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Nuvigil is a smart drug with stimulant-like qualities manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Cephalon, Inc. Nuvigil is a brand name of the compound Armodafinil.
It was approved by the FDA in 2007 for the treatment of narcolepsy. It is also approved for shift work sleep disorder and obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome.
This drug – also known simply as Armodafinil, as well as Acronite, Armoda, Armod, Artvigil, Neoresotyl, R-Modawake, and Waklert – is considered to be a powerful wakefulness agent and is used off-label for increasing energy, focus and alertness.
Research continues into its possible effectiveness at treating for ADD, ADHD, depression, and schizophrenia. Another potential use is for jet lag.
Like its predecessor Provigil (Modafinil), Nuvigil is used as a nootropic drug because it is believed to enhance mental performance. The effects of Nuvigil are actually quite similar to Provigil, although most people find that Nuvigil is a bit more powerful and effective.
Energy
Cognition
Motivation- Wakefulness-boosting stimulant
- Enhances motivation and focus
- Shown to boost mental performance
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
Armodafinil is the latest in a line of compounds that were first developed in the 1970s. In 1974, a series of benzhydryl sulfinyl compounds were developed by scientists at Lafon Laboratories in France. One of these compounds was Adrafinil.
Adrafinil is the prodrug of Modafinil. During testing on Adrafinil to determine its mechanism of action in the body, Modafinil was discovered. It was found that Adrafinil is transported to and metabolized in the liver into its component parts. The main active compound in Adrafinil was determined to be Modafinil.
Lafon continued to research and produce Adrafinil and Modafinil for a time. When it was possible to produce Modafinil directly, and it had been tested and approved for human use, production of Adrafinil slowed and eventually was ceased (it is now made again by other manufacturers).
Lafon was purchased by Cephalon Inc in 2001. Cephalon in turn was acquired by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries in 2011. To this day, Cephalon, as a subsidiary of Teva, produces the popular and original name brand version of Modafinil, Provigil.
When the patents on Provigil were getting close to expiring, Cephalon began work on developing a more refined product that would help them to keep their market share. This was how Armodafinil was developed.
Modafinil is comprised of two identical mirror isomers of the same molecular compound (similar to right and left hands being the same but flipped on one axis). These are known as enantiomers, and are labeled as R-Modafinil and S-Modafinil. Modafinil is a racemic compound, meaning that it is composed of both enantiomers in equal proportions.
The R-enantiomer has been determined to be the faster and longer acting, more pharmacologically active and stable stereoisomer of Modafinil. Armodafinil is simply the R-enantiomer on its own without the S-Modafinil isomer – hence the name of this new compound, Armodafinil, from R-Modafinil.
Therefore, we can describe Armodafinil as a simplified enantiopure version of Modafinil, so derived to produce more of the positive effects with fewer negative side effects. The name brand version of Armodafinil produced by Cephalon is called Nuvigil.
Nuvigil Armodafinil Effects
Although the precise mechanism of action for this drug is not entirely understood, there are some theories as to how it works. Modafinil has been seen to have an effect on a variety of neurotransmitters in the brain including Dopamine, Serotonin, Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Orexin, and Histamine.
Nuvigil is similar in structure and activity to Modafinil, Some of Nuvigil’s effects on neurotransmitters have been observed, and it is hypothesized that it most likely affects others in similar ways to Provigil. producing a stimulant effect on the brain.
Eugeroics like Provigil and Nuvigil have stimulant-like effects in the brain. However, unlike traditional stimulants, there are not usually negative effects associated with taking Nuvigil like jitteriness or a nervous feeling. Users of this drug say that it gives them a more natural sense of simply being awake and aware, enabling people to be more productive and focused.
Modafinil provides a significant energy increase by affecting hormones in the brain related to sleep cycles, specifically Orexin and Histamine. It is thought that Armodafinil works similarly.
Orexin is a neuropeptide that is involved in the regulation of sleep and wakefulness, arousal, and appetite. Histamine is a neurotransmitter that is also involved in the regulation of these same functions, as well as others.
