Quviviq Drug Information
Generic name: DARIDOREXANT
Orexin Receptor Antagonist [EPC]
Uses of Quviviq
is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with insomnia, characterized by difficulties with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance . QUVIVIQ is an orexin receptor antagonist indicated for the treatment of adult patients with insomnia, characterized by difficulties with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance.
Dosage & Administration of Quviviq
Recommended Dosage
The recommended dosage range is 25 mg to 50 mg of QUVIVIQ taken orally no more than once per night within 30 minutes of going to bed (with at least 7 hours remaining prior to planned awakening). Time to sleep onset may be delayed if taken with or soon after a meal .
Dosage Recommendations for
Concomitant Use with CYP3A4 Inhibitors or CYP3A4 Inducers Co-administration with Strong CYP3A4 Inhibitors Avoid concomitant use of QUVIVIQ with strong inhibitors of CYP3A4 . Co-administration with Moderate CYP3A4 Inhibitors The recommended dosage of QUVIVIQ is 25 mg no more than once per night when used with moderate inhibitors of CYP3A4 . Co-administration with Strong or Moderate CYP3A4 Inducers Avoid concomitant use of QUVIVIQ with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers .
Dosage Recommendations for Patients with Hepatic Impairment
The maximum recommended dosage in patients with moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score 7–9) is 25 mg of QUVIVIQ no more than once per night . QUVIVIQ is not recommended in patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh score ≥ 10) .
Side Effects of Quviviq
Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The safety of QUVIVIQ was evaluated in three placebo-controlled clinical studies (two 3-month studies of identical design, and a 9-month extension study ). Study 1 evaluated 50 mg and 25 mg doses of QUVIVIQ, while Study 2 evaluated a 25 mg dose and a 10 mg dose of QUVIVIQ. The 10 mg dose is not an approved dose. A total of 1232 patients (including approximately 40% elderly patients ), received QUVIVIQ 50 mg (N = 308); 25 mg (N = 618); or 10 mg (an unapproved dose) (N = 306). A total of 576 patients were treated with QUVIVIQ for at least 6 months and 331 for at least 12 months.
Most Common Adverse Reactions The most common reported adverse reaction (in at least 5% of patients and greater than placebo) during double-blind treatment in Study 1 was headache. Table 1 shows adverse reactions that occurred in at least 2% of patients treated with QUVIVIQ and more frequently than in patients who received placebo in Study 1. Table 1 Adverse Reactions Reported in ≥ 2% of QUVIVIQ-treated Patients and Greater than in Placebo-treated Patients in a 3-Month Placebo-Controlled Study (Study 1) QUVIVIQ QUVIVIQ Placebo 25 mg 50 mg (N=310) (N=308) (N=309) % % % Nervous System Disorders Headache The following terms were combined: Headache includes: headache, tension headache, migraine, migraine with aura, head discomfort Somnolence or fatigue includes: somnolence, sedation, fatigue, hypersomnia, lethargy Dizziness includes: dizziness, vertigo, labyrinthitis Nausea includes: nausea, vomiting, procedural nausea 6 7 5 Somnolence or fatigue 6 5 4 Dizziness 2 3 2 Gastro-intestinal disorders Nausea 0 3 2 Other Adverse Reactions Observed During Clinical Trials (Study 1 and Study 2) Other adverse reactions of < 2% frequency but greater than placebo are shown below. The following do not include adverse reactions 1) for which a drug cause was remote, 2) that were so general as to be uninformative, or 3) that were not considered to have clinically significant implications.
Sleep paralysis was reported in 0.5% and 0.3% of patients receiving QUVIVIQ 25 mg and 50 mg, respectively, compared to no reports for placebo. Hypnagogic and hypnopompic hallucinations were reported in 0.6% of patients receiving QUVIVIQ 25 mg compared to no cases with QUVIVIQ 50 mg or placebo.
Post-Marketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of QUVIVIQ. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Psychiatric disorders : Nightmares or abnormal dreams Immune system disorders: Hypersensitivity (including angioedema, rash, urticaria)
Warnings & Cautions for Quviviq
CNS-Depressant Effects and Daytime Impairment
QUVIVIQ is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant that can impair daytime wakefulness even when used as prescribed. CNS-depressant effects may persist in some patients for up to several days after discontinuing QUVIVIQ. Prescribers should advise patients about the potential for next-day somnolence. Driving ability was impaired in some subjects taking QUVIVIQ 50 mg . The risk of daytime impairment is increased if QUVIVIQ is taken with less than a full night of sleep remaining or if a higher than recommended dose is taken . If QUVIVIQ is taken in these circumstances, caution patients against driving and other activities requiring complete mental alertness.
