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Are you curious about using Armodafinil but want to first investigate the potential for negative side effects and other risks?
Armodafinil is a stimulant-like drug originally produced by the pharmaceutical company Cephalon, Inc.
It was only approved by the US FDA on June 15, 2007 which means that it has a relatively short history of therapeutic use.
It is typically prescribed as a wakefulness agent to improve daytime energy and alertness, but users have also found it to positively influence concentration, mental functioning, mood and intelligence.
Clinical uses for this product (also known as Nuvigil) include conditions such as narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and also shift work disorder.
While this drug is viewed as very safe when taken appropriately, there are some Armodafinil side effects that you may encounter.
Energy
Cognition
Motivation- Wakefulness-boosting stimulant
- Enhances motivation and focus
- Shown to boost mental performance
Armodafinil Review
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
From a chemical standpoint, this drug is a derivative of another popular smart drug known as Modafinil.
The mechanisms of action for both of these drugs are still unclear, although they do seem to effect similar pathways in the brain.
Armodafinil is generally considered to be more potent and effective, requiring a smaller dose to have the same benefits.
Modafinil is still more popular because it is available in generic formulations and is much cheaper, but use of Armodafinil is growing.
There are also a number of ‘off-label’ benefits for both and these drugs have become popular among students or productivity-conscious people.
The original intent and primary use of this drug was—and is—as a wakefulness enhancer. This is a fancy way of saying that if you have serious sleep problems, Armodafinil can help you remain awake during critical times of the day.
It is very effective in the treatment of narcolepsy (where one tends to fall asleep at odd or unusual moments throughout the day), obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome, and shift work sleep disorder.
Excessive daytime sleepiness is a common symptom of narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea (even when the apnea is being treated with traditional methods), and Armodafinil has been observed in double-blind placebo-controlled studies to improve wakefulness and decrease excessive sleepiness in these patients, as measured by the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test, the Multiple Sleep Latency Test, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.
People with shift work sleep disorder experience excessive sleepiness when they are awake at night for work. Armodafinil has been seen in research studies to reduce sleepiness, improve work performance, and improve memory and attention in patients with shift-work sleep disorder when it is taken before a nighttime work shift.
This drug also is capable of producing some powerful energy enhancing effects. Although technically a stimulant, the effects do not feel like any other stimulant experience you may have had or heard about. Whereas caffeine or amphetamines can make you feel over-stimulated, anxious and eventually burned out, Armodafinil gives a more natural energy boost.
This may be related to the fact that it influences the natural arousal systems in the brain that keep your sleep and wake cycles regulated. Users say that taking Armodafinil enables them to stay awake longer without feeling drained and be more focused and productive.
This drug also works as a cognitive enhancer, along the same lines as many other Nootropics.
Armodafinil reviews typically say that the drug gets rid of brain fog, increasing mental clarity and improving intellectual capacities. Many users report greatly enhanced concentration as well as increased memory retention.
Others say it serves to improve their reasoning abilities and concepts may seem to click without as much mental effort. Armodafinil is also described as leading to an enhanced mood, feelings of well-being, higher levels of confidence and motivation.
Studies have also indicated additional effects, such as acting as an appetite suppressant. In fact, weight loss is one of the common side effects among Armodafinil and Modafinil users.
Strength training athletes have also been using this drug for extra help to power through intense workouts; many report it is able to help them push through their pain barriers.
Other studies indicate this may be an effective treatment for adult ADHD, especially in those who have already developed a level of tolerance for other medications and treatments.
- Increases energy, wakefulness and motivation
- Boosts mental performance and focus
- Supports memory and cognition
Armodafinil Side Effects
Armodafinil is a drug that is well-tolerated and safe, especially when used for its clinical purposes as directed by a physician. However, there are some side effects which may occur.
These typically can include headaches, nausea, anxiety, dizziness, and difficulty sleeping. If any of these occur, you may want to contact your doctor.
Most of these side effects, if they occur at all, are mild and typically only appear when first taking the drug, after taking large dosages, or after using it for an extended period of time.
