Nuvigil (Armodafinil) Drug Overview and Uses for Patients and Caregivers at RxList

Pill Identifier Search

May 27, 2012

Nuvigil

Sleep Disorder Drugs »

Sleep disorder drugs (hypnotic and sedative drugs) overview

Insomnia, a disorder of sleep, occurs occasionally in most people but usually lasts only a few days. The body then "corrects" itself naturally, and people return to a normal pattern of sleep. Insomnia may be short-term (less than three weeks) or chronic, lasting longer than three weeks. Contributing factors include, but are not limited to, poor sleeping habits, stress, jet lag, medications, disease, and depression. Chronic insomnia may warrant the use of sedative/hypnotics medications; however, it is important that the treating physician perform a complete diagnostic evaluation as well as take medication and substance abuse histories, to exclude secondary insomnia due to other conditions.

Hypnotics/sedatives medications (henceforth referred to as hypnotics) work, in general, by increasing the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter in the brain. Neuro...

Read the Sleep Disorder Drugs article »

« Previous
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Next »

Nuvigil User Reviews >>

Nuvigil

Causes of Fatigue Slideshow

Foods That Help or Harm Your Sleep Slideshow

Take the Sleep Quiz

font size

Nuvigil Consumer

IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.

ARMODAFINIL - ORAL

(AR-moe-DAF-i-nil)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Nuvigil

USES: Armodafinil decreases extreme sleepiness due to narcolepsy and other sleep disorders such as difficult/irregular breathing during sleep (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome-OSAHS). It is also used to decrease sleepiness due to work schedules that interfere with a normal sleep routine (shift work sleep disorder-SWSD).

It is not known how armodafinil works to increase wakefulness. It is thought to work by affecting certain substances in the brain that control the sleep/wake cycle. Armodafinil does not make up for lack of sleep. It should not be used to treat tiredness or hold off sleep in people who do not have a sleep disorder.

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

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually once daily in the morning or as directed by your doctor. If you are using armodafinil for shift work sleep disorder, take this medication 1 hour before you start your work shift or as directed by your doctor. If you are using this drug for sleep apnea (OSAHS), also continue your other current treatment (e.g., CPAP machine) unless your doctor tells you to stop.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Use this medication exactly as prescribed to get the most benefit from it.

Rarely, use of this medication can result in abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction). Do not increase your dose, take it more frequently, or use it for a longer time than prescribed. Properly stop this medication when so directed.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.