Co-administration with other CNS depressants (e.g., benzodiazepines, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants, alcohol) increases the risk of CNS depression, which can cause daytime impairment. Dosage adjustments of QUVIVIQ and of concomitant CNS depressants may be necessary when administered together because of potentially additive effects. The use of QUVIVIQ with other drugs to treat insomnia is not recommended.
Advise patients not to consume alcohol in combination with QUVIVIQ because co-administration of QUVIVIQ with alcohol resulted in additive effects on psychomotor performance. Because QUVIVIQ can cause drowsiness, patients, particularly the elderly, are at a higher risk of falls.
Worsening of Depression/Suicidal Ideation Patients with psychiatric disorders, including insomnia, are at
increased risk of suicide. In primarily depressed patients treated with hypnotics, worsening of depression and suicidal thoughts and actions (including completed suicides) have been reported. As with other hypnotics, QUVIVIQ should be administered with caution in patients exhibiting symptoms of depression.
Monitoring of suicide risk and protective measures may be required.
Sleep Paralysis, Hypnagogic/Hypnopompic Hallucinations, and Cataplexy-like Symptoms Sleep paralysis, an inability to
move or speak for up to several minutes during sleep-wake transitions, and hypnagogic/hypnopompic hallucinations, including vivid and disturbing perceptions, can occur with the use of QUVIVIQ . Prescribers should explain the nature of these events to patients when prescribing QUVIVIQ. Symptoms similar to mild cataplexy have been reported with orexin receptor antagonists. Such symptoms can include periods of leg weakness lasting from seconds to a few minutes, can occur either at night or during the day, and may not be associated with an identified triggering event (e.g., laughter or surprise).
Complex Sleep Behaviors Complex sleep behaviors, including sleepwalking, sleep driving, and engaging
in other activities while not fully awake (e.g., preparing and eating food, making phone calls, having sex), have been reported to occur with the use of hypnotics, including orexin receptor antagonists such as QUVIVIQ. These events can occur in hypnotic-naïve as well as in hypnotic-experienced persons. Patients usually do not remember these events. Complex sleep behaviors may occur following the first or any subsequent use of hypnotics, such as QUVIVIQ, with or without the concomitant use of alcohol and other CNS depressants.
Discontinue QUVIVIQ immediately if a patient experiences a complex sleep behavior.
Patients with Compromised Respiratory Function
QUVIVIQ has been studied in mild to severe OSA not using CPAP, and in patients with moderate COPD. The effects of QUVIVIQ on respiratory function should be considered if prescribed to patients with compromised respiratory function. QUVIVIQ has not been studied in patients with mild or severe COPD.
Need to Evaluate for Co-morbid Diagnoses
Because sleep disturbances may be the presenting manifestation of a medical and/or psychiatric disorder, treatment of insomnia should be initiated only after careful evaluation of the patient. The failure of insomnia to remit after 7 to 10 days of treatment may indicate the presence of a primary psychiatric and/or medical illness that should be evaluated. Worsening of insomnia or the emergence of new cognitive or behavioral abnormalities may be the result of an unrecognized underlying psychiatric or medical disorder and can emerge during the course of treatment with sleep-promoting drugs such as QUVIVIQ.
Drug Interactions with Quviviq
Effects of Other Drugs on
QUVIVIQ Table 2 describes clinically significant drug interactions where the concomitant use of other drugs affects QUVIVIQ. Table 2 Effects of Other Drugs on QUVIVIQ Strong or Moderate CYP3A4 Inhibitors Clinical Implications: Concomitant use with a strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor increases exposure to daridorexant , which may increase the risk of QUVIVIQ adverse reactions. Prevention or Management: The recommended dose of QUVIVIQ is 25 mg when used with a moderate CYP3A4 inhibitor . Concomitant use of QUVIVIQ with a strong inhibitor of CYP3A4 is not recommended . Strong and Moderate CYP3A4 Inducers Clinical Implications: Concomitant use with a strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducer decreases exposure to daridorexant , which may reduce the efficacy of QUVIVIQ. Prevention or Management: Concomitant use of QUVIVIQ with a strong or moderate inducer of CYP3A4 is not recommended . Alcohol and Other CNS Depressants Clinical Implications: Concomitant use of alcohol or other CNS depressants with QUVIVIQ may lead to additive impairment of psychomotor performance and risk of CNS depression . Prevention or Management: Avoid alcohol consumption with QUVIVIQ . Use with caution in patients receiving CNS depressants. Consider dose adjustment of QUVIVIQ and/or the CNS depressant(s) if used concomitantly .