Modafinil strongly activates Orexin-secreting neurons and Orexin neurons in the brain. In turn, the Orexin stimulates the release of Histamine in the hypothalamus area of the brain.
Another mechanism through which Nuvigil has been seen to cause effects is by increasing the amount of circulating Dopamine in the brain through the action of blocking its transport and hence reducing its reuptake into the nerves. In other words, by blocking its transport, the amount of this powerful brain chemical is increased.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that influences a number of functions and processes related to mood and movement. It is also involved in attention switching and so-called executive abilities that relate to concentration and focus.
Prescribed Nuvigil Uses
Just like Modafinil, Armodafinil is categorized as a Schedule IV prescription drug by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. It is considered a prescription drug in many other countries as well. Like its predecessor Provigil before it, Nuvigil has been tested and approved for human use for a few serious sleep disorders.
Provigil was approved in 1998 as a treatment for narcolepsy. It was later approved to treat shift-work sleep disorder, and as an adjunct treatment for obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome. Nuvigil was first introduced in 2007, and has since been approved to treat the same conditions as Provigil.
The primary use and benefit of the Nuvigil drug is that of a wakefulness agent. It is capable of producing an increase in energy which can sometimes be significant. This can help people to function during the day despite a number of sleep problems and difficulties.
Nuvigil is used to help treat those suffering from narcolepsy. People with this serious neurological sleep disorder experience excessive daytime sleepiness and often fall asleep randomly multiple times per day. Nuvigil has been seen to significantly reduce excessive daytime sleepiness and increase wakefulness in narcoleptics compared to placebo in multiple studies.
In one double-blind placebo-controlled research trial, patients with narcolepsy were given either a placebo or Nuvigil. It was seen that the Nuvigil patients has significantly increased mean sleep latency times as measured by the Maintenance of Wakefulness test, and scores on the Epworth Sleepiness scale were significantly improved compared to placebo patients.
This drug is also particularly useful for those engaged in shift work that have irregular sleeping patterns and are often not able to sleep for regular lengths of time. People with shift-work sleep disorder (SWSD) often experience excessive sleepiness while awake and working at night, and can sometimes experience insomnia when trying to sleep during the day.
In one study, patients with SWSD were given a dose of either a placebo or Nuvigil 30-60 minutes before the start of a nighttime work shift or nighttime testing in the laboratory. It was observed that the Armodafinil significantly improved mean sleep latency times from baseline times on the Multiple Sleep Latency test compared to placebo. Patient sleep diaries also reported that sleepiness during lab shifts, work shifts, and commuting was significantly better better with Armodafinil.
Nuvigil is also quite effective at helping relieve the excessive daytime sleepiness associated with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Nuvigil has been tested as an adjunct treatment in patients who were being treated for their OSAHS with a nCPAP (nasal continuous positive airway pressure) machine worn at night, but were still experiencing residual daytime sleepiness.
It was observed that compared to placebo, Armodafinil significantly increased sleep latency from baseline on the Maintenance of Wakefulness test, and significantly improved scores on the Clinical Global Impression of Change scale and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.
- Increases energy, wakefulness and motivation
- Boosts mental performance and focus
- Supports memory and cognition
Common Off-Label Uses of Armodafinil Nuvigil
The FDA has not approved Nuvigil for the treatment of any other conditions besides the sleep disorders described above, but there is a lot of continued research into other applications.
This includes using Nuvigil as a treatment for the symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, and even schizophrenia. A number of users also report that this drug is surprisingly effective at helping to combat symptoms of jet lag.
Nuvigil is also commonly used as a brain booster or cognitive enhancer. Although this is technically considered an ‘off-label’ use, it has been shown to be very effective in these areas. Many users who have had brain fog or fairly consistent fatigue have found this to be effective.
It is known to improve concentration, focus, memory, and possibly even lengthen the attention span. Other reported beneficial cognitive effects include improved reasoning, the ability to accomplish just about anything, enhanced mood and motivation, and even the ability to access mental connections faster.
