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Nuvigil is the brand name for the compound Armodafinil, a drug designed to replace Modafinil (Provigil) following the expiry of its patents in Canada.
Nuvigil is a drug which promotes a natural sense of alertness and energy in the user.
It is prescribed for those diagnosed with certain sleep disorders that can cause excessive fatigue during the day.
In Canada, it is often used in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy and shift worker sleep disorder (SWSD).
Nuvigil is legal in Canada but its use has been heavily regulated by Health Canada to prevent illegitimate usage of the drug which is common in the case of Provigil.
Nuvigil, like Provigil, is used off-label for many purposes including jet lag, fatigue and cognitive enhancement and for providing a motivational boost. Along with Adrafinil, they all belong to a class of smart drugs known as eugeroics, or “wakefulness agents.”
Side effects of Nuvigil are similar to those of Provigil, with a few differences. The chemical structure of Nuvigil differs from that of Provigil, creating a few specific variances with regards to their effects.
Energy
Cognition
Motivation- Wakefulness-boosting stimulant
- Enhances motivation and focus
- Shown to boost mental performance
The History of Nuvigil
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
Nuvigil is the latest iteration in a line of benzhydryl sulfinyl compounds that stretch back to 1974, with the development of Adrafinil. Adrafinil is a compound that was first developed by scientists at the French pharmaceutical company Lafon Laboratories.
During studies to determine how Adrafinil works in the body, Modafinil was discovered. Adrafinil is ingested and then transported to the liver, where it is broken down into its component parts, modafinilic acid, and Modafinil. It was found that Modafinil is the primary active compound in Adrafinil. and causes its effects in the body.
Adrafinil and Modafinil are eugeroics (Nuvigil is as well), or wakefulness promoting compounds. Animal studies with both compounds found that they had stimulating effects, increasing locomotor activity and alertness.
The first studies in humans with Adrafinil and Modafinil were for narcolepsy. Adrafinil was approved as a treatment for narcolepsy in France in 1986; Modafinil was approved for the same purpose in France in 1994, and in the US in 1998.
After it was possible to produce Modafinil directly, production of the less potent Adrafinil slowed, and eventually was ceased. Adrafinil is now made by other companies.
Lafon Laboratories was bought by Cephalon Inc in 2001. Then in 2011, Cephalon was acquired by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries. Cephalon, as a subsidiary of Teva, still produces the original version of Modafinil to this day, under its name brand, Provigil.
A few years before the patents on Provigil were set to expire, Cephalon began research on developing a new compound derived from Modafinil, to try and maintain their share of the market. This led to the development of Armodafinil.
Modafinil is comprised of two enantiomers – mirror-image stereoisomers of the same molecular structure. These enantiomers are known as R-Modafinil and S-Modafinil. Through research, it was found that R-Modafinil is the more pharmacologically active, stable, and longer-acting of the two enantiomers.
Armodafinil then is simply the R-Modafinil enantiomer alone, without the S-enantiomer. Armodafinil is considered a more potent version of its predecessor Modafinil, with effects very similar to its parent compound. The brand name version of Armodafinil produced by Cephalon is Nuvigil.
Prescribed Uses of Nuvigil in Canada
Like Provigil before it, Nuvigil has been tested and approved to treat certain serious sleep disorders. Nuvigil is classified as a Schedule I prescription only medication in Canada, with approved uses for treating narcolepsy and shift-work sleep disorder, and as a adjunct treatment for obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.
In multiple double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials, Nuvigil has been observed to promote wakefulness and reduce excessive daytime sleepiness in patients with narcolepsy compared to results from a placebo.
In one randomized double-blind study, patients with narcolepsy were given either a placebo or Nuvigil once daily for 12 weeks. Compared to placebo patients, Nuvigil patients had significantly improved mean sleep latency times as measured by the Maintenance of Wakefulness test. Significant improvements were also seen on the Clinical Global Impression of Change scale.
In a study on shift-work sleep disorder, patients were given a dosage of either a placebo or Nuvigil 30-60 minutes before they started a nighttime work shift, or a nighttime session of tests in the lab. It was seen that compared to the placebo patients as well as compared to their own baseline times, Nuvigil patients had significantly improved sleep latency times on the Multiple Sleep Latency test. Patient sleep diaries also reported improved sleepiness levels, as measured by scores on the patient-administered Epworth Sleepiness Scale.
Typical treatment for obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is wearing a nCPAP (nasal continuous positive airway pressure) machine while sleeping to help keep the airway open and avoid sleep disturbances caused by breathing episodes. Some people receiving treatment for their OSAHS still experience excessive daytime sleepiness however, and Nuvigil has been used as an adjunct treatment for this issue.
In one study, when used as an adjunct treatment for OSAHS, Nuvigil significantly improved mean sleep latency time from baseline on the Maintenance of Wakefulness test, while the placebo group actually had lower than baseline times.
