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Can you buy Armodafinil in Canada or is it illegal?
Armodafinil is the newest rendering of a drug known as Modafinil and, before that, Adrafinil.
Modafinil has become famous recently as the basis for NZT 48 in the movie “Limitless” featuring Bradley Cooper.
Armodafinil is an even stronger version of Modafinil and may have lower incidence of side effects.
In Canada, it is sold under the brand name Nuvigil and is available by prescription to treat those with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder.
But there are a lot of off-label uses for this drug and some may be curious about whether it is legal to order it from an online pharmacy and have Armodafinil imported to Canada. This article discusses the history or Armodafinil, its prescribed and common off-label uses, its legal status in Canada, the legality of importing to Canada,
Energy
Cognition
Motivation- Wakefulness-boosting stimulant
- Enhances motivation and focus
- Shown to boost mental performance
What is Armodafinil?
Related Topics
- What is Armodafinil?
- What is Nuvigil?
- Armodafinil vs. Modafinil
- User Review
- Typical Nuvigil Experiences
- How it Works
- Nuvigil for ADHD
- Effects on Depression & Anxiety
- Dosage Recommendations
- How to Take
- Reported Side Effects
- Withdrawal & Tolerance
- Prescription Information
- Buying Nuvigil
- Generic Nuvigil Brands
- Is Armodafinil Legal?
- Is Nuvigil Safe?
- Comparison to Adderall
Armodafinil is a drug which works to promote a sense of wakefulness in the user without producing the undesirable effects which often accompany stimulant usage, such as nervousness, agitation and jitters.
It belongs to a class of drugs known as eugeroic and is referred to in scientific literature as a “wakefulness enhancer”.
Nootropic users report Armodafinil offers an increased ability to focus, improved motivation, increased memory and better mental fluidity. These areas of intellect fall under the concept of fluid intelligence which is why some advertisements say that Armodafinil can make you smarter.
Armodafinil is the most recent development in a staged research process conducted by the company Cephalon based out of France.
Researchers first discovered an early precursor drug to Armodafinil called Adrafinil in the 1970s. Adrafinil is the prodrug to Modafinil which means it is converted by the body to the active drug, Modafinil. This process occurs in the liver and takes about an hour to occur, after which the effects are experienced.
Eventually, the company was able to synthesize Modafinil directly and shortly after Modafinil was patented and began to be marketed globally, they ceased production of Adrafinil. Production by other companies occurs today however.
The patent for Modafinil patent was set to expire a few years ago, at which point the company produced what they consider to be a better, more effective drug called Armodafinil.
So what is the difference between Armodafinil vs Modafinil? There are distinctive differences between Armodafinil and Modafinil, namely that Armodafinil has a modified chemical structure.
Modafinil is a racemic compound, meaning it is comprised on equal proportions of its two stereoisomers. The two configurations of Modafinil are in fact enantiomers, or mirror image non-superposable forms of the same molecular structure (much like right and left hands). These two enantiomers are R-Modafinil and S-Modafinil.
In research it has been determined that the R-Modafinil enantiomer is the more pharmacologically stable and longer acting enantiomer. Therefore, Armodafinil is made using only the R-enantiomer of Modafinil. This also gave Armodafinil its name, as Armodafinil is pronounced the same as R-Modafinil.
The use of only the R-enantiomer makes Armodafinil a more purified form of Modafinil, and also more potent. Because of the increase in potency, smaller doses are required to achieve the desired results.
Prescribed Uses of Armodafinil in Canada
Armodafinil has officially been approved as a prescription drug in Canada for the same uses as Modafinil, namely to treat a few serious sleep disorders: narcolepsy, shift-work sleep disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.
Narcolepsy is a serious neurological sleep disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness and multiple instances of falling asleep randomly throughout the day. In multiple double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials, when compared to a placebo, Armodafinil has been seen to significantly improve scores on the Epworth Sleepiness scale and the Clinical Global Impression of Change scale, as well as increase mean sleep latency times measured by the Maintenance of Wakefulness test.
People with shift-work sleep disorder (SWSD) experience excessive sleepiness due to their schedules of needing to be awake and working night shifts on an occasional or frequent basis. They also can experience insomnia when trying to sleep during the day.
In one study, patients were given a placebo or a dose of Armodafinil 30-60 minutes before they started a nighttime work shift. The patients in the Armodafinil group had significantly improved sleep latency as measured by the Multiple Sleep Latency test, reduced sleepiness as measured by the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale, and improved performance on standardized memory and attention tests as compared to the placebo group.
Obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) causes poor breathing or the temporary stopping of breathing multiple times per night, leading to poor sleep quality and consequent excessive daytime sleepiness.
