Nuvigil User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)
Nuvigil has an average rating of 7.1 out of 10 from a total of 155 reviews on Drugs.com. 64% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 16% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Nuvigil
- Anonymous
- December 23, 2011
For Bipolar Disorder "Nuvigil is a great medication. I have bipolar disorder mixed state. I was often drowsy before taking Nuvigil. The first few days of taking 250 mg of Nuvigil, I felt better than ever. I was working out at the gym for an hour. Before taking the medication, I couldn't even run. Depression sucked the life out of me. One of the bad side effects of Nuvigil is it induces mania/hypomania. I became hypomanic until my mood would drop down to depression, and I had to take a mood stabilizer in order to normalize my mood."
- N3rd1...
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- February 28, 2017
For Narcolepsy "I have been taking nuvigil since 2012 started on provigil built a tolerance against it in 2 months. I take 250 mg a day but I split the pill and take each half at specific times usually between 6-9 am the other at 3pm to 6pm (depends when I took the first one) seems to help me stay awake a little more that way. It lasts for about 1-2 hours on me with each half."
Frequently asked questions
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- Anonymous
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- February 20, 2015
For Shift Work Sleep Disorder "Taking Nuvigil about 8 years for hypersomnia and SWD. It has greatly improved my quality of life. I was experiencing the insomnia that could result from this medicine, but once I found out the best time in my schedule to take it, insomnia is rarely an issue. I am grateful my doctor talked me into taking this medication so long ago."
- Posta...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- June 9, 2016
For Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "I have severe sleep apnea and was put on a CPAP machine. I never felt like it did any good,was still tired as heck. Dr.put me on Nuvigil and it is great. Some days I am still tires but not like before."
Are you taking this medicine?
- mdd
- August 15, 2011
For Depression "Started at 150 mg, took half a day and felt like a new person - it changed my life. Quickly found I need to take the full tablet to get the same effect. Three months ago, doctor increased to 250 mg, take full tablet, but the effect only lasts 3-4 hours. Your body becomes immune and needs more and more. And now I 'crash' early afternoon and become very depressed. Took appetite away, lost 20 lbs in a little over a year."
- Anonymous
- Taken for less than 1 month
- July 26, 2017
For Narcolepsy "I am 38 and I have been taking this medicine two weeks and I am having serious problem breathing and getting a deep breath in, my inhaler does not help. I have diarrhea and my face has broken out worse than it ever did when I was a teenager. I have also had random pounding, sharp, shooting headaches come out of no where."
- Kmpor...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- June 10, 2014
For Narcolepsy "I was diagnosed a year ago. I have cataplexy as well. I've been taking 250 mg daily of Nuvigil for about 8 months, and I'm very happy with it. The only complaint is that (as another person said) it doesn't last all day, I also crash out in the afternoon. If you have this problem, I suggest eliminating idle time. I have noticed that if I keep myself busy, I have no problem going through the day normally. I haven't experienced any side effects whatsoever. Most of the other medications may keep you awake all day, but seeing as the side effects can be devastating for many people, I'll take the extra effort to keep my idle time to a minimum, and unlike the other medicines I've tried, I don't feel like I need a higher dose every 3 months."
- jayski
- April 27, 2016
For Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "Prescribed to help with feeling exhausted due to suspected sleep apnea. Having a sleep test later this month. In the meantime, the doctor felt Nuvigil may be of benefit. The drug had me bouncing off the walls for the first couple of days, but I did feel better - alert and with more energy than I'd had in quite some time. I was very pleased, but then, disappointingly, after day four of being on the drug, I began to experience difficulty swallowing and my lips became numb. My throat then began to close, and I was having difficulty breathing. My wife rushed me to the emergency room, where I eventually passed out. I was pumped full of Benadryl and Prednisone until my breathing began to return to normal. I felt the drug was working until the reaction."
- DK2727
- August 5, 2013
For Narcolepsy "I've been on Nuvigil for 4 years, and it's stopped being as effective. I'm currently on 125 mg twice a day and 37.5 mg Adipex twice a day. The Adipex has absolutely helped my weight (down 14 lbs in 15 days, 40 lbs to go), but not much help with the wakefulness. I'm falling asleep in the afternoon, and driving is a nightmare. It takes A LOT for insurance to cover. Without all the hoops my doctor has agreed to jump through, it would be $685 per month."