There has not been much research done studying Nuvigil’s cognitive enhancing effects alone, but some research studies on sleep disorders have tested for these effects.
One study using Nuvigil for narcolepsy found that there were statistically significant improvements in memory, attention, and fatigue as measured on the Cognitive Drug Research battery of tests. Another study on SWSD found that patients who received Nuvigil had significantly improved scores in standardized tests of memory and attention compared to placebo patients.
Other Nuvigil Benefits
In addition to being used a nootropic compound, Nuvigil has several other benefits. Body builders and other weight training athletes have found that it allows them to work out harder, pushing through their pain barriers, and perhaps even speeding up recovery abilities.
There is also evidence suggesting that this drug is an appetite suppressant, which may mean that it is an effective weight loss drug (especially when the increased energy is considered).
While you do need a prescription to legally purchase Nuvigil, you can buy the related compound Adrafinil without a prescription. Adrafinil is a precursor to Modafinil and it is legal to use in the USA and is significantly cheaper than prescriptions for both Nuvigil or Provigil (sometimes even with patient assistance programs, prescriptions can be many hundreds of dollars a month).
Nuvigil Dosage
How much should you take to receive the full scope of Nuvigil benefits?
This is something best determined by your doctor or another qualified medical professional who can tell you if this smart drug is right for you depending upon your intended purpose.
However, using this drug to help stay awake during the day after having insomnia or another related sleep problem typically means a dose of between 50 and 250 mg. This would also be typically taken in the morning.
If you are using it to help stay awake during your shift, then the same approximate dosage would apply. Just take it about an hour before starting your shift.
You do not want to take this drug too late in the day as it may make it difficult to fall asleep at an appropriate hour.
Nuvigil Side Effects
Nuvigil is considered safe and generally quite well-tolerated, especially among healthy adults. Most of the more serious side effects are quite rare. As reported from pooled research studies and online user reviews, there are some common minor side effects to be aware of, including:
- headaches
- dizziness
- nausea
- insomnia
- anxiety
- diarrhea
- dry mouth
- depression
- indigestion
- fatigue
- heart palpitations
- upper abdominal pain
When taking a new medication for the first time, it is common to have some minor side effects while your body’s physiology adjusts to the new drug. If you experience side effects in the first few weeks of taking Nuvigil this is entirely normal and should subside.
If the side effects do not subside after a few weeks, then it is possible that the dosage you have been recommended is too high for you. Speak with your doctor about trying a lower dosage to help reduce and eliminate side effects.
If your side effects cease on the lower dosage but benefits decrease, then consult your doctor about increasing the dosage back to normal levels. You will typically be advised to slowly increase the dosage over a week to two week period, noting side effects. If side effects return on the higher dosage, then this drug may not be right for your needs.
One commonly reported side effect, insomnia, is most typically not a true negative reaction to the drug, but simply due to poor dosage timing. Due to the relatively long half-life of Nuvigil (approximately 13 hours) taking a dosage too late in the day can cause stimulating effects to still be felt into the night.
It is recommended to take your dosage as early in the morning as possible to help avoid sleep disturbances at night. Some users have even reported waking up early to take their dosage and then sleeping for a while longer before getting up when they need to to help the drug become active sooner and the effects wear off before evening/night time.
It may also be possible, although quite rare, to see allergic reactions such as hives, swelling of the lips, face, tongue, and even difficulty breathing when taking Nuvigil. If any of these present themselves, immediately discontinue use and seek medical attention.
Another very rare reaction that may occur in some people is one of a group of skin and mucous membrane reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome. There is strong evidence supporting the theory that some people have a genetic predisposition that makes then susceptible to developing these conditions if they take certain medications. These medications include antibiotics, anesthetics, cough and cold medications, NSAIDS, and Provigil or Nuvigil.
If you have a fever and a spreading, blistering rash concentrated near the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals, then stop taking Nuvigil and contact your doctor immediately, or go to an emergency room.