The typical treatment for OSAHS is wearing a nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) machine at night. Some people still experience excessive sleepiness even with treatment for their condition, and Armodafinil has been used as an adjunct treatment to reduce this residual sleepiness.
In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study, Armodafinil was seen to significantly increase sleep latency on the Maintenance of Wakefulness test compared to placebo in people with OSAHS being treated with nCPAP. Significant improvements were also seen on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Clinical Global Impression of Change scale, and in patient episodic secondary memory tested by the Cognitive Drug Research battery of tests.
- Increases energy, wakefulness and motivation
- Boosts mental performance and focus
- Supports memory and cognition
Common Off-Label Uses
In addition to its approved uses, some people use Armodafinil for off-label uses. Any use of a drug that is not an official approved use is considered off-label.
Armodafinil has been used to alleviate the fatigue associated with a number of diseases, including depression, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and Parkinson’s disease. In relation to depression, Armodafinil was seen to significantly improve depressive symptoms in patients with a major depressive episode associated with bipolar I disorder when it was given as an adjunct treatment with mood stabilizers and/or antipsychotics.
Modafinil has been widely studied as a treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Multiple different studies have shown that compared to a placebo, Modafinil is significantly better at improving scores on a number of tests of ADHD symptoms, including the DSM-IV ADHD Behavior Checklist, the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale, and the ADHD Rating Scale-IV School and Home Versions.
Armodafinil has not been tested for use as a treatment for ADHD like Modafinil has, however, it is theorized that it would act in a similar fashion to Modafinil and be a beneficial alternative to traditional amphetamine and methylphenidate based stimulant drugs.
One of of the most popular off-label uses of Armodafinil is as a nootropic smart drug. As a more potent version of Modafinil, it is said that you can get the same nootropic effects with a lower dosage.
Armodafinil is used much the same as Modafinil as a cognitive enhancer. Users report that it has memory, attention, and motivation enhancement effects, as well as improved thought organization, time acceleration, and wakefulness effects.
There are not really any scientific studies testing Armodafinil for cognitive enhancement alone, however effects have been measured in other contexts. As mentioned previously, Armodafinil has been seen to improve scores on tests of memory and attention from the battery of Cognitive Drug Research tests. In a test using Armodafinil for narcolepsy, it was observed that the Armodafinil group had significantly improved scores on tests of memory and attention over placebo patients.
How can I buy Armodafinil in Canada?
In Canada, Modafinil is a regulated drug listed on the Prescription Drug List as a Schedule I prescription-only medication. The Prescription Drug List replaced the previous Schedule F of the Food and Drug Regulations classifications, where Modafinil was also classified as a prescription drug.
Armodafinil is classified the same way in Canada, as a Schedule I prescription drug. It is not listed in the Controlled Drug and Substances Act, meaning it is legal to buy and own, however it does require a valid doctor’s prescription.
Therefore, Armodafinil is entirely legal in Canada, provided you have a prescription for it from your medical doctor. The brand name version of Armodafinil (known as Nuvigil) can be very expensive in Canada, so some patients have expressed a preference for purchasing cheaper generic versions from online pharmacies which can provide lower prices.
Those with a prescription are permitted to order their Armodafinil from an online pharmacy within Canada. If buying online, we recommend purchasing your prescription from an established and reputable company with a history of furnishing authentic drugs of high quality and offering fast shipping.
There are many more reputable online pharmacies in places like the United States and the United Kingdom, however unfortunately it is not possible for Canadians to use these sources. Recent changes to import laws have made it impossible to import prescription drugs for personal use.
The Administration of Health Canada Acts and Regulations Relating to Certain Controlled, Prohibited or Regulated Goods Memorandum D19-9-1 states that Canadian residents may not import prescription drugs by mail or courier.
The one exception to these import laws are if you are travelling back to Canada and have prescription medication that you were prescribed while abroad. In these cases, Canadian residents are allowed to import up to a 90-day supply as long as they can produce a prescription if needed.
We do not recommend ordering Armodafinil from online pharmacies if you do not have a prescription for it. There are a number of online pharmacies that are based in countries like India and Mexico where Armodafinil is sold as an over-the-counter drug. They will sell you Armodafinil without a prescription because this is legal for them to do so.
However, when the Armodafinil enters Canada, it is considered a prescription drug by the laws of this country. And as mentioned before, it is not legal for individuals to import prescription drugs.
Therefore the first issue when you buy Armodafinil online from these international online pharmacies occurs when the product is imported into Canada and goes through customs. There is always a high chance your order will be seized at the border, thereby resulting in loss of your order and most likely, your money. You could also face legal issues for trying to import a prescription drug.