- Increases energy, wakefulness and motivation
- Boosts mental performance and focus
- Supports memory and cognition
Nuvigil as a Nootropic
Any use of Nuvigil that is not one of the sleep disorders described above is technically considered an off-label use. Nuvigil has been used off-label for a variety of purposes, similar to the off-label uses of Provigil, including for disease related fatigue, for depression, for schizophrenia, for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
One of the most common off-label uses of Provigil and Nuvigil is as cognitive enhancers, or smart drugs. Both of these drugs have been used to increase concentration, focus, motivation, learning ability, and memory.
Nuvigil works in the central nervous system by blocking the transport and reuptake of certain monoamines, specifically the catecholamines Norepinephrine and Dopamine from synaptic terminals. It also works to raise hypothalamic Histamine circulating levels via the action of Orexin.
The effects experienced by the user due to these mechanisms of action include an increased sense of alertness and wakefulness without the agitation and cardiovascular issues which frequently accompanies other psycho-stimulants, such as amphetamines.
While the effects of Nuvigil are generally very similar to its parent compound Provigil, it is hypothesized that Nuvigil may be more sensitive to individual brain chemistry than Provigil and therefore may produce different effects in some users.
Nootropic users report an increase in motivation similar to that of Provigil but the enhanced focus ability usually reported with Provigil seems less potent with Nuvigil. Some say that it has more of a “clean” effect, giving you heightened awareness levels but less of the motivation-boosting effects as Modafinil.
Reviews vary from person to person so it is possible that you will see an increase in goal-oriented behaviors with Nuvigil above and beyond what is experienced with Provigil. Students seeking to study for long hours do well with Nuvigil.
Executives or entrepreneurs working long hours on a large project have reported good results, and most users do not experience disruption of their normal sleep cycle while taking Nuvigil, as long as they stick to a good dosing schedule.
There has not been any research directly dedicated to using Nuvigil as a nootropic cognitive enhancer, however, these effects have been studied in trials with different core aims. Specifically, there have been narcolepsy and SWSD studies that have also examined Nuvigil’s cognitive effects.
One study on narcolepsy had participants take either placebo or Nuvigil (150 mg or 250 mg) for twelve weeks. It was found that the Nuvigil patients had statistically significant improvements in attention and memory, as measured by the Cognitive Drug Research battery of tests.
Another study had participants with SWSD given either placebo or 150 mg of Nuvigil 30-60 minutes before the start of any nighttime work shifts or nighttime laboratory study shifts for 12 weeks. It was observed that the Nuvigil patients had significantly improved performance on the standardized memory and attention tests of the Cognitive Drug Research battery of tests.
How Can I Get Nuvigil in Canada?
Canada health regulators screen, approve and regulate all substances which are formally used in the treatment of medical conditions. Nuvigil is treated under the same guidelines which regulate Provigil.
Nuvigil is categorized on the Prescription Drug List (which replaced Schedule F of the Food and Drug Regulations) as a Schedule I prescription-only medication. This means Nuvigil is regulated and available to residents of Canada only when specifically prescribed by a medical doctor.
Prescriptions for Nuvigil are typically only written for the serious sleep disorders discussed previously. In some cases, doctors choose to write off-label prescriptions for other conditions, such as fatigue or ADHD. This is not done commonly, because even though off-label prescriptions are entirely legal, most doctors do not write them for fear of repercussions from medical boards.
If you have a prescription for Nuvigil, you are permitted to order your medications from the pharmacy of your choosing. This includes online pharmacies which are located within Canada.
You are allowed to fill your prescription from online pharmacies in Canada as long as the quantity falls within the “personal use” category. Personal use means a 1-3 month supply, so in the case of Nuvigil, a 3 month supply at the normal dosage would equal 90 tablets.
Residents of Canada are not allowed to import prescription medications into the country by mail, even if they have a prescription. The one exception to the importation rule is if you travel to another country and are prescribed Nuvigil abroad. You may be allowed to bring back your medication with you to Canada as long as it does not exceed a 3 month supply, and you have documentation of your prescription.
Buying Nuvigil Without a Prescription
Because getting a prescription for Nuvigil for any off-label purposes is very difficult or virtually impossible, some people are tempted to buy Nuvigil and generic Armodafinil without a prescription from international online pharmacies.
There are many online pharmacies based in countries where the sale of Nuvigil is over-the-counter (i.e. Mexico and India), therefore it can legally be sold without a prescription. There are a number of risks inherent in buying from these place however.
The first risk that you may never see your product. As mentioned before, it is not legal to import prescription drugs into Canada. Even if the country you buy from considers Nuvigil an over-the-counter drug, it is a prescription drug in Canada. When your shipment enters Canada, it is subject to the laws of this country, not the country it was shipped from.
Therefore, if it is found by customs agents, your shipment can be seized. As well, you may be fined or placed on a watchlist for trying to import prescription drugs.
As well, there are many reports of Nuvigil being stopped and seized in Canadian customs, regardless of quantity, causing many of the better established online pharmacies to refuse to ship Nuvigil to Canadian residents at this time.
