Suffering from chronic insomnia is a problem shared by millions here and abroad. Finally there is hope that Quviviq withdrawal and drug free treatment that addresses root causes for insomnia makes better outcomes possible. Quviviq withdrawal itself can be relatively easy to navigate, though it is best not to try it on your own. But what then? The body and mind are both key players in recovering after chronic insomnia. We have the tools and the compassion here at Alternative to Meds to help you reach your health goals.
Stuck in the nightmare of medicated sleep?
Is it really possible to get adequate & satisfying sleep without pills? Our years long high rate of success has been validated and published by independent researchers. Alternative to Meds Center has been the industry leader for 18 years in treatment for recovery after prescription drug treatment. Our approach to treatment is a blend of safe, medically monitored drug withdrawal, drug-free protocols and a wealth of therapies to reduce and eliminate symptoms. Our time-tested set of tools and education assists a person to maintain mental wellness for life.
Quviviq Withdrawal — Understanding the Mechanics
Quviviq is a drug surmised to target approximately 70,000 excitatory neurons (orexin peptides) that promote wakefulness, and also have a function in regulating sleep. The theory is that blocking their excitatory signals can promote sleep.
The human brain and central nervous system are intricate and complex structures. These orexin neurons affect not only sleep and wakefulness, they also signal things like reward, cognition, food intake, digestion, physical strength and activity, and others. Quviviq drug marketing highlights the sleep/wake signaling in particular, but in actuality, the mechanics and effects could be much more wide-ranging.4,6-8
Patients are cautioned in the prescribing information that despite the 8 hour half-life, effects can persist well after an approximate 8 hour time frame.
According to the FDA’s label and the package insert 2,3 Quviviq withdrawal effects can include:
- Increased onset of sleep time
- Increased wakefulness
- Decreased duration of sleep time
- CNS-depressant effects and sleepiness may persist for several days after discontinuing
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Concerns About Quviviq and Quviviq Withdrawal
If the mother uses this drug during pregnancy, Quviviq withdrawal may affect an unborn and newborn infant as the transport of any drug can occur through the placenta, and through breastfeeding.5,9
Nature has designed the increase and decrease of orexin levels in the human body to follow a timeline starting from the very beginning of life to old age. These neurons express a multitude of signals that promote many aspects of healthy development and affect the entire body. In newborns, orexin levels peak, increasing to highest levels in the 4th month, and then they level off and stabilize.
Fascinating research continues this time line, suggesting that a loss of orexin neurons may account for some sleep and behavioral disruptions and other changes seen in the elderly population. Similar changes can occur after brain trauma, and in cases of narcolepsy.
Research published in the Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience Journal has found that changing orexin levels also affect maternal behavior, such as alertness and interest, feeding and lactation, and coping with the changing needs of the infant.10
As these areas of research are only in their beginning stages, Quviviq withdrawal may be one problem to avoid well before and well after pregnancy, and as we age, if at all possible. Non-drug-based alternative insomnia treatments may be a superior option to consider in the treatment of sleep disorders.
Interactions Between Quviviq and Other Substances
Drug interactions are a common problem, especially with the number of prescription and OTC drugs increasing exponentially year over year. To date, there are about 400 drugs known to interact with Quviviq . Grapefruit is a food which you should not take if you are taking Quviviq as it increases the level of Quviviq in the blood, and increases the severity of side effects. Here are some of the most common drugs the FDA recommends you avoid, according to the package insert as they either make the drug too potent, or reduce its potency markedly.2,3,17
- Alcohol (additive impairment of motor skills, CNS depression, increases side effects)
- Vraylar, Cymbalta, Ativan, Trazodone, Ambien, and many other prescription drugs for insomnia & mental health (increase side effects)
- Melatonin (increase side effects)
- Piperine, Bioperine (derivative of black pepper that enhances cellular absorption)
- Nefazedone (antidepressant that suppresses hormone expression)
- Hydrocortisone, other steroids (steroids dampen immune system response)
- Cimetidine (an antacid)
- Quinidine (heart medication that reduces electrical signaling)
- Etoposide, Tamoxifen (drugs used in cancer treatment)
For Quviviq withdrawal, make sure your prescriber or care team know exactly what drugs and other substances you consume so that discontinuation can be coordinated and done in the best and safest sequence.
Chronic Insomnia — A Worldwide Problem
It is perhaps not so surprising that an estimated 20-30% of global populations suffer from chronic insomnia, given the high stress of modern living, family life, economics, the workplace, coupled with chemicals in our food and other sources of toxic contamination. Women suffer from sleep disorders more than men. Millions upon millions of people have been offered sleeping pills as a “solution” and in desperation, given no other options, will start on a course of medication for relief.
Chronic sleep disorders can preclude a number of related health issues, including mental health, cardiac problems, social and job-related dysfunction, and many others.
After Quviviq withdrawal, does a person have to continue to suffer? The answer at Alternative to Meds Center is a resounding “NO!” & There are other gentler, more natural ways to get a balance of restful sleep, and bright daytime awareness. Experts in treating sleep disorders often prefer psychological approaches to treatment such as CBT, which obtains excellent results for many.13-16
More material is available on our site to find out more about Alternative to Meds Center’s orthomolecular approach to regaining healthy sleep, energy, and mental clarity without drugs.
The Importance of Sleep for Health
We feel immediately bad when sleep is inadequate. Problems can greatly multiply if loss of sleep becomes chronic, affecting judgement and decision making, motor vehicle or other accidents and injuries, obesity, depression, heart issues, chronic pain, and our overall quality of life.18,19
Taking medication to “get to sleep” may be indicated in acute situations, but Quviviq withdrawal followed by non-medicated treatment may allow a longer-term, healthier change for the better.
The Orthomolecular Approach to Quviviq Withdrawal and Better Sleep at Alternative to Meds Center
We have been encouraged to seek out “instant solutions” in this fast-paced world that we live in. 
However, chronic insomnia is a complex and many-faceted problem that needs thorough assessment and repair. There can be multiple causes of chronic sleep issues, and taking a pill cannot correct everything that needs to be corrected.
That is why at Alternative to Meds we take the time to properly assess, understand, and treat all the contributing factors that led up to the symptoms you are suffering. Quviviq withdrawal can be done safely, with medical monitoring in place. However, that is only the beginning of your recovery.
With the use of extensive lab testing, neurotransmitter repair, diet correction, supplementation, exercise, psychological counseling, neurotoxin removal, and physical therapies for profound relaxation and pain relief, we can design your Quviviq withdrawal program that will allow for actual recovery of quality sleep — not just more drugs to knock you out temporarily.
For the best available help for chronic insomnia and Quviviq withdrawal strategies please contact us for a consultation. We are insurance friendly, and we are here to help you regain not only your sleep, but your quality of life.
Sleep walking, sleep driving, sleep eating etc. and loss of memory of the event
