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Do we know enough about Nuvigil side effects to recommend the use of this powerful new nootropic drug?
A recent addition to the stable of popularly used cognitive enhancers, Nuvigil, also known under the generic name Armodafinil, was only approved by the FDA for safe use in 2007.
However, it’s user safety profile is very similar to the well-known pharmaceuticals Provigil. Based on the known effects of those drugs, plus doctor recommendations, we are able to deduce some of the potential risks and side effects of Nuvigil.
Read on to find out if the risks outweigh the benefits, and why doctors are reluctant to prescribe Nuvigil for its intelligence boosting properties, making the drug an internet grey market favorite.
Plus, we’ll recommend some other nootropic supplements which may achieve the same effects as Nuvigil without any side effects.
Energy
Cognition
Motivation- Wakefulness-boosting stimulant
- Enhances motivation and focus
- Shown to boost mental performance
Do We Know How Nuvigil Works?
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 purified, enantiopure version of the popular drug Provigil.
The generic forms of the two drugs are Armodafinil and Modafinil, respectively.
While we know exactly how Nuvigil is made – it is a reduced or purified form of Provigil, simplified at the isometric level – we still don’t know exactly how any of these compounds work in the human body.
Overall, Modafinil and Armodafinil raise brain and central nervous system Orexin and Histamine levels, causing the stimulation of various neurotransmitters and inhibition of GABAergic receptors.
It is thought to specifically influence all neurochemicals connected to sleep.
Armodafinil may interact with Dopamine as well. While it is not considered a Dopamine receptor agonist, it does block the transport of Dopamine, as well as prevent the re-uptake of excess Dopamine, leaving higher levels of the chemical in the brain.
These actions are responsible for Nuvigil effects like heightened wakefulness and intense mental clarity. If you buy Nuvigil for the express purpose of boosting mental focus and increasing the intensity of attention span, you won’t be disappointed.
Common Minor Nuvigil Side Effects
Nuvigil, just like its very close chemical relatives Provigil, Modafinil, and Adrafinil, does carry the risk of some minor side effects with regular use. On the whole, most people tolerate all of these drugs very well. An estimated 90% or more of patients report no side effects with this drug.
However, some individual sensitivities can cause stomach upset, dizziness, rapid heart beat, anxious energy and thoughts, or unwanted sleeplessness in some people. Most of these can be avoided with moderate doses.
Nuvigil interacts poorly with both alpha and beta blockers or any medication relating to blood pressure. It should not be taken in conjunction with any current liver meds.
Most users report that, while very effective, drugs like Nuvigil often have a subtle quality – cognition and attention span are improved so naturally that it never feels like one’s perception is altered or “high.” The general lack of noticeable side effects contributes to this natural sensation.
The five most commonly reported side effects from pooled double-blind placebo-controlled Nuvigil studies done sleep disorders are described below in detail.
1. Headaches
Headaches are the most commonly reported mild side effects of both Provigil and Nuvigil. There are some estimates that as many as half of all users will experience a headache from using Nuvigil at some point.
The exact cause of Nuvigil headaches is unknown. As with Provigil headaches, it is thought that a possible cause could be the elevated levels of Histamine caused by Nuvigil. These eugeroic compounds are known to activate the neuropeptide Orexin. The Orexin in turn stimulates the release of the neurotransmitter Histamine in the hypothalamus.
While the exact pathophysiology behind it is still being researched, it has been observed that elevated levels of Histamine can cause cluster headaches. It follows then that the elevated Histamine caused by Nuvigil use may also cause headaches.
Another possible cause of the headaches could be the immense levels of focus and concentration that Nuvigil is said to cause. It is possible that when being so focused on your work tasks you forget to take proper breaks to stretch. This can also be coupled with poor posture, which can lead to neck strain and headaches.
Additionally, many users report that they often forget to take breaks to eat and drink at normal times. Dehydration is a common source of headaches. Setting alarms for yourself throughout the day to remind you to eat and drink may help you stay hydrated and well fed.