- Anonymous
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- May 14, 2012
For Narcolepsy "I have taken 250 mg daily of Nuvigil for two years now. Without/before it, I couldn't think straight, I dropped stuff, couldn't perform the simplest daily functions. Nuvigil has given me my life back! I couldn't drive for a year, I can now. My narcolepsy is pretty bad, and if I miss one day of the Nuvigil, I can't function. By the afternoon, I can't stay awake or hold on to anything. The other medicine I was on didn't even compare to Nuvigil!"
- laura...
- September 10, 2010
For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "I have chronic fatigue with my MS. I tried Provigil several months ago, but it gave me a severe headache, and I felt spaced out. Tried Nuvigil just today and felt jittery in the early part of the day and a bit light-headed, but I think I'll stick with it and see if I get the benefits others describe. I didn't take a nap as usual today, and I hope to feel more focused and energetic with my job soon."
- Anony...
- February 16, 2013
For Bipolar Disorder "I just recently started being treated for bipolar. And also just started taking Nuvigil, it has helped me so much. I don't just want to sleep, it has made me feel better (normal). I am kind of grateful that my doctor started treating me!"
- bosto...
- August 10, 2009
For Drowsiness "I have used Provigil for about 6 years for daytime sleepiness/fatigue. About 2 weeks ago, I began taking Nuvigil instead. The effect is definitely longer-lasting by several hours, and initially, it seemed more potent yet 'cleaner' in terms of side effects than Provigil. However, more recently, when I've taken it after a night of poor sleep, I've had to increase the dose, and I get a lot of tension headaches, as with Provigil. 150 mg lasted all day at first, now I've had to take a little more. Still, I'd rate it an improvement over Provigil - how much so, time will tell."
- gigan...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- June 10, 2012
For Fibromyalgia "I took this to help with the endless, debilitating fatigue I have from fibromyalgia. It didn't relieve my physical or mental fatigue at all, but it did keep me awake until three in the morning (I took it about 11 a.m.). I felt jittery and feverish (no actual fever, though). It kept me going all day, but I still had the heavy, uncomfortable feelings of physical and mental fatigue."
- dlswen
- January 16, 2013
For Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "I have used a C-PAP for about 4 years. Before that, I was on 2 liters of oxygen at night for 6 years. I always had some daytime sleepiness, but handled it with caffeine and, more recently, energy drinks. The sleepiness was getting worse, and I was having microsleeps during the day. Losing consciousness at work for a few seconds, waking and not knowing whether it was 3 seconds or 10 minutes. My sleep was good with the C-PAP, I thought, and the doctor read the chip from it, and it said it was good too. I was prescribed 150 mg of Nuvigil. It was as if half of my circuit breakers were off, and someone flipped them all back on. Startling, to say the least. The first 2 days, I had a low-grade headache. Had to cut way back on coffee. Miracle!"
- Anonymous
- January 16, 2010
For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "I never have side effects from medicines, so I foolishly took Nuvigil without reading the literature. Couldn't figure out where the headaches, fever, and general feeling of 'being sick' came from. Palpitations, the tingling in extremities, feeling as though my mind was always two steps ahead of my reactions... just too much. I feel fortunate nothing worse happened."
- KK-Sa...
- May 7, 2011
For ADHD "I've tried them all-Adderall, Ritalin, Focalin, etc. Nuvigil is somewhat effective, but I find I can only use it when I'm working alone. Too much people interaction is tough. It lasts so long, which can be good, but sometimes not. Even if I take it at 5:30 a.m., I feel like I can't drink even a 1/2 glass of wine in the evening. Also, sometimes I feel very dizzy in the afternoon when I'm on the drug. I'm only taking 40 mg."
- MS Gr...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- August 19, 2015
For Shift Work Sleep Disorder "My Neuro prescribed these for the Holy Trinity: MS Fatigue + Uhtoff's Penomenon + Ten Hour Grave Shifts. She suggested Provigil or Nuvigil. And after learning I work 10-hour shifts; went for Nuvigil because it lasts longer. I totally had the "Beginner's High." I was a little manic; but staying up through my shift with only a bit of body tiredness. I have an easier time doing my complex, brain-consuming job (Network Engineer). I can fall asleep on schedule, and stay down for the most part. As the drug has settled in; I'm not manic; but I am more upbeat and responsive. Overall, It's working. I sometimes have yawning fits, but I don't feel sleepy. Costs were reduced to $10/mo through Insurance (UHC) + Teva's Savings Program."