Effects of
QUVIVIQ on Other Drugs Table 3 describes clinically significant drug interactions where the concomitant use of QUVIVIQ affects other drugs. Table 3 Effects of QUVIVIQ on Other Drugs CYP3A4 Substrates Clinical Implications: Concomitant use of QUVIVIQ with CYP3A4 substrates increases the exposure to CYP3A4 substrate . Prevention or Management: Use with caution in patients receiving CYP3A4 substrates with narrow therapeutic index. P-gp Substrates Clinical Implications: Concomitant use of QUVIVIQ with P-gp substrates increases the exposure to P-gp substrate . Prevention or Management: Use with caution in patients receiving P-gp substrates with a narrow therapeutic index.
Pregnancy Safety for Quviviq
Pregnancy Pregnancy Exposure Registry There will be a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to QUVIVIQ during pregnancy. Pregnant women exposed to QUVIVIQ and healthcare providers are encouraged to call Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd at 1-833-400-9611. Risk Summary There are no available data on QUVIVIQ use in pregnant women to evaluate for drug-associated risks of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. In animal reproduction studies, oral administration of daridorexant to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis did not cause fetal toxicity or malformation at doses up to 8 and 10 times the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of 50 mg, respectively, based on AUC. Oral administration of daridorexant to pregnant and lactating rats did not cause any maternal or developmental toxicity at doses up to 9 times the MRHD, based on AUC (see Data ). The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown.
All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Data Animal Data Daridorexant was administered orally to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis at doses of 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg/day, which are approximately 1, 3, and 8 times the MRHD of 50 mg, respectively, based on AUC. Daridorexant did not cause any maternal or embryofetal toxicities or fetal malformation at doses up to 300 mg/kg/day.
The NOAEL for maternal and fetal toxicity is 300 mg/kg/day, which is approximately 8 times the MRHD of 50 mg, based on AUC. Daridorexant was administered orally to pregnant rabbits during the period of organogenesis at doses of 30, 60, and 120 mg/kg/day, which are approximately 3, 4, and 10 times the MRHD of 50 mg, respectively, based on AUC. Daridorexant did not cause any fetal toxicity or malformation at doses up to 120 mg/kg/day. Daridorexant caused maternal toxicities of decreased weight gain and food consumption at the dose of 120 mg/kg/day. The NOAELs for maternal and fetal toxicity are 60 and 120 mg/kg/day, respectively, which are approximately 4 and 10 times the MRHD of 50 mg, respectively, based on AUC. Daridorexant was administered orally to pregnant rats during gestation and lactation at doses of 50, 100, and 300 mg/kg/day, which are approximately 1, 3, and 9 times the MRHD of 50 mg, respectively, based on AUC. Daridorexant did not cause any maternal or developmental toxicities at doses up to 300 mg/kg/day.
The NOAEL for maternal and developmental toxicity is 300 mg/kg/day, which is approximately 9 times the MRHD of 50 mg, based on AUC.
Pediatric Use of Quviviq
Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of QUVIVIQ have not been established in pediatric patients.
Contraindications for Quviviq
is contraindicated: in patients with narcolepsy. in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to daridorexant or any components of QUVIVIQ. Angioedema with pharyngeal involvement has been reported . Narcolepsy. Known hypersensitivity to daridorexant or other components of QUVIVIQ.
Overdosage Information for Quviviq
There is limited clinical experience with QUVIVIQ overdose. In clinical pharmacology studies, healthy subjects were administered single doses of up to 200 mg (4 times the maximum recommended dose) of QUVIVIQ. The following adverse reactions were observed: somnolence, muscle weakness, cataplexy-like symptoms, sleep paralysis, disturbance in attention, fatigue, headache, and constipation. There is no specific antidote to an overdosage of QUVIVIQ. In the event of an overdose, general symptomatic and supportive medical care, along with immediate gastric lavage where appropriate, should be provided and patients should be carefully monitored.
Dialysis is unlikely to be effective as daridorexant is highly protein bound. Consider contacting the Poison Help Line (1-800-222-1222) or a medical toxicologist for additional overdosage management recommendations.
