Key takeaways

  • Quviviq is a prescription drug used to treat insomnia in adults, helping with trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.
  • Common side effects of Quviviq include fatigue (low energy), headache, and sleepiness during the day after you take it.
  • Serious side effects, though rare, can include sleep paralysis, hallucinations, and excessive sleepiness.

Quviviq is used in adults to treat insomnia.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Quviviq can cause. To learn more about Quviviq, including its uses, dosage, and cost, read this Quviviq overview.

Quviviq can cause certain side effects, some more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. Talk with your doctor if side effects do not go away, get worse, or become too difficult to tolerate.

Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

  • fatigue (low energy)
  • headache
  • sleepiness during the day after you take Quviviq

For more information about some of these side effects, see “Tips for managing side effects.”

Mild side effects that have been reported with this drug include:

  • fatigue
  • dizziness
  • nausea and vomiting
  • sleepiness during the day after you take Quviviq
  • headache

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary, and some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not stop taking Quviviq unless your doctor recommends it.

Quviviq may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Quviviq may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Quviviq’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Quviviq, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported with this drug include:

To learn more about some of these side effects, see the “Tips for managing side effects” section.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Quviviq, visit MedWatch.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Quviviq can cause an allergic reaction.

This side effect wasn’t reported in studies, but it was reported after Quviviq was approved for use.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking Quviviq.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Quviviq, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

There may be things you can do to help make certain Quviviq side effects more manageable. If you have ongoing, worsening, or bothersome side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can suggest tips for managing them or recommend other available treatment options for your condition.

Decreased alertness, excessive sleepiness, and slowed reaction time the day after taking Quviviq

This drug is taken up to 30 minutes before you go to sleep at night. Taking Quviviq can cause decreased alertness, excessive sleepiness, and slowed reaction time the day after taking it.

These side effects can happen because Quviviq is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. This means the drug slows down your brain activity, which can cause sleepiness and lower your ability to react quickly and think clearly. Having these side effects could make driving dangerous.

Let your doctor know all the medications you take before starting Quviviq. If you take other CNS depressants, they may recommend a treatment other than Quviviq for your insomnia.

If your doctor prescribes Quviviq for you, they’ll likely recommend that you avoid drinking alcohol (if you drink) while taking it.

It’s important to allow at least 7 hours that you can devote to sleep after taking Quviviq. This can reduce your risk of excessive sleepiness, decreased alertness, and slowed reaction time the day after taking it.

It’s recommended that you do not drive or perform activities that require full alertness the next day if you:

  • take more Quviviq than your doctor recommends
  • don’t get at least 7 hours of sleep after taking Quviviq

Unusual sleep behaviors

It’s possible to have unusual sleep behavior during treatment with Quviviq. Unusual sleep behavior can include engaging in certain activities while not fully awake. People usually don’t remember having performed these activities the next day. Examples of reported activities include:

  • preparing and eating food
  • making phone calls
  • sleepwalking
  • driving a vehicle
  • having sex

This side effect can occur at any time during your Quviviq treatment. And it can happen whether or not you’ve taken other sleep medications in the past.

If you or someone else in your household notices that you have unusual sleep behavior while taking Quviviq, let your doctor know right away. They’ll likely have you stop taking this drug and recommend a different treatment option. This is because certain unusual sleep behaviors can be dangerous and may lead to serious accidents.

Headache

You may have headaches while taking Quviviq. This is the most commonly reported side effect in the drug’s studies. Headaches with Quviviq can include:

Headaches caused by Quviviq are usually mild and don’t require medical attention. In many cases, taking an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), can help.

Keep in mind that lack of sleep may also trigger migraine or tension headaches in some people. It’s important to allow at least 7 hours to devote to sleep while you’re taking Quviviq. Getting enough sleep could lower your risk of headache while taking this drug.

If your headaches are severe or don’t go away with OTC pain relievers, talk with your doctor. They can recommend prescription drugs to help relieve migraine, tension, or severe headaches.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Quviviq treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Taking notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Quviviq affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Get answers to some commonly asked questions about Quviviq’s side effects.

Is Quviviq safe for older adults?

Yes, Quviviq is approved to treat insomnia (trouble sleeping) in adults of all ages, including older adults (ages 65 years and older).

But it’s important to keep in mind that Quviviq can cause daytime sleepiness and fatigue (low energy), which can increase the risk of falls. The risk of this side effect is higher in older adults.

Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about the safety of taking Quviviq based on your age.

Can Quviviq cause long-term side effects?

No, Quviviq doesn’t usually cause long-term side effects. (These are side effects that may start during treatment and continue for a long time, even after treatment ends. They may also start after you’ve taken a drug for a long time or after you stop taking it.)

It’s possible to have side effects from Quviviq at any time during your treatment. But most should go away when you stop taking the drug or up to a few days later.

If you have questions about potential long-term side effects with Quviviq, talk with your doctor.

Is Quviviq addictive?

Unlike many other sleeping medications, there is no evidence that Quviviq is addictive. You can safely stop taking the medication without slowly reducing the dosage first.

However, Quviviq contains the active ingredient daridorexant, which is a controlled substance. This means that it has the potential for misuse.

Misuse is when a drug is taken or used differently than how your doctor prescribes it. It also means that the United States government, doctors, and pharmacists pay close attention to how the drug is prescribed and used.

Does Quviviq interact with any other drugs?

Taking Quviviq with other CNS depressants may increase your risk of certain side effects, such as decreased alertness, daytime sleepiness, and reduced reaction times. Examples of CNS depressants include:

Before taking Quviviq, discuss your health history with your doctor. Quviviq may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.