- CFS...
- February 17, 2011
For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "My nervous system is extremely sensitive to this medicine. However, I take a fourth of a 150 mg tablet every 5 hrs or so. This keeps my nervous system in check and my POTS symptoms subside. Sometimes it gives me cold hands and feet and anxiety, however, it is worth that compared to the brain fog with POTS."
- Anonymous
- July 2, 2011
For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "I have been on Temodar 315 mg for 5 days, a maximum dose of Avastin every other week for 8 months, and will continue for 4 more months before going on just Avastin. I had a cancerous brain tumor removed, then radiation. All of these treatments cause 'profound fatigue,' yet no relief for this is covered by insurance. Physically, I can function fine except for the fatigue. My condition is not really curable at this point in time, but I want to at least be able to do something with the time I have left, even if it's nothing more than taking a walk with my wife. 150 mg daily of Nuvigil has allowed me to do this. Medicare nor my supplement cover it. Ritalin shot my blood pressure up to 200/100 and a trip to the ER."
- Disap...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- April 22, 2013
For Shift Work Sleep Disorder "This medicine does a great job! I thought, 'Wow, I've finally found something to help me make it through the night without side effects. Almost.' On my second prescription, I developed scattered hives. My doctor said to take an antihistamine and try again, since it hadn't done this before. I thought that might work until I got hives in more and more places each time I took it (I only take it when needed). When I developed the hives in very personal places, that's when I decided I have no choice but to not take it. I don't know why it took so long to cause an allergic reaction. I wish it didn't, because it really does work great. I'm hoping to find something else that does the same thing that I'm not allergic to."
- Lacie...
- January 28, 2013
For Narcolepsy "I took Nuvigil for a little over a year. It changed my life. I have had chronic fatigue for 13 years, and the Nuvigil gave me the energy to live a normal life. I had a few side effects, but being awake was more important to me. Occasionally, I would sleep lightly or stay up until 2 a.m. The more noticeable side effect was the fogginess. I would often forget what I was doing, why I walked into the other room, and I couldn’t get words out quick enough. I always had the “it's stuck at the tip of my tongue” feeling when talking because I couldn’t remember certain words. Overall, I was very satisfied with this medicine, and it was effective. Once I lost my insurance, I couldn’t afford to take it anymore. $565 a month is a bit much."
- Scoop...
- October 2, 2010
For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "Wow, since taking Nuvigil, I am able to task busily all day without an afternoon nap and general fatigue. It also has increased my adult cardio activity beautifully (if you know what I mean). I was a little jittery the first day and waited a week for a second try. Now, 4 days into it and awesome. Hope it stays working like this."
- Jake...
- November 9, 2011
For Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "Wow, I feel normal again. I had been living on 5 hours of sleep due to sleep apnea fears for years. I got tested and was given a CPAP machine. I felt great for about a month, then tired. I started sleeping 9 hours a day and drinking tons of coffee and soft drinks. Nothing helped. I went to my regular MD, and all blood work was good. Was told to start working out. Problem was I was too tired. I went back to sleep. MD gave me Nuvigil. Like I said, WOW. I did have a few rough days when I started taking the 250 mg pills, but it was nice to stay awake and have a life. Side effects (headaches and dry mouth) are going away."
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.
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For Narcolepsy "I'm a 21-year-old college student. I was diagnosed with narcolepsy without cataplexy recently, even though it's been there basically my whole life. I'm currently on 250 mg Nuvigil in the morning, and he's going to add another medication soon to help my brain sleep at night since I have such anxiety levels and it affects my sleep. It has helped me stay awake in class, but I still can't focus. I really don't feel much difference. I still take naps a few times a day, and I feel like the medication wears off by around 2:00 PM, and then I'm falling asleep again. The side effects I'm feeling are daily migraines, extreme cotton mouth, and sometimes an upset stomach."