Armodafinil (Nuvigil) is a medicine your doctor can prescribe to treat daytime sleepiness caused by narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea (ASA), or shift work disorder. These are three types of sleep disorders.
Before you take this medicine, there are a few things you should know about it.
Armodafinil (Nuvigil) Promotes Wakefulness
Armodafinil is a wakefulness-promoting drug. It increases dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical that helps you feel more awake and alert.
Doctors aren't sure how armodafinil works to treat sleepiness caused by sleep disorders like narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and shift work disorder. It acts in your brain much like the amphetamine drugs used to treat ADHD. But it’s not an amphetamine.
You Take Armodafinil (Nuvigil) as a Pill
You usually take armodafinil as a daily tablet. The dose and what time of day you take this medicine depend on the condition you’re using it to treat:
- For OSA or narcolepsy, you take one 150-milligram or 250-milligram tablet every morning.
- For shift work disorder, you take one 150-milligram tablet about an hour before you start work.
If you’re over 65 or have liver disease, your doctor may recommend that you take a lower dose.
Armodafinil works best when you take it at about the same time each day. You can take this medicine with or without food.
Armodafinil isn't a treatment for OSA. It only treats the symptom of daytime sleepiness. Don’t stop using your CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine or other treatments your doctor prescribed for your sleep apnea.
Armodafinil (Nuvigil) Has Been Found to Be Effective
In four 3-month studies of adults with OSA, narcolepsy, and shift work disorder, armodafinil:
- Improved their ability to stay awake during the day
- Helped improve their condition overall
Common Side Effects of Armodafinil (Nuvigil) Include Dizziness and Headache
Some of the more common side effects you might notice when you take armodafinil are:
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Trouble sleeping
This drug can also cause other side effects that are usually mild, such as:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Heartburn
- Tiredness
As your body adjusts to the drug, its side effects may lessen or go away. Talk to your doctor if they last a long time or get in the way of your daily life.
Armodafinil (Nuvigil) Sometimes Causes More Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects of armodafinil are uncommon, but they can happen. These include:
Serious skin reactions. It’s rare, but some people who take armodafinil have gotten skin sores, blisters, and serious rashes. These symptoms can appear as soon as 1 day after you start treatment or a few months later. Most rashes from armodafinil are mild and nothing to worry about.
Because it's hard to tell whether a rash is mild or serious, call your doctor right away if you have one or symptoms such as:
- Blisters
- Mouth sores
- Peeling skin
Allergic reactions. A few people are allergic to the ingredients in armodafinil. Call 911 if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as:
- Hoarse voice
- Swelling of your face, eyes, lips, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or breathing
Reactions to the medicine. A rare but serious allergy to drugs can cause a condition called DRESS (drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms). DRESS can happen with many medicines, including armodafinil. It can affect your liver, kidneys, and heart.
Symptoms of DRESS look like an infection and include:
- Fever
- Rash
- Swelling in your face
- Swollen glands
This reaction can be life-threatening. Stop taking the medicine and get emergency medical care if you have any of these symptoms.
Sleepiness. You may still feel groggy or drowsy when you take this medicine. Tell your doctor if your daytime sleepiness doesn’t go away while you take armodafinil. You might need to avoid driving or doing other activities that could be dangerous while you're sleepy.
Heart problems. Heart symptoms such as chest pain, high blood pressure, and a racing or pounding heartbeat (palpitations) have happened to people who take armodafinil. Your doctor might monitor your heartbeat and blood pressure more closely while you're on this medicine. Get medical help right away if you have any new chest pain or palpitations.
Mood changes. Some people notice changes in their mood when they take armodafinil. Let your doctor know if you have feelings like these:
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Nervousness
- Sadness
- Very high mood or energy level, called mania
If you think about hurting yourself, call your doctor right away. Or call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for help.
Be Aware of Warnings and Possible Safety Issues With Armodafinil (Nuvigil)
Don't take more of this medicine than your doctor recommends. Taking too much could make it harder for you to sleep or cause other side effects.
This medicine can affect your thinking and judgment. And it might not make you feel fully awake. Don't drive a car or operate machinery until you know how armodafinil affects you. The drug affects everyone differently.
Before you start taking armodafinil, make sure your doctor knows about all the drugs you take, including over-the-counter medications and supplements. Armodafinil may interact with:
- Antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
- Cyclosporine, which you take to prevent rejection of an organ transplant
- Hormonal birth control methods like birth control pills, implants, or shots
- Sedatives, medicines that help you sleep and relax
- Warfarin (Coumadin), a blood thinner
Your doctor might need to change the dosage of other drugs you take, or switch you to different medicines. They'll also watch you carefully for side effects.
Avoid alcohol while you take armodafinil. Mixing the two could be harmful.
Not Everyone Should Take Armodafinil (Nuvigil)
Armodafinil isn't right for everyone. Don't take it if you're allergic to armodafinil or to any of its ingredients. It also has the potential to be habit-forming. If you’ve ever abused alcohol or street or prescription drugs, your doctor might suggest another medication.
Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Scientists aren’t sure whether this medicine is safe during pregnancy or while nursing.
This medication isn’t approved for children. Doctors don’t know whether it’s safe or effective for them, and it could cause a serious rash.