Many well-known offshore pharmacies currently refuse to ship Armodafinil to Canadian residents because of the seizures which have already taken place. Some of these pharmacies also refuse to ship Modafinil to Canada for the same reason.
Another issue with these sorts of pharmacies is that there is often poor quality control in place. It is often not possible to get any Certificates of Analysis for products, or documents on the manufacturing practices. This makes is difficult to know that the product you receive is pure from contaminants or even truly is Armodafinil.
Armodafinil Side Effects
While it is generally well tolerated in adults, there are some common side effects of Armodafinil to be aware of. Side effects can range from mild to serious and are similar to Modafinil. The most common mild side effects that have been reported from scientific studies and user reviews of Armodafinil include:
- headaches
- nausea
- dizziness
- anxiety
- insomnia
- diarrhea
- dry mouth
- depression
- indigestion
As is common with most medications, there is often an adjustment period when first taking a new drug. It is common to experience minor side effects for the first few weeks after starting to take Armodafinil. These side effects should cease after your body adjusts to the medication.
Because of its higher potency, the recommended daily Armodafinil dosage is between 100mg – 150mg, compared to a typical dosage of 200 mg per day for Modafinil. However, this dosage level is sometimes too high for some people’s physiology and causes side effects.
If you experience side effects outside of the first few weeks after taking Armodafinil, then speak with your doctor about trying a lower dosage for a while and see if effects subside.
One of the common side effects of Armodafinil, insomnia, is most commonly caused by taking it at the wrong time. The half-life of this drug is about 13 hours, meaning it can still have stimulating effects late into the evening and night if you take it too late in the day. It is recommended to take your dose in the morning, before noon, to help avoid sleep disturbances.
There is a low risk of developing one of a group of very rare, but serious skin and mucous membrane conditions while taking Armodafinil, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome. From research it has been determined that there is strong evidence suggesting that people with a genetic predisposition are at a higher risk of developing these conditions if they take certain medications, including Armodafinil.
If you develop a fever and a rash that spreads and blisters, then stop taking Armodafinil and speak to a doctor immediately. If taking Armodafinil, it is highly recommended you talk with your doctor about potential side effects and regularly have blood work drawn and analyzed.
Non-Prescription Alternatives
Because of the prescription-only status of Armodafinil in Canada, many nootropic users have made the decision to buy Adrafinil, instead. Adrafinil is available without a prescription and is readily accessible online from several reputable nootropic vendors. Adrafinil provides most of the positive effects of Armodafinil but requires a higher dose because of a lesser potency.
There are side effects which may be unique to Adrafinil including an elevation of liver enzymes which has been known to occur with continuous use and/or higher dosages. Because of this concern, we do not recommend continuous use of Adrafinil but instead suggest it as a good choice for occasional use when you need the extra boost, motivation and wakefulness it can provide.
Another non-prescription alternative to Armodafinil that some people use is one or a few of the Racetams. This group of compounds are all based off the parent compound Piracetam, which was first developed in the 1960s in Belgium.
Piracetam has been seen in studies to have positive effects on the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine. Increases in level or activity of Acetylcholine are associated with enhanced cognition and improved memory formation, retention, and recall.
The derivatives of Piracetam – Aniracetam, Oxiracetam, Pramiracetam, Phenylpiracetam – are all more potent compounds, that typically have benefits beyond affecting Acetylcholine. For example, Phenylpiracetam is considered the most potent, at about 50-60 times as powerful as Piracetam, and has been seen to have strong mental energy and memory effects, which makes it ideal as a substitute for Armodafinil.
Adrafinil and the Racetams are classified as unregulated, unscheduled compounds in the United States and Canada. There are regulations in place on sale of unregulated compounds like these, so it can be difficult to find them domestically. But they are legal to buy, own, and use, and are available from a number of online nootropic stores.
Armodafinil in Canada
In Canada, Armodafinil is a prescription-only drug. Those with a prescription are allowed to order their drugs from reputable online pharmacies within Canada and should provide their online pharmacy with a copy of the prescription.
As a Schedule I prescription drug, it is not legal to import Armodafinil into the country, even with a prescription. Any shipments will be subject to seizure at the border and can result in the loss of your investment.
Buying from an international pharmacy that does not require a prescription is not recommended either, because in addition to importation and seizure issues, you also cannot be assured of the quality and purity of the product you may receive.
Canadian nootropic users who do not have a prescription often opt to occasionally use Adrafinil or one of the Racetams as non-prescription alternatives to Armodafinil.
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Article last updated on: April 12th, 2018 by Nootriment