While the reasoning behind it is unknown, some people have reported that taking a high quality choline supplement helps them relieve their Nuvigil headaches. Try using a source like Citicoline or Alpha GPC if you experience headaches when using Nuvigil to see if it helps.
The most common relief for headaches caused by Nuvigil is to take over-the-counter pain medications, such as the NSAID ibuprofen. For many people, these headaches typically subside after a few weeks of taking the drug, however for others it is a chronic issue.
Some users prefer not to take drugs like this on a long-term basis though due to the concern of elevated hepatotoxic enzymes, so you will need to weigh the pros and cons yourself.
2. Nausea/Digestive Issues
The second most reported Nuvigil side effect is nausea. Other digestive upsets have also been reported, especially diarrhea and dyspepsia (indigestion).
The exact cause of digestive issues caused by Nuvigil is unknown, and can vary person to person. Some people are generally just more sensitive to medications, and can have digestive upset when they take them. Some times the dosage is too high, and a lower dosage may help relieve some effects. Speak with your doctor about you side effects to determine if a lower dosage may help you.
Another common theory is that some digestive issues may be caused by dehydration. As mentioned above, some people forget to properly hydrate throughout the day due to Nuvigil’s concentration boosting effects. Many users also report that they need to keep very well hydrated when taking Nuvigil, over and above normal water intake.
As mentioned before, try setting alarms throughout the day to remind yourself to drink water. This can also help you remember to take breaks from work to stretch and walk around, or even get in some light exercise, which may help some digestive issues.
Another theory is that due to its stimulant-like effects, Nuvigil may speed up digestion, which could lead to indigestion and/or diarrhea. Similar effects have been reported by some users of traditional amphetamine based stimulants. If this is the case, once again, a lower dosage may help, and should be discussed with your doctor.
- Increases energy, wakefulness and motivation
- Boosts mental performance and focus
- Supports memory and cognition
3. Dizziness
Dizziness or lightheadedness is another minor side effect that some users report having when taking Nuvigil. Some people say that they feel dizzy just after taking the medication and that it recedes with time, while others say basically the opposite, reporting dizziness that stays throughout the day, and in some causes increases as the day goes on.
The exact cause of this dizziness is unknown, but there are a few different theories. One is that the changes in levels of hormones and neurotransmitters in the brain could be causing the effect.
Another theory is that changes in blood pressure could be to blame. Although fairly rare (and significantly less common then seen with amphetamine stimulants), Nuvigil can cause low blood pressure, which could lead to dizziness in some people.
One of the most common theories again leads back to dehydration. Many people who are not taking Nuvigil have reported feeling dizzy at times when they are dehydrated. It is important to drink large amounts of water to keep well hydrated and try and mitigate many common Nuvigil side effects.
4. Insomnia
Insomnia is a commonly reported Nuvigil side effect that in most cases is not actually a true adverse reaction to the drug. For many people, this effect is simply caused by poor timing of dosages.
Provigil and Nuvigil have very long half lives in the body, typically between 12-15 hours. This means that the effects of the drug can still be felt many hours after it is taken.
Taking your dosage first thing in the day (in the morning, before noon) is important for avoiding sleep disturbance issues like insomnia when you want to sleep at night. It is recommended that you take your dosage as early in the morning as possible. Some people have reported that they will wake up very early to take their dosage and then sleep again for up to a few hours as the drug kicks in.
When used for shift-work sleep disorder Nuvigil should be taken about 30-60 minutes before beginning a nighttime work shift. Some people with this disorder already struggle with insomnia when trying to sleep during the day, and any additional dosages taken during the shift could lead to further insomnia issues when trying to sleep.
When you first start taking Nuvigil, it can be common to experience insomnia even if you are taking your dosage in the morning. Most people say that this effect wears off as their body adjusts to the medication over a two to three week period.