Contraindications
Nuvigil is contraindicated with a number of prescription and over-the-counter medications, including, but not limited to:
- ethinyl estradiol and other steroidal and hormonal contraceptives
- midazolam
- triazolam
- cyclosporine
- phenytoin,
- propranolol
- clomipramine
- omeprazole
- diazepam
- Warfarin
- MAOIs
- ibuprofen
- acetaminophen
- cough and cold medications containing guaifenesin, hydrocodone, phenylephrine, chlorpheniramine, pseudoephedrine, etc.
Nuvigil has been seen to either negatively react with these medications and cause adverse effects, cause these medications to be ineffective or less effective then they should be, or cause these medications to be eliminated more quickly from the body then they should be (which may cause them to be ineffective).
When you are prescribed this medication, your doctor should speak with you about any possible interactions with your current medications. Contact your doctor before starting any new medications to help determine if there are any possible interactions with your Nuvigil prescription.
Non-Prescription Nuvigil Alternatives
Getting a prescription for Nuvigil can be difficult. Most prescriptions are only written for the approved on-label sleep disorders described previously. Sometimes prescriptions are written for select off-label conditions such as ADHD, but this is up to individual doctor’s discretion, and not many doctors will write these prescriptions.
There are many off-shore online pharmacies that will sell Armodafinil without a prescription. This drug is an over-the-counter medication in some countries (e.g. Mexico and India)and it is legal for them to sell without a prescription.
However when it is imported to another country, the laws of that country then apply. So importing a prescription drug to the USA without a prescription typically does not end well. Without being able to provide proof of a prescription, the product can be confiscated by customs officials, and you may be placed on a DEA watchlist.
As well, another risk of these online pharmacies is that even if you do end up receiving your product, you will not be able to determine if its is genuine. Manifacturing and quality assurance protocols are often not enforced and it can be impossible to know if the product you get is free from contaminants and genuinely Armodafinil without getting lab analysis done.
Therefore, many people who want to experience the nootropic benefits of Nuvigil but cannot get a prescription and do not want to risk buying from an international online pharmacy will use an alternative such as Adrafinil or one of the Racetams.
As described before, Adrafinil is the prodrug of Modafinil. After an initial conversion process while it is broken down in the liver, Adrafinil becomes Modafinil in the body.
Because it is not as potent as Modafinil, a higher dosage must be taken to get the same effects as a lower dosage of Modafinil. When the proper dosage is taken, users report that Adrafinil has very similar effects as Modafinil.
Because of how it is broken down in the liver, there is the possibility of the buildup of hepatotoxic enzymes if Adrafinil is used on a continuous, extended basis. Therefore, it is often recommended to only be taken on an occasional, as needed basis, when an extra mental boost is needed for a special event.
Another option is using one of the Racetams. This group of compounds are all based on the compound Piracetam, which was developed in the 1960s and is considered the first nootropic.
Piracetam has been observed in research to have effects on the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine, and may have positive effects on memory and general cognition. The other Racetams – Aniracetam, Oxiracetam, Pramiracetam, Phenylpiracetam – are all stronger derivatives of Piracetam that typically have additional benefits in addition to effects on the cholinergic system.
For example, Pramiracetam is considered to be 30 times as potent as Piracetam, and is known for increasing strongly mental energy and alertness for up to 8 hours, making it an ideal nootropic substitute for Nuvigil.
Both Adrafinil and the Racetams are unscheduled, unregulated compounds in the United States. FDA laws on the sale of such compounds can make them difficult to find for sale sometimes, but they are entirely legal to buy and use, and are available from a variety of specialized nootropic vendors online.
Nuvigil Review
Nuvigil is an incredibly powerful drug, even more potent than Modafinil from which it was derived. It has been found effective in the treatment of a number of medical concerns and has noted nootropic properties.
However, in order to use it legally in most countries you will need a prescription and the cost of this drug can be quite prohibitive.
Some individuals will turn to Adrafinil as a legal alternative to Nuvigil, but this is something you should research first extensively before decided to go down this pathway.
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Article last updated on: April 13th, 2018 by Nootriment