How to use Nuvigil

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start using armodafinil and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

For narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea, take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily in the morning. If you are using armodafinil for shift work sleep disorder, take it as directed by your doctor, usually once a day 1 hour before you start your work shift. You may take this medication with or without food, but armodafinil may take longer to work if you take it with food.

If you are using this drug for sleep apnea, continue your other treatment (such as the CPAP machine, mouth device) unless your doctor tells you to stop.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it.

If you suddenly stop using this medication, you may have withdrawal symptoms (such as shaking, sweating, chills, nausea, vomiting, confusion). To help prevent withdrawal, your doctor may lower your dose slowly. Withdrawal is more likely if you have used armodafinil for a long time or in high doses. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you have withdrawal.

When this medication is used for a long time, it may not work as well. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.

Though it helps many people, this medication may sometimes cause addiction. This risk may be higher if you have a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). Take this medication exactly as prescribed to lower the risk of addiction. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.

Side Effects

Headache, nausea, dry mouth, nervousness, dizziness, or difficulty sleeping may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, mental/mood changes (such as agitation, confusion, depression, hallucinations, rare thoughts of suicide).

Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: chest pain.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: fever, swollen lymph nodes, rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

Before taking armodafinil, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to modafinil; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart problems (such as enlarged heart, mitral valve problem, chest pain, heart attack, irregular heartbeat), heart problems after taking stimulant drugs such as amphetamines (including chest pain, irregular heartbeat), high blood pressure, liver problems, mental/mood disorders (such as depression, mania, psychosis), personal or family history of a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol).

Sleep disorders may reduce your ability to react quickly. Though armodafinil helps keep you awake, you still may not be able to safely do things that require quick reactions (such as driving). This drug may also make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You should not become pregnant while using armodafinil. Armodafinil may harm an unborn baby. Ask about reliable forms of non-hormonal birth control (such as condoms, diaphragm with spermicide) while using this medication and for 2 months after the last dose. If you become pregnant, talk to your doctor right away about the risks and benefits of this medication.

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: street drugs (such as methamphetamine, MDMA/"ecstasy").

This medication may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring. This could cause pregnancy. Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist if you should use reliable backup birth control methods while using this medication and for 1 month after the last dose. Also tell your doctor if you have any new spotting or breakthrough bleeding, because these may be signs that your birth control is not working well.

Some products have ingredients that could raise your heart rate or blood pressure. Tell your pharmacist what products you are using, and ask how to use them safely (especially cough-and-cold products or diet aids).

Caffeine can increase the side effects of this medication. Avoid drinking large amounts of beverages containing caffeine (coffee, tea, colas), eating large amounts of chocolate, or taking nonprescription products that contain caffeine.

Armodafinil is very similar to modafinil. Do not take medications containing modafinil while using armodafinil.

Does Nuvigil interact with other drugs you are taking?
Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose include: fast/irregular heartbeat, severe restlessness, hallucinations.

Notes Notes

Do not share this medication with others. Sharing it is against the law.

Lab and/or medical tests (such as blood pressure, heart rate) may be done while you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.

Follow good sleep habits (such as sleeping in a dark/quiet room, avoiding caffeine close to bedtime) which can help improve your sleep if you have shift work sleep disorder.

Missed Dose Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up. Do not take missed doses close to bedtime because doing so may make it harder to go to sleep.

Storage Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Images

Nuvigil 200 mg tablet

Nuvigil 200 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: rectangular (rounded end)Imprint: logo 220

This medicine is a white, rectangular (rounded end), tablet imprinted with "logo" and "220".

Nuvigil 50 mg tablet

Nuvigil 50 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: roundImprint: logo 205

This medicine is a white, rectangular (rounded end), tablet imprinted with "logo" and "220".

Nuvigil 150 mg tablet

Nuvigil 150 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ovalImprint: logo 215

This medicine is a white, rectangular (rounded end), tablet imprinted with "logo" and "220".

Nuvigil 250 mg tablet

Nuvigil 250 mg tablet

Color: whiteShape: ovalImprint: logo 225

This medicine is a white, rectangular (rounded end), tablet imprinted with "logo" and "220".

Look up another drug

Find other drugs that treat your condition

Select a condition
sleepiness due to shift work sleep disorder
recurring sleep episodes during the day
sleepiness due to obstructive sleep apnea

Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.