There are some more serious side effect of Armodafinil, and these are discussed further in a section below.
The standard Armodafinil dosage is 150 mg per day, though some people will see results at lower amounts. If you find that 150 mg is too strong, consider splitting your Armodafinil tablet in half and only using 75 mg per day.
The following is a discussion of the five most commonly reported Armodafinil side effects, possible causes, and ways to help prevent or treat these negative effects.
1. Headaches
Headaches are the most commonly reported Armodafinil side effect in research trials and online reviews. It is estimated that over half of all Armodafinil users will experience a headache at some point while taking this medication. These headaches can range from mild up to severe, and in some cases are chronic, but typically they are experienced most when adjusting to the drug.
The exact cause of headaches from Armodafinil is unknown, however, the top theory is that Histamine may play a role. Like has been observed with its predecessor Modafinil, Armodafinil is believed to increase levels of the neuropeptide Orexin. Orexin in turn stimulates the release of the neurotransmitter Histamine.
The mechanism of action is still being studied, but there is evidence that elevated Histamine levels can cause cluster headaches. This could explain why Armodafinil can cause headaches in many users.
Another theory is that dehydration may play a role. It is an established fact that dehydration can cause a myriad of negative effects in the body, including headaches.
Many people have reported that when they take Armodafinil their concentration and focus on a task increases significantly, often causing them to lose track of their surroundings and time. This can lead to forgetting to drink enough water and eat regularly.
Many users have reported that due to how the body processes this drug, their water intake when taking Armodafinil needs to be higher than other times, so it can be very easy to become dehydrated when taking the drug. Some people find it useful to set alarms throughout the day to help them remember to drink enough water.
Most people find that their headaches are worst when they first start taking Armodafinil, or after their dosage is increased. As their bodies adjust to the medication over a few weeks the headaches subside.
Other people find that their headaches are more chronic. In these cases, some people find relief taking over-the-counter pain medicines such as the NSAID ibuprofen.
2. Nausea/Digestive Issues
Nausea is the second most reported Armodafinil side effect after headaches. Other digestive issues have been frequently reported as well, including indigestion and diarrhea.
The exact cause of these digestive upsets is unknown, and could stems from a few different causes. For some people, it simply comes down to their personal physiology and being too sensitive to a normal recommended dosage.
If you experience digestive issues when taking Armodafinil after the initial adjustment period the first few weeks of taking the drug, then speak to your doctor about using a lower dosage. Some people have been able to have success using a lower dosage and still getting all the benefits of Armodafinil.
As seen with the headaches, dehydration is another possible cause of digestive issues. Try to drink ample amounts of water and eat regularly when taking Armodafinil. Setting reminders to get up, move, and do some light exercise may help with digestive upset as well.
Another theory is that due to its stimulant-like effects, Armodafinil may increase the rate of digestion, which could lead to indigestion and diarrhea. These effects have been observed in people who take amphetamine stimulants.
3. Dizziness
Dizziness is a common complaint when taking Armodafinil. Some users report feeling dizzy or lightheaded just after taking their medication and it then subsides so time passes, but others report feeling dizzy for many hours after their dosage.
The exact cause of dizziness from Armodafinil is unknown, but there are a few theories why this effect occurs. The first is once again dehydration. It is important to keep well hydrated when taking Armodafinil, because as seen, dehydration can cause many different effects.
Another possible cause is changes in blood pressure. While Armodafinil rarely causes severe cardiovascular effects, it is a possibility. Armodafinil has been observed to cause low blood pressure in a small number of patients, and this could lead to dizziness issues.
4. Insomnia
One of the most commonly reported side effects of Armodafinil is insomnia. In most cases, insomnia is not a true adverse reaction to the drug, but rather is typically an effect of poor dosage timing.
Because Armodafinil has a very long half-life (between 12-15 hours), it is important to take it before lunchtime and ideally at least 14 hours before you plan to go to sleep. Taking this drug too late in the day can make it difficult to fall asleep or reduce the quality of your sleep.
Your doctor will likely recommend that you take only one dosage as soon as you arise in the morning. Some people have even reported that they have success avoiding sleep disturbances when they wake up early to take their dosage, and then fall back asleep for a while as it takes effect.
