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Nuvigil effects on depression and anxiety could bring relief to many people who suffer from mental imbalances and mood disorders.
Intended to be used as a wakefulness aid for people suffering from narcolepsy and other sleep-related disorders, Nuvigil has some off-label uses that are potentially great weapons against depression.
By promoting concentration, sharp thoughts, and the ability to focus upon tasks, Nuvigil may be able to calm the mind and help with the release of nagging depressive or anxious thoughts.
The drug is also observed to increase Dopamine activity in the brain – a major target of many antidepressant drugs.
Though it was approved as a safe medication by the FDA in 2007, its use as a cognitive enhancer is still considered experimental.
Here’s what we know so far about how taking Nuvigil for depression and anxiety could improve quality of life, plus recommendations for how to buy it safely and legally.
Energy
Cognition
Motivation- Wakefulness-boosting stimulant
- Enhances motivation and focus
- Shown to boost mental performance
Nuvigil History
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
The story of the development of Nuvigil goes back over 40 years to the discovery of the compound Adrafinil by scientists at the French pharmaceutical company Lafon Laboratories. Adrafinil, along with a series of other benzhydryl sulfinyl compounds, was developed in 1974.
During testing to determine what Adrafinil’s mechanism of action is, Modafinil was discovered. Adrafinil is metabolized in the liver into its component parts. It was determined that Modafinil is the primary active compound in Adrafinil that causes its effects in the body.
Once Modafinil was fully tested and able to be produced directly on its own, the need for the less potent and slower-acting Adrafinil dropped. Production slowed and eventually ceased (although it is again produced today by other manufacturers).
Lafon Laboratories was bought by Cephalon Inc in 2001. Cephalon continued to make the brand name version of Modafinil, called Provigil.
When the patents on Provigil were due to expire in a few years time, research and development was done to develop a new form of this drug that would help the company maintain a share of the market. This led to the creation of Armodafinil (generic Nuvigil).
Modafinil is comprised of two copies of the same molecular structure that are mirror image copies of each other (like a right and a left hand), known as enantiomers. There is the S- and R- enantiomers, and Modafinil is considered a racemic compound because it is made of equal proportions of each enantiomer.
Research has determined that the R-enantiomer of Modafinil is the more active, stable, and longer-acting isomer. Armodafinil is simply an enantipure version of Modafinil that only contains the R-enantiomer – hence the name, Armodafinil, from R-Modafinil.
Cephalon was acquired by the company Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in 2011. To this day, acting as a subsidiary of Teva, Cephalon still produces the popular brand name versions of Modafinil and Armodafinil, Provigil and Nuvigil.
How Nuvigil Works
We actually know more about how Nuvigil doesn’t work than how it does work. The exact mechanism of action of Provigil and Nuvigil is still unknown. What has been observed is that these compounds can effect certain neurotransmitters, their neurons, and their transporters in the brain and central nervous system.
Provigil, and by extrapolation Nuvigil, has been seen to have an effect on Dopamine, Serotonin, Epinephrine (Adrenaline), Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline), Orexin (Hypocretin), and Histamine.
Unlike amphetamines, Nuvigil does not create its effects through a sudden chemical over-stimulation of Dopamine receptor sites. It is not a Dopamine receptor agonist.
Instead it acts as a Dopamine transport inhibitor, blocking the transport of and inhibiting the re-uptake of Dopamine. This helps keep more natural circulating Dopamine available to the neurons in the brain.
As with all eugeroic, or “arousal” drugs, Nuvigil also may have effects on depression and anxiety symptoms through effects on hormonal stimulation, in effect retraining the sleep centers of the brain to perceive alertness rather than tiredness.
Modafinil has been seen to strongly active Orexin neurons and Orexin-secreting neurons in the brain. The Orexin in turns stimulates the release of Histamine in the hypothalamus. Orexin is a neuropeptide, that along with the neurotransmitter Histamine, regulate functions in the body such as wakefulness, arousal, and appetite.
Nuvigil is strong, yet use very rarely results in withdrawal or comedowns. It can be taken daily in some cases, and typically does not interfere with normal sleep if taken early in the day.
Nuvigil for Sleep Disorders
Nuvigil, like Provigil before it, has been approved as a Schedule IV prescription medication by the FDA in the United States. It is officially approved to treat some serious sleep disorders involving excessive sleepiness, specifically narcolepsy, shift-work sleep disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.
In multiple double-blind placebo-controlled research trials, Nuvigil has been seen to increase wakefulness and reduce excessive daytime sleepiness experienced by people with narcolepsy. In one trials, Nuvigil was seen to significantly increase mean sleep latency times as measured by the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test compared to a decrease seen with placebo.
In a study on shift-work sleep disorder, Nuvigil or a placebo was given to patients to take between 30-60 minutes before they started a work shift at night, or a shift of tests done in the lab at night. It was seen the Nuvigil patients had significantly improved mean sleep latency times on the Multiple Sleep Latency test compared to a very mild improvement in placebo patients.
Nuvigil has been used as an adjunct treatment for people with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome who still experience residual excessive daytime sleepiness even when their apnea/hypopnea is being treated with nCPAP.