Clinical Studies of Quviviq
Controlled Clinical Studies
The efficacy of QUVIVIQ was evaluated in two multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group studies, Study 1 (NCT03545191) and Study 2 (NCT03575104). A total of 1854 patients with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5 ® ) insomnia were randomized to receive QUVIVIQ or placebo once daily, in the evening, for 3 months. Study 1 randomized 930 subjects to QUVIVIQ 50 mg (N = 310), 25 mg (N = 310) or placebo (N = 310). Study 2 randomized 924 subjects to QUVIVIQ 25 mg (N = 309), 10 mg (N = 307), or placebo (N = 308). The 10 mg dose is not an approved dose. At the end of the 3-month treatment period, both studies included a 7-day placebo run-out period, after which patients could enter a 9-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled extension study (Study 3, NCT03679884). In Study 1, patients had a mean age of 55.4 years (range 18 to 88 years), with 39.1% of subjects ≥ 65 years of age, including 5.8% ≥ 75 years of age.
Patients were identified as female or male and by US census-based racial and ethnic categories. The percentages of patients in the respective categories were: female sex (67.1%), White (90%), Black or African American (8%), Asian (1.0%), or Other race (< 1%). In Study 2, patients had a mean age of 56.7 years (range 19 to 85 years), with 39.3% of subjects ≥ 65 years of age, including 6.1% ≥ 75 years of age. Patients were identified as female or male and by US census-based racial and ethnic categories.
The percentages of patients in the respective categories were: female sex (69.0%), White (88%), Black or African American (8%), Asian (4%), or Other race (< 1%). Primary efficacy endpoints for both studies were the change from baseline to Month 1 and Month 3 in Latency to Persistent Sleep (LPS) and Wake After Sleep Onset (WASO), measured objectively by polysomnography in a sleep laboratory. LPS is a measure of sleep induction and WASO is a measure of sleep maintenance. Secondary endpoint included in the statistical testing hierarchy with Type 1 error control was patient-reported Total Sleep Time (sTST), evaluated every morning at home using a validated Sleep Diary Questionnaire (SDQ). In Study 1, doses of 25 and 50 mg QUVIVIQ showed a statistically significant improvement vs placebo on polysomnography (LPS, WASO) and self-reported total sleep (sTST), at Month 1 and Month 3 (Table 4). In Study 2, QUVIVIQ 25 mg showed a statistically significant improvement vs placebo on WASO and sTST at Month 1 and Month 3 (Table 5). QUVIVIQ 10 mg did not show a statistically significant improvement on LPS, WASO, or sTST at Month 1 or Month 3. The efficacy of QUVIVIQ was similar across subgroups based on age, sex, race, and region.
Table 4 Primary and Secondary Efficacy Results for Change from Baseline in Sleep Onset, Sleep Maintenance, and Subjective Total Sleep Time at Month 1 and Month 3 in Patients with Insomnia (Study 1) Treatment group/dose (N) Baseline Month 1 Month 3 Change from baseline Difference to placebo Change from baseline Difference to placebo mean (SD) mean (SD) LSM (95%CL) LSM (95%CL) mean (SD) LSM (95%CL) LSM (95%CL) CL = confidence limit; LPS = latency to persistent sleep; LSM = least squares mean; PSG = polysomnography; SD = standard deviation; sTST = subjective total sleep time; WASO = wake after sleep onset. WASO (wake after sleep onset, min): sleep maintenance, assessed by PSG 50 mg 95 65 -29 -23 doses that were statistically significantly superior (p < 0.05) to placebo after controlling for multiple comparisons. 65 -29 -18 25 mg 98 77 -18 -12 73 -23 -12 placebo 103 92 -6 87 -11 LPS (latency to persistent sleep, min): sleep onset, assessed by PSG 50 mg 64 34 -31 -11 30 -35 -12 25 mg 67 38 -28 -8 36 -31 -8 placebo 67 46 -20 43 -23 sTST (subjective total sleep time, min): patient-reported 50 mg 313 358 44 22 372 58 20 25 mg 310 345 34 13 358 48 10 placebo 316 338 22 354 38 Table 5 Primary and Secondary Efficacy Results for Change from Baseline in Sleep Onset, Sleep Maintenance, and Subjective Total Sleep Time at Month 1 and Month 3 in Patients with Insomnia (Study 2) Treatment group/dose (N) Baseline Month 1 Month 3 Change from baseline Difference to placebo Change from baseline Difference to placebo mean (SD) mean (SD) LSM (95%CL) LSM (95%CL) mean (SD) LSM (95%CL) LSM (95%CL) CL = confidence limit; LPS = latency to persistent sleep; LSM = least squares mean; PSG = polysomnography; SD = standard deviation; sTST = subjective total sleep time; WASO = wake after sleep onset. WASO (wake after sleep onset, min): sleep maintenance, assessed by PSG 25 mg 106 80 -24 -12 doses that were statistically significantly superior (p < 0.05) to placebo after controlling for multiple comparisons. 80 -24 -10 placebo 108 93 -13 91 -14 LPS (latency to persistent sleep, min): sleep onset, assessed by PSG 25 mg 69 42 -26 -6 39 -29 -9 placebo 72 50 -20 49 -20 sTST (subjective total sleep time, min): patient-reported 25 mg 308 353 44 16 365 56 19 placebo 308 336 28 347 37 The effects of QUVIVIQ on LPS, WASO, and sTST were observed at Month 1 and were maintained through Month 3. The change from baseline of sTST by week in Study 1 is presented in Figure 4. Figure 4 Change from Baseline of sTST by Week (Study 1) Figure 4
