Armodafinil

Generic name: Armodafinil
Brand names: Nuvigil
Dosage form: oral tablet (150 mg; 200 mg; 250 mg; 50 mg)
Drug class: CNS stimulants

Usage of Armodafinil

Armodafinil is a medication that promotes wakefulness.

Armodafinil is used to treat excessive sleepiness caused by sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or shift work sleep disorder.

Armodafinil may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Armodafinil side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).

Skin rashes serious enough to require hospitalization have occurred in people using a medicine similar to armodafinil. These rashes usually occurred within 1 to 5 weeks after the first dose.

Stop taking armodafinil and call your doctor at the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how minor you think it might be.

Seek medical treatment if you have symptoms of a serious drug reaction that can affect many parts of your body. Symptoms may include: skin rash, fever, swollen glands, flu-like symptoms, unusual bruising, or jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).

Armodafinil may cause serious side effects. Stop using armodafinil and call your doctor at once if you have:

  • bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
  • unusual bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums);
  • skin sores or blistering;
  • mouth sores, trouble swallowing;
  • chest pain, uneven heart beats; or
  • depression, anxiety, hallucinations, aggression, unusual thoughts or behavior, suicidal thoughts.

    • Common side effects of armodafinil may include:

  • headache, dizziness;
  • nausea; or
  • sleep problems (insomnia).

    • This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

    Before taking Armodafinil

    You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to armodafinil or modafinil (Provigil).

    To make sure armodafinil is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • liver or kidney disease;
  • a heart muscle or valve disorder such as mitral valve prolapse;
  • high blood pressure, heart disease, or prior heart attack;
  • mental illness or psychosis; or
  • drug or alcohol addiction.

    • It is not known whether armodafinil will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

    Use a barrier form of birth control (condom or diaphragm with spermicide). Hormonal contraception (birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, and vaginal rings) may not be effective enough to prevent pregnancy during your treatment.

    It is not known whether armodafinil passes into breast milk or if it could affect the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

    Armodafinil is not approved for use by anyone younger than 17 years old.

    Relate drugs

    How to use Armodafinil

    Usual Adult Dose for Narcolepsy:

    150 to 250 mg orally once a day in the morningComments: -In obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), doses up to 250 mg/day have been well-tolerated but there is no consistent evidence of additional benefit beyond the 150 mg/day.-This drug is not a treatment for the underlying obstruction in OSA. -In cases where continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the treatment of choice for excessive sleepiness, a maximal effort to treat with CPAP for an adequate period of time should be made prior to initiating this drug.Uses: To improve wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness associated with OSA and narcolepsy.

    Usual Adult Dose for Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome:

    150 to 250 mg orally once a day in the morningComments: -In obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), doses up to 250 mg/day have been well-tolerated but there is no consistent evidence of additional benefit beyond the 150 mg/day.-This drug is not a treatment for the underlying obstruction in OSA. -In cases where continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the treatment of choice for excessive sleepiness, a maximal effort to treat with CPAP for an adequate period of time should be made prior to initiating this drug.Uses: To improve wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness associated with OSA and narcolepsy.

    Usual Adult Dose for Shift Work Sleep Disorder:

    150 mg orally once a day approximately 1 hour prior to the start of the work shiftUse: To improve wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness associated with shift work disorder.

    Warnings

    You should not use armodafinil if you have ever had a rash or allergic reaction caused by armodafinil or modafinil (Provigil).

    Stop taking armodafinil and call your doctor if you have a skin rash, no matter how mild. Other signs of a severe reaction include fever, swelling in your face or tongue, mouth sores, trouble breathing, swelling in your legs, yellowing of your skin or eyes, and skin rash or blistering sores.

    What other drugs will affect Armodafinil

    Taking armodafinil with other drugs that make you sleepy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before taking a sleeping pill, narcotic medication, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

    Other drugs may interact with armodafinil, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

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