Compared to a placebo, Nuvigil has been observed to increase the mean sleep latency on the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test, as well as improve scores on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the Brief Fatigue Inventory, patient-administered tests that indicate reduced sleepiness and fatigue.
- Increases energy, wakefulness and motivation
- Boosts mental performance and focus
- Supports memory and cognition
How Pervasive Are Depression and Anxiety?
The statistics on anxiety and depression are staggering.
As many as 40 million Americans currently suffer from anxiety disorders, while at least 1 in 10 Americans experience depression severe enough for a clinical diagnosis.
Yet, it is thought that as many as 80 percent of people suffering from these conditions never receive treatment.
Those who are prescribed anti-anxiety and anti-depression medication sometimes face a whole new set of problems, like physical side effects, muted emotions, and addiction. Therefore, it’s important to keep looking for new therapies and new answers.
Using nootropics for depression and anxiety is one way that many people have begun to fight these conditions. There is a vast array of nootropic supplements that are known to positively impact mood. Nuvigil effects on depression and anxiety can work with natural brain chemistry to find an effective short-term solution for depression symptoms.
Nuvigil for Depression and Anxiety Relief
Nuvigil effects on depression and anxiety mainly focus around the control of thoughts and focus. While the drug is primarily designed to promote wakefulness, its off-label benefits include enhanced concentration, better time management, ability to complete tasks without distraction, and a sharp reduction of social anxiety.
Wild, erratic thoughts like those experienced during anxiety attacks, are reduced. The sense of alert mental energy can combat low feelings of lethargy that frequently accompany depression.
There is also a significant mood-boosting component to Nuvigil (Armodafinil) effects. The drug is observed in many user reviews to promote “sunny” thoughts, motivation and excitement. It seems to increase unsusceptibility to anxiety attacks while also decreasing feelings of stress or nervousness.
There have been no published studies examining the use of Nuvigil to reduce symptoms of anxiety at this time. Research will need to be done on this topic to determine if this drug shows documented evidence of reducing anxiety symptoms.
There have been some studies done using Provigil or Nuvigil as an adjunct treatment along with traditional antidepressants for the symptoms of depression in people with unipolar or bipolar depression.
One study used Nuvigil as an adjunct treatment in people with major depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder who were already being treated with traditional medications. It was seen that compared to a placebo, Nuvigil significantly improved the Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Clinician-Rated (IDS-C30) total scores from baseline scores.
Provigil has also been studied recently as a monotherapy treatment for depression with positive results. In a preliminary study using Provigil alone to reduce symptoms of major depression, it was found that Provigil significantly improved the scores from baseline on the four ratings scales used to chart symptoms: Beck Depression Inventory, the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, and the Hamilton Depression and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scales.
It is hypothesized that Nuvigil would have similar results as Provigil if used as a primary treatment for depression. More research is still needed on this area however.
Getting a Prescription for Nuvigil and Buying Online
Even though the effects of Nuvigil on depression and anxiety sound very promising, those conditions alone are not enough to warrant a prescription.
In order to legally be prescribed Nuvigil, typically you must have a one of the previously described serious sleep disorders.
Any other uses for Nuvigil are considered off-label according to the Food and Drug Administration. Off-label prescriptions are legal for doctors to write, however they typically do not for Nuvigil. Many doctors are afraid of the potential repercussions from medical boards of writing off-label prescriptions for Nuvigil.
Some doctors will write off-label prescriptions for their patients if they believe it could truly help. Prescriptions have been written for Provigil and Nuvigil for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), fatigue, and sometimes anxiety or depression. Speak with your doctor to see if they may do this for you.
Another issue that arises in this situation though is that most insurance companies will not pay for drugs that are used off-label. Provigil and Nuvigil are very expensive drugs, and most people cannot afford to pay hundreds of dollars each month for their prescriptions. Generic Modafinil and Armodafinil options are available and can reduce costs, but still may be costly over time.
Therefore, most people are unable to get a prescription for Nuvigil for their depression or anxiety, or cannot afford to pay for it out of pocket if they do get one. These depression and anxiety sufferers may be interested in buying it online without a prescription from an offshore pharmacy website.
Unfortunately, this avenue is not a reliable method for treating these conditions which are typically chronic and can last for years, with daily negative episodes.
International pharmacies are not subject to FDA quality controls, and their products cannot be verified as pure prior to purchase.
Once these products are shipped to the U.S., the grey area surrounding their legality evaporates and importing the the pills without a prescription once again become illegal, and can be seized by U.S. Customs if you can’t prove you have a prescription.
Nuvigil is regulated much the same way for residents in Canada, most of Europe, and the United Kingdom. Additionally, Canadians are not allowed to import prescription medications, even if they have a prescription.
Side Effects of Nuvigil
While generally Nuvigil is well tolerated in adults who take their doctor recommended dosages, there have been reports of some common mild side effects. These include: headaches, nausea, dizziness, insomnia, diarrhea, anxiety, dry mouth, depression, indigestion, and upper abdominal pain.