If you have just started taking Nuvigil, or have been prescribed a new higher dosage than you took before, than give your body time to adjust. If you are still experiencing insomnia after a few weeks and you are taking your dosage early in the morning, than speak with your doctor about possible solutions.
5. Anxiety
Anxiety is a commonly reported side effect of Nuvigil. Some users have reported that they have a “fluttery” feeling in their chest, while others have reported cases as bad as full blown panic attacks (although that is fairly rare).
People who have anxiety issues to begin with before taking Nuvigil are often the ones who report the highest frequency of anxiety while taking Nuvigil. However, people who do not have any sort of diagnosed anxiety problem have reported this side effect as well.
The exact cause of this anxiety is unknown, but it is thought that it may be due to effects on the neurotransmitter GABA. While specific research has not been done on the effects of Nuvigil on GABA, there has been research done on Modafinil’s (Provigil) effect on GABA, and it is reasonable to extrapolate these findings to its derivative Armodafinil (Nuvigil).
It has been observed in animal trials that Modafinil decreases levels of GABA. This effect has not been studied in human trials, but it is reasonable the effect exists in humans as well.
GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the body that counteracts the effects of excitatory neurotransmitter Glutamate. Decreased levels of GABA have been observed in people with diagnosed anxiety disorders in research studies.
To combat anxiety caused by Nuvigil, some people recommend taking a lower dosage for a while and seeing if symptoms improve. In people experiencing anxiety issues when taking Nuvigil, it is also recommended not to consume caffeine while taking Nuvigil, as some people have said this combination makes it worse.
Taking the supplement L-Theanine has been said by some people to help reduce anxiousness caused by Nuvigil.
Serious Nuvigil Side Effects
More severe Nuvigil side effects such as bleeding, bruising, and liver toxicity can occur if the drug is combined with amphetamines, either prescription pills like Adderall, or street drugs, and this should be avoided. Some cardiovascular effects have been reported as well, including chest pain, heart palpitations, and blood pressure changes. Overall, these effects are rare.
Although quite rare, there is the possibility of developing one of a group of serious skin and mucous membrane conditions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS).
Scientific research has found strong evidence that some people have a genetic predisposition that makes them susceptible to these severe cutaneous reactions when they take certain medications. Some people have certain human leukocyte antigens that makes them susceptible to these conditions, and they are advised to avoid medications including antibiotics, anesthetics, cough and cold medicine, NSAIDS, and Provigil and Nuvigil.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is the most common of these conditions that forms as a drug reaction. Symptoms include a fever, body aches, sore throat, headaches, and a red or purple rash that normally is found by the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals, that spreads and eventually blisters.
These adverse reactions are very serious and potentially life threatening. It is advised that you stop taking Nuvigil and contact your doctor immediately if you suspect you may be having a reaction like this.
Best Nuvigil Dosages to Avoid Side Effects
Even though Nuvigil is considered to be far stronger than similar drugs such as Provigil, it does not produce more extreme side effects, as long as proper dosage is respected. For use in treating sleep disorders, doctors generally prescribe a maximum of 250 mg per day.
Nuvigil has a long half life and can last for as long as 12 or 14 hours in the body, so it is best to take the dosage early in the day, perhaps with breakfast. In the case of shift work disorder, patients are instructed to take their dose just prior to a nighttime work shift, in order to avoid Nuvigil side effects like possible unwanted sleeplessness due to improper dosage timing.
For nootropic uses of Nuvigil and other wakefulness supplements, much smaller doses are suggested. With 100 -150 mg per day, optimum cognitive effects can be achieved by most people. In fact, doses over 250 mg are not thought to increase benefits at all, so there is no reason to exceed this amount ever in a single day.
To extend the intensity of effects, it is more useful to split a dosage of 150 mg into three 50 mg parts and take them separately, again being careful to take the last dose at least 10 hours before bedtime – such as at 7am, 11am, and 1pm. As described earlier, taking a dosage too late in the day may lead to insomnia.
