Nuvigil (TB) (Armodafinil)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Nuvigil (TB) Used For?
Nuvigil is a medication that helps improve wakefulness in people who experience excessive daytime sleepiness due to certain sleep disorders.
Primary Uses
Nuvigil treats excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy (sudden, irresistible tendency to fall asleep during normal waking hours), Obstructive Sleep Apnoea/Hypopnoea Syndrome (OSAHS), and moderate to severe chronic Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD) when non-drug therapies have been unsuitable or unsuccessful.
How It Works
The exact way Nuvigil works is not fully understood, but it acts on the central nervous system (the brain) to increase wakefulness. It differs from other stimulant medicines that promote wakefulness and does not cause the ‘high’ feeling associated with other stimulants.
Good to know: Nuvigil only treats the symptom of sleepiness and does not cause the ‘high’ feeling associated with other stimulants used for narcolepsy.
How to Take Nuvigil (TB)
It’s important to take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully regarding dosage, timing, and frequency.
Dosage Instructions
For narcolepsy or OSAHS: Take 150mg to 250mg as one dose in the morning, no later than midday to avoid sleep problems at night. For SWSD: Take 150mg as a single dose 1 hour before starting your shift work. Swallow the tablet whole with water. Take before food as food can slow absorption and delay effects. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose unless directed by your doctor.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose, just take the next dose at your usual time. Do not take an extra dose to ‘catch up’.
Important: Never take an extra dose to make up for a missed dose, and don’t take your dose later than midday for narcolepsy or OSAHS as it may cause sleep problems.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Decreased appetite
- Loss of appetite
- Upper abdominal pain
- Excessive urination
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Nervous feeling
- Dizziness
- Back pain
- Feeling anxious
- Upset stomach
- Trouble sleeping
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Skin rash, hives, mouth sores, or skin blistering and peeling
- Swelling of face, eyes, lips, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or breathing
- Fever, shortness of breath, leg swelling, yellowing of skin or eyes, or dark urine
- Mental symptoms including depression, anxiety, aggression, agitation, irritability, hallucinations, mania, or thoughts of suicide
- Chest pain or abnormal heart beats
- Fits or convulsions
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before taking Nuvigil.
Who Should Not Take Nuvigil (TB)
Do not take Nuvigil if you are allergic to armodafinil, modafinil, or any other ingredients; are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding; or if the packaging shows signs of tampering or has passed its expiry date.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you are under 18 or over 65 years old; have mental health problems, heart problems, abnormal heart rhythm, high blood pressure, kidney or liver problems; are taking hormonal contraceptives; are receiving anxiety treatment; are taking brain stimulants, depression medications, epilepsy medications, antifungal medications, sedatives, certain antibiotics, cyclosporine, propranolol, warfarin, theophylline, quetiapine, or stomach ulcer medications.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Armodafinil is suspected to cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy. If you could become pregnant, confirm with a pregnancy test that you are not pregnant within a week before starting treatment. Use effective contraception during therapy and for one month after stopping treatment. Stop taking Nuvigil and tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant.
Serious Skin Reactions: Stop taking Nuvigil and seek emergency treatment immediately if you develop a skin rash, hives, mouth sores, skin blistering or peeling, or any sudden breathing difficulties or swelling.
Drug Interactions
Nuvigil can interact with several medications. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
Contraception Warning: Nuvigil may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives. Use alternative non-hormonal birth control while taking Nuvigil and for 2 months after stopping treatment.
- Hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, implants, injectables, some IUDs)
- Depression medications including MAOIs
- Epilepsy medications (phenytoin, oxcarbamazepine, carbamazepine, phenobarbital)
- Antifungal medications (ketoconazole, itraconazole)
- Antibiotics (rifampicin, erythromycin, clarithromycin)
- Cyclosporine
- Propranolol
- Warfarin
- Theophylline
- Quetiapine
- Stomach ulcer medications (omeprazole, esomeprazole)
Alcohol & Driving
Take precautions when it comes to activities requiring alertness and coordination.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how Nuvigil affects you.
Storage
Keep Nuvigil tablets in their original packaging until it’s time to take them. Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place away from direct heat and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom or near a sink. Keep out of reach of children – a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above ground is recommended.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else may have taken too much Nuvigil, immediately call your doctor, the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
For shift work sleep disorder, take Nuvigil 1 hour before starting your shift. For narcolepsy and sleep apnea, take it in the morning. Taking it before food helps it work faster as food can slow absorption.
It’s better to take Nuvigil before food as food can slow down how quickly the medication enters your bloodstream and may delay its effects.
Nuvigil differs from other stimulant medicines and is not associated with the ‘high’ feeling that other stimulants used for narcolepsy may cause.
If you miss a dose, just take the next dose at your usual time. Do not take an extra dose to ‘catch up’.
For narcolepsy or sleep apnea, do not take Nuvigil later than midday as you may have trouble sleeping at night. For shift work, take it 1 hour before your shift starts.
Yes, Nuvigil may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives. You should use alternative non-hormonal birth control while taking Nuvigil and for 2 months after stopping treatment.
Stop taking Nuvigil immediately and tell your doctor. Armodafinil is suspected to cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy. You should confirm you’re not pregnant before starting treatment.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.