Instead of helping improve symptoms of anxiety or depression, Nuvigil has been seen in some people to actually make these conditions worse, or cause them in people who did not experience them previously. If this happens to you, then do not continue to take this medication, and speak with your doctor.
Many people experience mild side effects for the first few weeks after starting a new drug as their body adjusts. This is normal, and the side effects should subside after 2-3 weeks.
If side effects do not subside, then you may be taking too high of a dosage for your personal sensitivities. Speak with your doctor about trying a lower dosage.
Insomnia is a common effect that is not a true negative reaction to the drug, but rather is typically due to poor dosage timing. Provigil and Nuvigil both have very long half lives of between 12-15 hours and can still be active in the body many hours after taking. It is recommended to take dosages in the morning to allow stimulating effects to wear off and not cause sleep disturbances.
There is a possibility of developing one of a group of rare, but serious skin reactions when taking Nuvigil, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Research has found strong evidence that suggests some people with a genetic predisposition have a greater susceptibility to these reactions when they take certain medications, including Nuvigil.
Stop taking Nuvigil immediately and contact your doctor if you believe you are having a skin reaction. Symptoms include a fever, sore throat. body aches, and a spreading, blistering rash.
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Alternatives For Nuvigil
If you are frustrated by the laws and hassles associated with using Nuvigil for mood disorders, there are still other options which can provide relief, without having to turn to traditional anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds.
Nootropic supplements are compounds which can be utilized by the brain to produce substantial cognitive and mood improvements. Of course, a clear, calm mind is the first step towards easing depression and anxiety symptoms.
If you are set on experiencing Nuvigil effects on depression and anxiety, this can still be achieved by taking Adrafinil, another eugeroic compound which is closely related to Nuvigil. Adrafinil converts in the liver directly into Modafinil, which is the generic form of Provigil.
Adrafinil is legal to purchase in the U.S. and does not require a prescription. It provides the same freedom from distraction and social anxiety that other eugeroics deliver, helping make the symptoms of these very common conditions more manageable.
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- Schwartz JR, Roth T, Drake C. Armodafinil in the treatment of sleep/wake disorders. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2010
- Ketter TA, Yang R, Frye MA. Adjunctive armodafinil for major depressive episodes associated with bipolar I disorder. J Affect Disord. 2015
- Kane JM, Yang R, Youakim JM. Adjunctive armodafinil for negative symptoms in adults with schizophrenia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Schizophr Res. 2012
- Loland CJ, Mereu M, Okunola OM, Cao J, Prisinzano TE, Mazier S, Kopajtic T, Shi L, Katz JL, Tanda G, Newman AH. R-modafinil (armodafinil): a unique dopamine uptake inhibitor and potential medication for psychostimulant abuse. Biol Psychiatry. 2012
- Drake C, Gumenyuk V, Roth T, Howard R. Effects of armodafinil on simulated driving and alertness in shift work disorder. Sleep. 2014
Article last updated on: April 16th, 2018 by Nootriment
3 Comments
Hi,
First off, I came across your site and wanted to say thanks for providing a great resource to the mental health community.
I thought you might find this bipolar disorder fact sheet helpful for your readers, as it shows symptoms, treatment and stats about the disorder: http://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-disorder/fact-sheet
Naturally, I’d be delighted if you share this embeddable graphic on https://nootriment.com/nuvigil-depression-anxiety/ , and/or share it with your followers on social. Either way, keep up the great work !
All the best,
Maegan
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Maegan Jones | Content Coordinator
Healthline
Your most trusted ally in pursuit of health and well-being
I have been taking 75mg Nuvigil a day after a depression left me with excessive sleepiness. It is a wonderful pharmaceutical. I have had no side-effects. I realized that I only had nightmares for years, but Nuvigil has made me dream about regular or happy things too. It is important to take the pill early or else I have trouble falling asleep at night. If I feel rested I might skip a few days of treatment. I have no withdrawal or highs from the pills so they feel very safe for me. I would not like to be hooked on the pill although I probably will need to take it
I’ve had treatment resistant major depression for over 20 years. I’ve tried everything – including ECT and TMS and nothing worked, or it worked temporarily. I’ve been taking Armodafinil for about a year – the results are miraculous. I’m so busy doing things and actually enjoying them that there aren’t enough hours in the day. It has also let me feel contentment and peace of mind. My problem is that I have to continuously increase the dosage. Currently I’m up to over 650mg and I’ve been having some issues (side effects?) that aren’t tolerable. It doesn’t keep me from sleeping but when it wears off I’ve begun to drop into depression. It hits harder and wears of earlier in the evening now. And lately I’m having weak spells and feel dopey – don’t know if this is from the high dose. Very few doctors and medical professionals are even aware of the miraculous effects this drug has on my type of depression. It literally saved my life. My prescribing doctor will not prescribe a higher dose so I’m not able to continue increasing and no one knows how to keep it working, other than stop for awhile. I don’t know what to do. I can’t go back to the way things were before I started Nuvigil – I’ll die. Things are starting to look hopeless. If anyone knows how to help me I’d greatly appreciate it. It’s really a matter of life and death.