People who have shift-work sleep disorder are often recommended to take their dosage approximately 30-60 minutes before their nighttime shift starts. For most people only one dosage while working is recommended, as a second could exacerbate the insomnia that some people with this condition already experience when trying to sleep during the day.
5. Anxiety
Some people have reported having anxiety issues when they take Armodafinil. This can range from mild anxious feels described as flutters in the chest or stomach, all the way to a full panic attack.
Anxiety as a side effect of Armodafinil is most often observed in people who already have anxiety disorders, although this effect has been seen in people with no history of anxiety before.
The exact cause of this effect is now known, but the leading theory is that it may be due to Armodafinil’s effect on the neurotransmitter GABA. In animal research, Modafinil has been seen to decrease levels of GABA in the brain. These effects have not been studied in humans or using Armodafinil, but it is reasonable to extrapolate these effects and suggest that Armodafinil may decrease GABA levels in people.
GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. It blocks the action of the excitatory neurotransmitter Glutamate. Decreased levels of GABA has been observed in people who have anxiety disorders. Therefore it is possible that the decrease in GABA caused by Armodafinil may cause anxiety as a side effect.
People who have experienced this side effect have recommended not consuming any caffeine while taking Armodafinil, as this may make the anxiety worse. Other users have recommended using the supplement L-Theanine to help reduce anxiety symptoms.
Serious Armodafinil Side Effects
The preceding information discussed some of the most common minor side effects that people have reported when taking Armodafinil. While rare, there is also a possibility of developing some more serious side effects when taking this drug.
There are some serious and rare side effects that have been reported in a small number of cases. If you notice chest pain, easy bleeding or bruising, signs of infection (persistent sore throat, fever), signs of an allergic reaction, mental or mood changes, unusual tiredness, dark urine, and/or yellowing eyes/skin then seek immediate medical attention.
Another very serious set of side effects that may occur with Armodafinil use are a series of severe cutaneous reactions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS).
There is strong scientific evidence that people who have a genetic predisposition (they carry certain human leukocyte antigens) may be more susceptible to developing these skin and mucous membrane reactions when they take certain medications. Some of these medications include antibiotics, anesthetics, cough and cold medications, NSAIDs, and Modafinil or Armodafinil.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is the most common of these conditions that is contracted. The symptoms of this include a fever, body aches, sore throat, and a red/purple rash near the mouth, nose, eyes, and/or genitals that spreads and blisters.
Stop taking Armodafinil and speak with your doctor immediately if you think you are experiencing symptoms of any of these serious side effects.
Armodafinil Interactions
It is always advisable to talk with a qualified medical professional before simply adding a new drug to your routine, especially one as powerful as Armodafinil.
This drug may have potential interactions with alpha blockers, beta blockers (typically used for high blood pressure), blood thinners, amphetamines and other ‘street drugs,’ and medications that affect liver enzymes.
It may also speed up or slow down the removal of other drugs and substances from your body.
Using Armodafinil with other nootropics or cognitive enhancers can cause an exacerbation of possible side effects. Taking this drug with caffeine and other stimulants may lead to increased anxiety, restlessness and over-stimulation.
You should limit your use of stimulants when taking Armodafinil pills.
Armodafinil Precautions & Considerations
You would not want to use this drug if you have a history of certain medical conditions. Check with your doctor before taking Armodafinil if you have heart problems or issues that can result from taking stimulants like amphetamines.
Individuals suffering from high blood pressure, liver issues, kidney problems, and certain mental or mood disorders may be precluded from taking this drug. Always consult a doctor if there is anything in your medical history which could present a problem or interaction with this new drug.
While Armodafinil side effects are generally rare and not serious, these precautions can prevent bad reactions and lower your risk of negative outcomes.
If you do find that you encounter a high rate of side effects when taking Armodafinil, consider looking into other nootropics that can boost energy levels such as Tyrosine, Acetyl L-Carnitine, Sulbutiamine and Noopept.
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Article last updated on: April 12th, 2018 by Nootriment