How Do You Get A Nuvigil Prescription?
In order to get a legal Nuvigil prescription, you must receive a diagnosis of one of several severe sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy, shift-work sleep disorder (SWSD), or obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).
People with narcolepsy and OSAHS experience excessive daytime sleepiness, which Nuvigil has been shown to help reduce.
People with SWSD experience excessive sleepiness at night due to a shifted work schedule that requires them to work at night. Nuvigil has been seen to improve their wakefulness and reduce their sleepiness, allowing them to be productive at work.
Any use other than the treatment of conditions like these is considered “off-label” and is very difficult to receive a prescription for. This is true even in the case of other mental conditions which may be helped by Nuvigil, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Both doctors and insurance companies are wary of unknown Nuvigil side effects, safety risks, and reactions when the drug is used for purposes other than the manufacturer intended. While it is possible to purchase Nuvigil without a prescription from an off-shore pharmacy website, patronizing these businesses is not recommended.
Without the protection of FDA oversight, the products sold at foreign pharmacy sites may be impure or fraudulent. Furthermore, U.S. Customs routinely seizes shipments from vendors like these, resulting in a substantial loss of money for consumers.
Are there Safe Nuvigil Alternatives?
There are better alternatives for anyone who is curious to sample the cognitive benefits of Nuvigil if they do not have a prescription. You could try one of several non-prescription nootropic supplements which produce similar concentration-boosting and thought-sharpening effects, such as Pramiracetam, Phenylpiracetam or Adrafinil.
Of all of these options, Adrafinil may be the one that users seek out the most. Adrafinil is the first in the line of compounds that led to the creation of Armodafinil Nuvigil. It was first developed by scientists in the 1970s.
Adrafinil is converted by liver enzymes directly into the compound Modafinil. This key ingredient in wakefulness drugs like Provigil delivers comparable effects to Nuvigil.
Adrafinil is completely legal, and easy to buy from reputable U.S. nootropic businesses. While Adrafinil is not quite as strong as Nuvigil, dosages will need to be slightly higher. It is also important to monitor liver enzyme levels if taking Adrafinil for extended periods of time.
Another common non-prescription Nuvigil alternative is using one of the Racetams. The Racetams are a family of related compounds that are all derived from Piracetam, the first nootropic ever developed.
Piracetam has been said to improve learning ability, memory, and executive function through positive modulation of the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine. The other derivatives of Piracetam – Aniracetam, Oxiracetam, Pramiracetam, Phenylpiracetam – are all more powerful than Piracetam, and typically have additional effects.
For example, Pramiracetam is said to be 40-50 times as potent as Piracetam, and has strong mental energy boosting effects that make it an ideal substitute for the stimulant-like effects of Nuvigil.
Speak to your doctor to learn more about these nootropics and to determine which may be appropriate for you to use.
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- [No authors listed] Armodafinil (Nuvigil) for wakefulness. Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2010
- Spencer TJ, Madras BK, Bonab AA, Dougherty DD, Clarke A, Mirto T, Martin J, Fischman AJ. A positron emission tomography study examining the dopaminergic activity of armodafinil in adults using [¹¹C]altropane and [¹¹C]raclopride. Biol Psychiatry. 2010
- Darwish M, Bond M, Yang R, Hellriegel ET, Robertson P Jr. Evaluation of the potential for a pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction between armodafinil and ziprasidone in healthy adults. Clin Drug Investig. 2014
- Darwish M, Bond M, Ezzet F. Armodafinil and modafinil in patients with excessive sleepiness associated with shift work disorder: a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model for predicting and comparing their concentration-effect relationships. J Clin Pharmacol. 2012
- Bavle A, Phatak A. Armodafinil induced mania in schizophrenia. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2014
Article last updated on: April 16th, 2018 by Nootriment
1 Comment
I got a serious welt type rash all over my arms from taking Nuvigil. It was extremely itchy. I guess I am allergic to it.