Quviviq (daridorexant) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for insomnia in adults. Quviviq comes as a tablet that’s typically taken once per day. The dosage can vary depending on the severity of your condition and other factors.
Quviviq belongs to a drug class called dual orexin receptor antagonists. Quviviq isn’t available in a generic version.
Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Quviviq, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Quviviq, see this article.
Note: This article describes typical dosages for Quviviq provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Quviviq, always follow the dosage your doctor prescribes.
Read on for details about Quviviq’s dosage for insomnia.
Quviviq form
Quviviq comes as an oral tablet.
Quviviq strengths
Quviviq comes in two strengths:
- 25 milligrams (mg)
- 50 mg
Typical dosages
Typically, your doctor will prescribe a low dosage at the start of treatment. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for insomnia
Quviviq’s starting dosage for insomnia is 25 mg once per day. The maximum dosage is 50 mg once per day.
You should take Quviviq within 30 minutes of bedtime when you have at least 7 hours available to sleep.
Long-term treatment
Quviviq is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Quviviq is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your Quviviq dosage.
The Quviviq dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:
- the severity of the condition you’re taking Quviviq to treat
- how well your liver is working
- other medications you may take
Other medical conditions you have can also affect your Quviviq dosage.
Dosage adjustments
Your doctor may lower your Quviviq dosage if you have liver problems. They may also lower it if you take certain medications that can affect Quviviq. For details about drug interactions with Quviviq, see the “Quviviq interactions” section in this article.
Quviviq comes as a tablet that you’ll swallow. You’ll take Quviviq within 30 minutes of bedtime. Be sure to take your dose at least 7 hours before you need to wake up. This is because of how Quviviq works. (To learn more, view the “How Quviviq works” section in this article.)
You should take Quviviq on an empty stomach, at least 2 hours after a meal. This helps the drug work effectively.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERSSome pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.
If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Quviviq in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.
To work effectively for insomnia, Quviviq should be taken within 30 minutes of bedtime. If you miss a dose, take it only if you have 7 hours before you need to wake up.
To help make sure that you don’t miss a dose, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your bathroom mirror or bedside table. You could also download a reminder app on your phone.
Quviviq is a Schedule IV controlled substance* due to the risk of misuse. (With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed.) However, there were no reports of Quviviq misuse by people who took the drug for 12 months in a clinical trial.
Your risk of misuse with Quviviq may be higher if you’ve ever had substance use disorder. So if you’ve ever experienced this condition, be sure to tell your doctor. They’ll help determine whether Quviviq is right for you.
* A controlled substance is a drug the government regulates due to the risk of dependence or misuse. (With dependence, your body needs the drug to function as usual.)
If you take more Quviviq than your doctor prescribes, you may develop serious side effects. For information about side effects with Quviviq, see this article.
It’s important that you do not take more Quviviq than your doctor advises.
Symptoms of an overdose
Quviviq overdose symptoms can include:
- excessive sleepiness
- sleep paralysis
- muscle weakness
- attention difficulties
- constipation
- fatigue
- symptoms of cataplexy (sudden muscle weakness)
- headache
If you take more than the recommended amount of Quviviq
Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Quviviq. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are some frequently asked questions about Quviviq.
Quviviq vs. Ambien: Are the drug’s dosages similar?
The forms and how often you take each drug are similar. Quviviq and Ambien (zolpidem tartrate) are both oral tablets taken once per day.
Quviviq’s manufacturer recommends that you take the drug within 30 minutes of bedtime and at least 7 hours before you need to wake up. Meanwhile, Ambien’s manufacturer recommends that you take the drug immediately before bedtime and at least 7 to 8 hours before you need to wake up.
The dose in milligrams (mg) for each drug differs because they have different active ingredients. Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you.
To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.
Is there a 100-mg dosage of Quviviq?
No, this is not the recommended dosage of Quviviq. The maximum dosage is 50 mg, taken once per day.
Typically, Quviviq’s starting dosage for insomnia is 25 mg once per day. Then, your doctor may increase your dosage to 50 mg of Quviviq once per day.
However, your doctor may prescribe a lower dosage of Quviviq if you have liver problems or if you take certain medications that can interact with Quviviq. Your doctor will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about your dosage of Quviviq.
The dosages in this article are typical dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Quviviq for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Always follow the dosage that your doctor prescribes.
As with any drug, never change your dosage of Quviviq without your doctor’s recommendation. If you have questions about the dosage of Quviviq that’s best for you, talk with your doctor.
Besides learning about dosage, you may want other information about Quviviq. These additional articles might be helpful:
- More about Quviviq: For information about other aspects of Quviviq, refer to this article.
- Side effects: To learn about the side effects of Quviviq, see this article. You can also look at the Quviviq prescribing information.
- Cost: If you’d like to learn about Quviviq and cost, see this article.
- Details about your condition: For details about insomnia, see our science of sleep hub.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.