On September 5, 2025, Daridorexant, a new-generation global anti-insomnia drug, successfully received the first national prescription at Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, marking that the drug officially enters clinical use in China and bringing a brand-new treatment option for insomnia patients in the country.
Insomnia has become an important issue affecting public health. The 2025 China Sleep Health Survey Report shows that nearly half of Chinese adults suffer from sleep disorders. Although traditional anti-insomnia drugs can shorten sleep onset latency, they are often accompanied by side effects such as daytime drowsiness and impaired cognitive function, and there is a risk of dependence with long-term use. As a new-type dual-orexin receptor antagonist, Daridorexant can not only effectively improve nighttime sleep quality, but also significantly enhance daytime function, providing patients with a safe and long-term applicable treatment plan.
Unlike traditional drugs that work by broadly suppressing brain activity, Daridorexant precisely targets the "hyperarousal" mechanism that causes insomnia, promoting physiological natural sleep. Its designed blood drug concentration half-life of approximately 8 hours not only effectively reduces nighttime awakenings but also avoids the impact of residual drugs the next day, ensuring patients remain alert during the day.
Professor Wang Yuping, Chief Expert of the Department of Neurology at Xuanwu Hospital which issued the first prescription for Daridorexant, stated: "Daridorexant prevents patients from experiencing discomfort such as grogginess and drowsiness the next day, making it more conducive to work, study and daily life. It is especially suitable for office workers with high work intensity. Patients with occasional insomnia can take it temporarily to improve sleep, while those with chronic insomnia are advised to take one tablet every night for long-term use to continuously enhance sleep quality."
Professor Zhang Kezhong, Chief Physician of the Department of Neurology at Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital, stated: "It (referring to Daridorexant) can regulate the sleep cycle, enable patients with sleep disorders to enter a normal sleep structure, and improve sleep quality. It is recommended that patients take the medication in accordance with the doctor's advice for the full course of treatment, while maintaining good sleep habits and a positive mindset to address sleep issues through a multi-faceted approach."
Professor Zhang Bin, Director of the Sleep Research Laboratory at Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University, stated: "The core of insomnia treatment lies in helping patients regain a vibrant life. The unique advantages of Daridorexant in improving daytime function and its good safety profile provide a brand-new treatment option for insomnia patients in China, driving the entire field to move from simply focusing on 'improving sleep' to a higher goal of 'fully restoring daytime function and enhancing quality of life'."
Phase III clinical trial in China shows that Daridorexant can not only accelerate sleep onset and reduce nighttime awakenings, but also significantly improve daytime function. No dependence or drug resistance was observed after continuous use of the therapeutic dose for one year.
Daridorexant originates from Switzerland and is co-developed and introduced by Simcere Pharmaceuticals and Idorsia. Currently, this drug has been approved for marketing in more than 10 countries and regions worldwide, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Japan, and Canada. It is the only dual-orexin receptor antagonist-type anti-insomnia drug approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to improve daytime function, and has received high-level recommendations in relevant Chinese treatment guidelines. In addition, this drug is not included in the controlled psychotropic substances list, making it more accessible for patients.
Currently, Daridorexant has been first launched on the AliHealth e-commerce platform. As this drug is gradually made available in retail pharmacies across the country, insomnia patients will have easier access to this innovative medication that balances nighttime sleep improvement and daytime function enhancement.