By Zainab Iman Sani


INTRODUCTION
 
Are you struggling to catch those valuable zzzzzs? Drift off to dreamland with the new sleep solution promising a night's restful slumber. 
Insomnia is a silent epidemic that affects millions of people worldwide. This ever-present sleep disorder touches people from all facets of life, cutting across age, gender, and socioeconomic backgrounds, calling forth a search for a new treatment option. These issues have led to the discovery of a new sleep medication DARIDOREXANT, which is making waves in addressing these sleeping woes. 
 
What is DARIDOREXANT, and how does it work?
 
This novel sleep medication, approved by the FDA in 2022 under the name QUVIVIQ, demonstrates a more targeted and effective approach to sleep deprivation. 
 
Daridorexant is a selective dual orexin receptor antagonist (DORA). That works by blocking the action of a certain natural substance called orexin/hypocretin in the brain responsible for wakefulness.
 
Unlike previous medications that depress the central nervous system, this sleep aid helps to shift the balance, allowing insomniacs to fall asleep faster and maintain sleep. 
 
Despite not being the first-line treatment for insomnia, it is indicated for adults with insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep onset and or maintenance. A 25-50 mg single dose, 30 minutes before bed, will produce an overall effect within 7-10 days.
 
Daridorexant has exhibited favorable results in improving sleep quality and promises more to come with further advancements in this drug class. 
 
SIDE EFFECTS 
 
In terms of side effects, Daridorexant(Quviviq) was generally well tolerated in clinical trials with a low incidence of adverse effects such as sleepiness, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and mild allergic reaction.
 
However, it is vital to note that like similar to other sleep medications, it may possess the potential for dependence and should be administered under the tutelage of a healthcare professional. 
 
A crucial question to explore is how this new sleep medication performs compared to the sleep medications that are already on the market.
 
In clinical trials, patients on Daridorexant exhibited meaningful improvements and overall better sleep quality and daytime functioning. 
 
It is the first insomnia medication to have shown effectiveness in improving both night-time symptoms and daytime functioning.Thus, supports the drug's unique mechanism of action that targets the root causes rather than masking the symptoms.
 
Furthermore, its targeted approach minimizes the drug's side effect profile, with patients on the medication exhibiting less daytime drowsiness, tolerance, and dependence. 
 
Another vital advantage is its convenient dosing, with a once-a-night dosage that encourages patient compliance.
 
DRAWBACKS 
 
The newly developed medication costs more than the older generic drug options, which raises concerns about its accessibility, as the higher cost makes it less affordable for some patients.
 
Furthermore, the limited long-term safety and efficacy data on Quviviq renders it to careful monitoring and follow-up in contrast to some older sleep aids.Lastly, as a controlled substance, there is a risk of abuse or dependence with prolonged or high-dose use.
 
 
Overall, the unique features of Daridorexant, such as its targeted mechanism of action, improved sleep outcome, and reduced side effects profile make it a compelling alternative to the older more conventional sleep medications. However, the medication should be administered with directives from a healthcare provider. 
 
As the field of sleep medicine continues to evolve, this innovative drug offers a promising path forward in addressing the widespread and often overlooked issue of insomnia.