help you fall asleep.
What lifestyle changes can I make to help me with insomnia?
- Improve your sleep hygiene – follow a sleep schedule and avoid bright screens before bed
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine at bedtime
Alternatives to Quviviq
Alternatives for the treatment of insomnia include medication such as melatonin and zolpidem.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information on this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.
Related Articles
FAQs
Answers to Popular Questions About Quviviq
What is Quviviq?
Quviviq is a prescription medication containing daridorexant, a dual orexin receptor antagonist (DORA) used for the treatment of insomnia in adults. It is available as 25 mg and 50 mg film-coated tablets. Quviviq works differently from traditional sleep medications — instead of sedating the brain, it blocks the wakefulness-promoting orexin signalling system. It is manufactured by Idorsia and has been approved in the UK for insomnia characterised by difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep. NICE has recommended Quviviq as an option for treating insomnia.
How does Quviviq work?
Quviviq blocks both orexin receptors (OX1R and OX2R) in the brain. Orexins (also called hypocretins) are neuropeptides that promote wakefulness and alertness. In insomnia, the orexin system may be overactive, keeping the brain in a wakeful state. By blocking orexin receptors, Quviviq reduces the wakefulness drive, allowing the natural sleep processes to take over. This mechanism is fundamentally different from benzodiazepines, Z-drugs, or antihistamines, which work by broadly sedating the brain.
Is Quviviq better than zopiclone or other sleeping tablets?
Quviviq offers several advantages over traditional sleep medications. Unlike benzodiazepines and Z-drugs (zopiclone, zolpidem), Quviviq has a lower risk of physical dependence, tolerance, and next-day impairment. Clinical trials showed improved sleep onset, sleep maintenance, and daytime functioning. NICE has recommended Quviviq as an option for adults with insomnia. However, individual responses vary, and your prescriber will consider your full medical history and previous treatments when recommending the most suitable option.
How do I take Quviviq?
Take one Quviviq tablet (25 mg or 50 mg as prescribed) within 30 minutes of going to bed. The recommended dose is 50 mg for most adults; 25 mg for patients taking moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors. Swallow the tablet whole with water. Do not take Quviviq unless you can remain in bed for at least 7 hours afterwards, as next-morning drowsiness may impair alertness. Taking Quviviq with or just after a high-fat meal may delay its onset of action.
How long can I take Quviviq for?
Quviviq can be used for longer periods than some traditional sleep medications, as it has a lower risk of dependence and tolerance. Your prescriber should review your treatment periodically (NICE recommends regular review) to assess ongoing effectiveness and whether continued treatment is appropriate. Non-pharmacological approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) should be considered alongside or as an alternative to long-term medication.
What are the side effects of Quviviq?
Common side effects (affecting 1 in 10 to 1 in 100 people) include headache, somnolence (drowsiness, including next-morning drowsiness), fatigue, dizziness, and nausea. Sleep paralysis and hypnagogic hallucinations (vivid sensations when falling asleep) have been reported uncommonly. These are related to the orexin-blocking mechanism. Quviviq does not appear to cause rebound insomnia on discontinuation, which is a significant advantage over benzodiazepines and Z-drugs.
Does Quviviq cause dependence?
Clinical trial data indicate that Quviviq has a low potential for physical dependence and abuse compared to benzodiazepines and Z-drugs. No significant withdrawal effects or rebound insomnia were observed on discontinuation in clinical studies. This is one of the key advantages of the orexin receptor antagonist mechanism. However, any sleep medication should be used as part of a comprehensive insomnia management plan that includes sleep hygiene measures and, where appropriate, CBT-I.
Who should not take Quviviq?
Quviviq should not be used in patients with narcolepsy (as it blocks the wakefulness system that is already impaired in narcolepsy). It is contraindicated with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin). Caution is advised in patients with severe hepatic impairment, a history of substance abuse, or depression with suicidal ideation. Quviviq should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Do not drive or operate machinery the morning after taking Quviviq until you are sure you are alert.
Can I drink alcohol with Quviviq?
Alcohol should be avoided while taking Quviviq. Alcohol enhances the CNS depressant effects and may increase drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired alertness the next day. The combination of alcohol and Quviviq may increase the risk of complex sleep behaviours. For the best therapeutic outcomes, avoid alcohol in the evening.
How can I get Quviviq?
Quviviq is available on NHS prescription following NICE approval. It can be prescribed by your GP, a sleep specialist, or through online prescribing services like NowPatient. Your prescriber will assess your insomnia, rule out underlying causes, and determine whether Quviviq is the most appropriate treatment.
Experienced a Side Effect?
Report to Yellow Card (UK) or MedWatch (US)
Report to
OUR CUSTOMERS VIEW
What Customers Love About Our Service
We want everyone to be happy and healthy, that’s what keeps us going. Read what some of them have to say about us.
Medicines Experts
Meet Our Medical Team
We are a broad skilled and passionate group of clinicians with experience of operating in health systems in the United Kingdom & United States. Providing excellent care and advice is at the heart of everything we do. You can read more about our medical team by visiting the medical team page or learn more about how we curate content by visiting our editorial process
