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Prescription sleep treatment
QUVIVIQ®
Prescription treatment for adults
with long-term insomnia
with long-term insomnia
GPhC-Regulated PharmacyRegistered with the General Pharmaceutical Council
100% UK-Licensed PrescriptionsAll medicines hold an MHRA licence
Fast & Discreet DeliverySent in plain, unbranded packaging
Sleep Help · Insomnia
QUVIVIQ® (daridorexant)
£84.99£69.98Save £15.01
CategorySleep Help (Insomnia)
FormTablet · 30 tablets
ActiveDaridorexant
25mg50mg
✓ UK-registered pharmacy✓ Discreet Royal Mail delivery✓ Pharmacist-reviewed
How it works
QUVIVIQ® is a sleep treatment for adults with long-term insomnia. It works differently from traditional sleeping tablets by reducing the brain's wakefulness signals, helping sleep to occur more naturally.
QUVIVIQ® is a dual orexin receptor antagonist (DORA). Rather than sedating the whole brain like Z-drugs or benzodiazepines, it blocks the orexin "wake" signal (OX1R and OX2R) — a precision switch, not a sledgehammer — so your own sleep can take over. Taken 30 minutes before bedtime.
lifestyle — woman waking rested
Targets the orexin system
Blocks the wake-promoting orexin receptors.
Reduces wake signals
Helps you fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer.
Once nightly
One tablet 30 minutes before bed. Licensed for adults with insomnia of at least 3 months.
Is QUVIVIQ® right for you?
QUVIVIQ® is a prescription treatment for ongoing insomnia — not for the occasional bad night. A quick check before you start your consultation.
Check your eligibility- ✓ You are an adult (18+) living in the UK.
- ✓ Your insomnia has lasted for 3 months or longer.
- ✓ Your lack of sleep significantly impacts your daytime energy and functioning.
The Cuva Health treatment timeline
Nights 1–7
Take 50mg nightly within 30 minutes of bedtime, allowing at least 7 hours for sleep. Most people start to notice changes in how quickly they fall asleep within the first week. Take on an empty-ish stomach (a large meal can delay how fast it works) and avoid grapefruit and alcohol.
The clinical evidence
What the clinical evidence shows
In two Phase 3 trials (Mignot et al., Lancet Neurology, 2022), daridorexant 50mg improved how quickly people fell asleep, how long they stayed asleep, and — crucially — how they functioned the next day, with data over 12 months.
~22.8 min
Less time awake during the night (WASO) vs placebo, month 1
Faster
Reduced time to fall asleep (LPS) vs placebo
Better days
Improved daytime functioning (IDSIQ) — not just night-time sleep
Wake After Sleep Onset (WASO): extra time not spent awake during the night versus placebo — daridorexant 50mg (scale 0–30 min)
Month 1
Month 3
Source: Mignot E et al., Lancet Neurology, 2022. LS-mean difference vs placebo. Individual results vary.
QUVIVIQ vs traditional sleeping tablets
An honest comparison with Z-drugs (zopiclone, zolpidem) and benzodiazepines.
| QUVIVIQ (daridorexant) | Z-drugs / benzodiazepines | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Blocks the brain's wake signal (orexin) | Broadly sedates the brain (GABA) |
| Intended use | Longer-term chronic insomnia | Short-term only |
| Dependence / tolerance | None shown in studies; no rebound | Higher risk |
| Next-day grogginess | Less | More |
| Sleep pattern | Largely preserved | Often altered (less REM) |
| UK status | Prescription-only medicine | Controlled drugs |
How long is it designed to be used?
Weeks of recommended use — the clearest difference between a short-term sedative and a long-term treatment.
Zopiclone (Z-drug)
QUVIVIQ (daridorexant)
QUVIVIQ is reviewed at 3 months and continued only if effective. Always follow your prescriber's advice.
Safety at a glance
How often side effects occur, by frequency band. Most are mild and ease as your body adjusts.
Commonup to 1 in 10 people
Headache · excessive sleepiness · dizziness · tiredness · nausea
Less commonup to 1 in 100 people
Sleep paralysis · hallucinations when falling asleep or waking
Do not drive or use machinery for at least 9 hours after a dose, especially in the first 5 days. Report side effects via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme: yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk.
Why choose Cuva Health?
UK-regulated prescribing
Fast online consultation
Discreet delivery
Human support via WhatsApp
Frequently AskedQuestions
What is QUVIVIQ®?–
QUVIVIQ® contains the active substance daridorexant. It is a prescription-only medicine used to treat adult patients who suffer from chronic or long-term insomnia that has lasted for at least 3 months and significantly impacts their daytime functioning.
How does QUVIVIQ® work differently from traditional sleeping pills?+
Unlike traditional sedatives (Z-drugs or benzodiazepines) that broadly sedate the whole brain by targeting GABA receptors, QUVIVIQ® is a dual orexin receptor antagonist (DORA). It works by specifically blocking the brain's "wake" signals, allowing sleep to occur more naturally.
Is QUVIVIQ® addictive, and will I experience withdrawal symptoms?+
No. Clinical trials over 12 months showed no evidence of physical dependence, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, or rebound insomnia upon stopping the treatment. This means it can be stopped safely without the need to gradually reduce or taper the dose.
Am I eligible to start a QUVIVIQ® treatment?+
You may be eligible if you are an adult (18+) living in the UK, your insomnia is chronic (lasting 3 months or longer), and it is severely disrupting your daytime productivity and well-being. Eligibility is always subject to an online clinical consultation and review by our pharmacists.
How and when should I take my dose?+
The recommended dose is usually one 50mg tablet taken nightly within 30 minutes of your planned bedtime. It is essential that you ensure a window of at least 7 hours remains available for sleep after taking the tablet.
Can I take QUVIVIQ® with food or after a heavy meal?+
It is best taken on an empty or light stomach. Taking QUVIVIQ® with or shortly after a large, heavy, or high-fat meal can delay its absorption, meaning it will take longer to kick in and help you fall asleep.
Are there any dietary restrictions, such as grapefruit or alcohol?+
Yes. You must completely avoid drinking alcohol while taking QUVIVIQ®, as it compounds the sedative effects. Additionally, you should avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice, as it can dangerously alter the concentration of the drug in your body.
What should I do if I miss a nightly dose?+
If you wake up in the middle of the night and realize you missed your dose, skip it entirely if you no longer have a full 7 hours left to sleep. Taking it too late can cause next-day morning drowsiness. Just take your regular dose the following night.
Does QUVIVIQ® cause morning grogginess or affect driving safety?+
QUVIVIQ® causes significantly less next-day drowsiness compared to traditional sleeping tablets. However, to ensure absolute safety, do not drive, operate machinery, or perform hazardous tasks for at least 9 hours after taking your dose, particularly during the first 5 days of starting treatment.
How long can I continue this treatment, and when is it reviewed?+
Your treatment course will be clinically reviewed after 3 months. If QUVIVIQ® is effectively improving your sleep and daytime functioning, it can be extended up to approximately 12 months under regular professional supervision. If it is not showing sufficient benefit at the 3-month mark, it should be discontinued.