DESCRIPTION
Nuvigil 150 mg is a medication that contains armodafinil. Armodafinil is a medication that works by inhibiting the dopamine transporter (DAT) and increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain. It can be administered with or without food.Â
MECHANISM OF ACTIONÂ
- Histamine: Armodafinil promotes the release of histamine in the hypothalamus, enhancing natural alertness.Â
- Norepinephrine & Serotonin: It mildly increases the levels of norepinephrine and serotonin to support alertness and cognitive processing.Â
- Dopamine regulation: Armodafinil binds to the dopamine transporter (DAT) with relatively low affinity. By blocking DAT, it inhibits the reuptake of dopamine into neurons which leads to a general increase in extracellular, synaptic dopamine levels in the specific brain regions.
SIDE EFFECTS
Common side effects are:
- Fatigue
- Palpitations
- Agitation
- Loss of appetite
- Numbness and tingling
- FeverÂ
- Upset stomach
- Contact dermatitis
- Attention disturbances
Less common side effects are:
- Skin inflammation
- BronchospasmÂ
- Reversible psychosis
- Difficulty in swallowing
Serious side effects are:
- Irregular heartbeat
- Agitation
- ConfusionÂ
- DepressionÂ
INTERACTIONSÂ
Severe interactions of Nuvigil 150 mg include:
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAO) like Isocarboxazid, phenelzine, TranylcypromineÂ
- Antibiotic like Linezolid
- Antiviral medications like Ritonavir, Ombitasvir, etc.Â
Other interactions include:
- Hormonal contraceptives
- Anticonvulsants like cyclosporine
- Anticoagulants like warfarin, heparin, etc.Â
- CYP2C19 medications like Omeprazole, Diazepam, Propranolol.Â
- CYP3A4/5 medications like some sedatives and other medications.Â
PRECAUTIONS & WARNINGSÂ
Before taking Nuvigil 150 mg, patients should discuss their medical history and current medications with a healthcare professional. Particular caution may be appropriate in people with:
- A history of heart disease or cardiovascular problems
- High blood pressure
- A history of depression, psychosis, mania, or other psychiatric symptoms
- Liver impairment, particularly severe hepatic impairment
- Previous allergic reactions to armodafinil or modafinil
- Pregnancy or plans to become pregnant
- Breastfeeding
CONCLUSION
Nuvigil 150 mg contains armodafinil, a wakefulness-promoting medicine used to improve excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work disorder. It works primarily by affecting dopamine signaling in the brain and is generally taken once daily according to the prescribed regimen.Â
FAQs
1. How quickly does Nuvigil work?
Nuvigil starts working in between 30 to 60 minutes after taking the medication.Â
2. What are the side effects of Nuvigil?
Headache, palpitations, agitation, loss of appetite, numbness and tingling, fever, upset stomach, etc.Â
3. What is Nuvigil used for?
Nuvigil is used for excessive sleep disorders like Narcolepsy, Shift Worker Sleep Disorder and Sleep Apnea.Â
4. Does Nuvigil cause weight gain?
No. Nuvigil 150 mg does not cause weight gain.Â
5. Is Nuvigil good for ADHD?
Nuvigil is not officially approved for ADHD but some physicians prescribe it for ADHD.Â
Allen Lewis –
Nuvigil worked well for keeping me awake during the day. I felt more functional and alert, although I had to take it early enough because it seemed to interfere with my sleep later.