Special Safety Studies Effects on Driving
A randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled, four-period crossover study evaluated the effects of nighttime administration of QUVIVIQ on next-morning driving performance, using a driving simulator, 9 hours after dosing in 30 healthy elderly subjects (65–79 years, median age 70 years; 15 men, 15 women) and 30 healthy adult subjects (50–64 years, median age 58 years; 15 men, 15 women). The primary driving performance outcome measure was change in Standard Deviation of Lateral Position (SDLP). Testing was conducted after one night (initial dosing) and after four consecutive nights of treatment with QUVIVIQ 50 mg and 100 mg (two times the maximum recommended daily dose). Zopiclone 7.5 mg was used as an active comparator. For both doses, QUVIVIQ caused a statistically significant impairment in next-morning driving performance in adult or elderly subjects (compared with placebo) after the first dose. Although the mean effect on driving performance was not statistically significant (compared to placebo) after 4 consecutive nights of treatment with either dose of QUVIVIQ, driving ability was impaired in some subjects taking QUVIVIQ. Patients should be cautioned about the potential for next-morning driving impairment because there is individual variation in sensitivity to QUVIVIQ. Withdrawal of Therapy Withdrawal Symptoms In controlled efficacy and safety studies, withdrawal effects were assessed by the Tyrer Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptom Questionnaire following discontinuation of QUVIVIQ, and by adverse event reporting during a single-blind placebo run-out period.
No evidence of withdrawal symptoms was observed upon treatment discontinuation. Loss of Treatment Effect After Discontinuation The loss of effect from stopping treatment with QUVIVIQ was assessed during the placebo run-out period after 3 months of treatment with QUVIVIQ in Study 1 and Study 2. After treatment discontinuation, in Study 1, patients previously treated with QUVIVIQ 50 mg experienced mean increases of 25 minutes in WASO, 16 minutes in LPS during the next night of sleep, and a mean decrease in sTST of 14 minutes per night over the next week, as compared to the last assessment on treatment. Following QUVIVIQ 25 mg discontinuation, a similar pattern was observed with mean increases in WASO of 19 minutes, 15 minutes in LPS, and a mean decrease in sTST of 7 minutes.
Similar changes were observed with the 25 mg dose in Study 2. In both studies, patients who were on placebo and continued on placebo in the run-out period experienced minimal changes in WASO, LPS, or sTST. Middle of the Night Safety The effect of QUVIVIQ on middle of the night safety was evaluated in a randomized, placebo-controlled three-period crossover study in 18 healthy adult (< 65 years) and 18 healthy elderly (≥ 65 years) subjects. The ability to awaken in response to a sound stimulus, postural stability, and memory were assessed following a scheduled awakening 4 hours after administration of 25 or 50 mg QUVIVIQ, or placebo. The ability to awaken to sound in the middle of the night was assessed using an audiometer that delivered 1000 Hz tones starting at 35 dB and increasing to 100 dB to determine the Auditory Awakening Threshold (AAT). There was no significant difference between QUVIVIQ (25 mg or 50 mg) and placebo in AAT. Postural stability was measured by assessing body sway using a body sway meter approximately 5 minutes after awakening.
Evening dosing of QUVIVIQ 25 mg and 50 mg resulted in respective increases in mean (95% confidence limit) cumulative body sway over 2 minutes of 37 mm and 66 mm at 4 hours post-dose compared to placebo. A visual verbal learning test (VVLT) of immediate and delayed recall was administered to assess memory after middle of the night awakening (4 hours post-dose) in subjects receiving QUVIVIQ 25 mg or 50 mg. QUVIVIQ was associated with worse performance on the VVLT compared to placebo.
Drug information sourced from the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any medication decisions.
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