The second risk comes if your shipment actually does get delivered to you. Many of these vendors do not have proper manufacturing protocols in place, which can lead to contaminations. Additionally, there are almost never proper chemical analyses done on the finished products and a Certificate of Analysis is very often not available, certainly not for every batch.
Therefore, you may receive a product that is not genuine or untainted, putting your health at risk. It would be prohibitive to have every shipment you get tested by a lab for purity, but this is essentially what would be necessary to ensure the product you receive is genuine and pure.
Overall, the risk involved in buying from an international online pharmacy does not justify the potential benefits for most people. Instead they choose to use some non-prescription alternatives, such as the ones detailed below.
Side Effects of Nuvigil
Nuvigil is considered to be generally well tolerated when taken by adults at appropriate doctor recommended dosages. However, some people do report experiencing mild side effects when they take Nuvigil, including but not limited to:
- headache
- nasuea
- dizziness
- anxiety
- diarrhea
- insomnia
- dry mouth
- depression
- dyspepsia/indigestion
- upper abdominal pain
Experiencing some mild side effects when first taking a new medication is entirely normal. Most people can experience side effects in first few weeks as their bodies adjust to the drug.
If you continue to have side effects after a few weeks, then speak with your doctor. It is possible that you may be more sensitive to the medication than others, and possibly taking a lower dosage may help stop side effects.
Insomnia is a commonly reported side effect with eugeroics like Provigil and Nuvigil, and in most cases is not a true negative reaction to the medication, but rather a matter of poor dosage timing. Because it has a long half-life of approximately 13 hours, Nuvigil’s effects can still be felt long after it is ingested.
Is it recommended that Nuvigil be taken in the morning, no later than noon, to help avoid sleep disturbances at night. Taking a dosage in the afternoon runs the risk of still feeling Nuvigil’s stimulating effects late into the evening and night.
There is a very small chance of developing one of a series of rare, but serious skin reactions when taking Nuvigil, including Stevens-Johnson’s syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), or drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS).
There is strong scientific evidence that suggests that some people have a genetic predisposition that makes then more susceptible to developing these conditions if they take certain medications, including antibiotics, anesthetics, NSAIDs, cough/cold medications, and Nuvigil.
Contact your doctor immediately and stop taking Nuvigil is you develop a fever, flu-like symptoms, and a spreading, blistering, red or purple rash on/near the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals.
Non-Prescription Nuvigil Alternatives
Because Nuvigil can be difficult to find or to import to Canada, some people seeking the benefits of this drug elect to purchase the prodrug of Modafinil, Adrafinil.
As described before, Adrafinil was the original eugeroic substance discovered in the 1970s by the French pharmaceutical company which manufactures Nuvigil.
Adrafinil is an inactive substance until it is broken down in the liver into Modafinil (Provigil). Once it was possible to synthesize Modafinil directly, and to patent it, Adrafinil was no longer considered necessary.
When the original company ceased production, other pharmaceutical companies began producing it.
Adrafinil, due to needing conversion in the body, requires a higher dosage than either Provigil or Nuvigil.
It should also be noted that Adrafinil may have a higher incidence of side effects. These can range from mild, such as nausea or headache, to more serious, such as liver damage.
It is hypothesized that due to how it is broken down in the liver, there could be an accumulation of toxic liver enzymes if Adrafinil is used on a regular basis. Therefore, most users recommend that it is only taken on an as-needed basis, when an occasional mental boost is needed.
Another non-prescription nootropic option that some people use as an alternative to Nuvigil is one of the Racetams. This family of compounds are all derived from the parent compound Piracetam, the original nootropic developed in the 1960s.
Piracetam, and the other Racetams as well, has effects on the cholinergic system in the brain, positively influencing the activity and levels of the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine. Elevated Acetylcholine levels in the brain are associated with improved learning ability, general cognition, and memory.
Other more potent derivatives of Piracetam have been developed since its discovery in the ’60s, including Oxiracetam, Aniracetam, Phenylpiracetam, and Pramiracetam. In addition to Acetylcholine effects, these compounds often have additional nootropic effects as well.
Phenylpiracetam is considered to be 50-60 times as powerful as Piracetam, and has been seen to have strong mental alertness effects that can last up to 8 hours, which makes it an ideal substitute for Nuvigil.
Adrafinil and the Racetams are not regulated and are readily available to purchase and to import to Canada. They are available from a variety of online specialized nootropic vendors.
Nuvigil in Canada Review
Nuvigil is available by prescription in Canada to treat specific medical conditions such as narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea. Canadian residents may not purchase or import Nuvigil without a prescription.
An alternative for nootropic users is Adrafinil which can be purchased and imported in bulk powder or tablet form from online nootropic providers. Canadian residents ordering Nuvigil without a prescription have reported it being stopped in customs.
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Article last updated on: April 13th, 2018 by Nootriment
1 Comment
Hi any sources to buy Nuvigil in Canada. I was looking all over and couldnt find any.
Thanks. Crx.