Nuvigil (Armodafinil) Patient Information: Side Effects and Drug Images at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Nuvigil

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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...

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Nuvigil Patient Information Including Side Effects

Brand Names: Nuvigil

Generic Name: armodafanil (Pronunciation: ar moe DAF i nil)

What is armodafanil (Nuvigil)?

Armodafanil is a medication that promotes wakefulness.

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

Armodafanil may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of armodafanil (Nuvigil)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using armodafanil and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

fever, sore throat, headache, and vomiting with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
easy bruising or bleeding;
white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips;
hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
depression, anxiety; or
chest pain, uneven heart beats.

Less serious side effects may include:

headache, dizziness;
feeling nervous or agitated;
nausea, diarrhea;
trouble sleeping (insomnia); or
dry mouth.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

What is the most important information I should know about armodafanil (Nuvigil)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to armodafanil or modafanil (Provigil).

Before using armodafanil, tell your doctor if you have angina (chest pain), liver or kidney disease, a heart problem, a history of drug addiction, if you take blood pressure medication, or if you have recently had a heart attack.

Armodafanil affects the central nervous system. This can cause effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid other dangerous activity until you know how this medication will affect your level of wakefulness.

Stop taking armodafanil and call your doctor if you have a skin rash, no matter how mild. A medicine similar to armodafanil has caused severe skin reactions serious enough to require hospitalization. Other signs of a severe reaction include fever, sore throat, headache, and vomiting with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash.

There may be other drugs that can interact with armodafanil. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

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