World champion skier Lindsey Vonn on insomnia and scoring better sleep

(BPT) – Lindsey Vonn has been tackling challenges all her life as a professional skier. However, one of her biggest challenges didn’t happen on her skis, but rather, in her own bed. A knee injury took her off the slopes to recoup in 2013. Around this time, she began having trouble falling and staying sleep, also known as insomnia, and even after recovering, she couldn’t shake it off. When she officially retired from the sport in 2019, her sleep problems only intensified.She is not alone. More than 25 million Americans suffer from insomnia every year and experience firsthand the toll that it can take on their nights and days.[i], [ii] For Lindsey, not sleeping at night meant that she couldn’t be her best self during the day as an entrepreneur, author, philanthropist and investor.Lindsey’s journey with QUVIVIQ® (daridorexant) CIV After years of trying out various sleep hygiene practices, common over-the-counter supplements and even prescription sleep medicines, Lindsey still struggled with her sleep. She decided to talk to her doctor about available treatment options, and to understand the benefits and risks of each. Based on her needs and preferences, once-nightly QUVIVIQ was the best option for her — because in clinical studies QUVIVIQ has been shown to help adults with insomnia fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer with improvements measured at one month and which continued over a period of three months.QUVIVIQ is a prescription medicine for adults who have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep (insomnia).[iii] As an athlete, Lindsey is incredibly mindful of what she puts in her body, which is why she talked to her doctor about the risks and benefits of treatment options to find the best one for her. Lindsey’s doctor told her that QUVIVIQ may cause headache or sleepiness during the day and to be cautious about driving or doing other activities until she feels fully awake. She feels good about taking QUVIVIQ because of its safety profile and because clinical studies show a lack of withdrawal symptoms after stopping usage, which suggests no physical dependence. QUVIVIQ is a federally controlled substance because it can be abused or cause dependence.“I didn’t just decide to be a championship skier. I worked at it, and that’s how I approach my sleep,” said Lindsey. “It’s a journey, which is why I talked to my doctor about QUVIVIQ.”Taking QUVIVIQ helps her fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer and getting more sleep at night may mean feeling less tired during the day. This is Lindsey’s experience with QUVIVIQ and individual results may vary. Review the additional important safety information and talk with your healthcare provider to see if QUVIVIQ may be right for you.Lindsey’s advice for others struggling with insomnia1. Talk about it. It’s common for sleep issues to isolate people or cause them to cope in silence, as problems sleeping can be misconstrued as a “personal” issue. Therefore, Lindsey’s biggest piece of advice for others struggling with sleep like her is to start a conversation with their doctor to discuss the sleep challenges they’re having and to find out what treatment options are out there.2. Be patient. Lindsey recognizes her issues with sleep didn’t happen overnight, so she knew improving her sleep would take some time to get right. She recommends others be consistent and patient when working through treatment solutions and give them time to work. “Insomnia can impact both my days and my nights. That’s why I take QUVIVIQ nightly, and I feel that my sleep has improved,” she said.3. Seek support. Paying for treatments can be a concern for many. Those interested in QUVIVIQ should check out QUVIVIQ.com to download or screen shot a QSavings Card. Eligible patients pay as little as $0* for the first month of treatment and receive refills for as little as $25*.If you’re like Lindsey and struggle with falling asleep or staying asleep, start a conversation with your doctor today and see if QUVIVIQ is right for you. To learn more, visit QUVIVIQ.com.*For eligible commercially insured patients. Terms and conditions apply. Please read the full terms and conditions. Sponsored by Idorsia U.S.What is QUVIVIQ?QUVIVIQ (daridorexant) 25 mg, 50 mg tablets is a prescription medicine for adults who have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep (insomnia).Important Safety InformationDo not take QUVIVIQ if you fall asleep often at unexpected times (narcolepsy).QUVIVIQ may cause serious side effects, including:Decreased awareness and alertness. The morning after you take QUVIVIQ, your ability to drive safely and think clearly may be decreased. You may also have sleepiness during the day.Do not take more QUVIVIQ than prescribed.Do not take QUVIVIQ unless you are able to stay in bed for at least 7 hours before you must be active again.Take QUVIVIQ at night within 30 minutes before going to bed.QUVIVIQ is a federally controlled substance because it can be abused or lead to dependence.Before taking QUVIVIQ, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:have a history of depression, mental illness, or suicidal thoughts or actions; drug or alcohol abuse or addiction; a sudden onset of muscle weakness (cataplexy); daytime sleepinesshave lung or breathing problems, including sleep apneahave liver problemsare pregnant or plan to become pregnantare breastfeeding or plan to breastfeedTell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.Taking QUVIVIQ with certain medicines can cause serious side effects. QUVIVIQ may affect the way other medicines work and other medicines may affect the way QUVIVIQ works.Do not take QUVIVIQ with other medicines that can make you sleepy unless instructed by your healthcare provider.What should I avoid while taking QUVIVIQ?Do not drink alcohol while taking QUVIVIQ. It can increase the effects of alcohol, which can be dangerous.Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, do anything dangerous, or do other activities that require clear thinking if you do not feel fully awake, or you have taken QUVIVIQ and have less than a full night of sleep (at least 7 hours), or if you have taken more QUVIVIQ than prescribed.QUVIVIQ may cause other serious side effects, including:Worsening depression and suicidal thoughts. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any worsening depression or thoughts of suicide or dying.Temporary inability to move or talk (sleep paralysis) for up to several minutes, or hallucinations while you are going to sleep or waking up.Complex sleep behaviors such as sleep-walking, sleep-driving, preparing and eating food, making phone calls, having sex or doing other activities while not fully awake that you may not remember the next morning. Stop taking QUVIVIQ and call your healthcare provider right away if you experience a complex sleep behavior.The most common side effects of QUVIVIQ are headache and sleepiness.These are not all of the possible side effects of QUVIVIQ. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.Please see the full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide. [i] Bhaskar S, Hemavathy D, Prasad S. Prevalence of chronic insomnia in adult patients and its correlation with medical comorbidities. J Family Med Prim Care. 2016;5(4):780-784. doi:10.4103/2249-4863.201153.[ii] Ogunwole S, Rabe M, Roberts A, et al. United States Census Bureau. Population under age 18 declined last decade. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/08/united-states-adult-population-grew-faster-than-nations-total-population-from-2010-to-2020.html. Accessed May 12, 2022.[iii] QUVIVIQ® (daridorexant) [prescribing information]. Radnor, PA: Idorsia Pharmaceuticals U.S. Inc; 2022.