Nuvigil (Armodafinil) Drug Information: Medication Guide and Patient Information

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

PATIENT INFORMATION

Physicians are advised to discuss the following issues with patients for whom they prescribe NUVIGIL (armodafinil) .

NUVIGIL (armodafinil) is indicated for patients who have abnormal levels of sleepiness. NUVIGIL (armodafinil) has been shown to improve, but not eliminate, this abnormal tendency to fall asleep. Therefore, patients should not alter their previous behavior with regard to potentially dangerous activities (e.g., driving, operating machinery) or other activities requiring appropriate levels of wakefulness, until and unless treatment with NUVIGIL (armodafinil) has been shown to produce levels of wakefulness that permit such activities. Patients should be advised that NUVIGIL (armodafinil) is not a replacement for sleep.

Patients should be informed that it may be critical that they continue to take their previously prescribed treatments (e.g., patients with OS A receiving CPAP should continue to do so).

Patients should be informed of the availability of a Medication Guide, and they should be instructed to read it prior to taking NUVIGIL (armodafinil) . The complete text of the Medication Guide is provided at the end of this labeling.

Patients should be advised to contact their physician if they experience rash, depression, anxiety, or signs of psychosis or mania.

Pregnancy

Patients should be advised to notify their physician if they become pregnant or intend to become pregnant during therapy. Patients should be cautioned regarding the potential increased risk of pregnancy when using steroidal contraceptives (including depot or implantable contraceptives) with NUVIGIL (armodafinil) and for one month after discontinuation of therapy (See Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility and Pregnancy).

Nursing

Patients should be advised to notify their physician if they are breastfeeding an infant.

Concomitant Medication

Patients should be advised to inform their physician if they are taking, or plan to take, any prescription or over-the-counter drugs, because of the potential for interactions between NUVIGIL (armodafinil) and other drugs.

Alcohol

Patients should be advised that the use of NUVIGIL (armodafinil) in combination with alcohol has not been studied. Patients should be advised that it is prudent to avoid alcohol while taking NUVIGIL (armodafinil) .

Allergic Reactions

Patients should be advised to stop taking NUVIGIL (armodafinil) and to notify their physician if they develop a rash, hives, mouth sores, blisters, peeling skin, trouble swallowing or breathing or a related allergic phenomenon.

Last reviewed on RxList: 1/14/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.