Armodafinil and Drowsiness: What Users Say

• mds...
• January 14, 2016

For ADHD "I was diagnosed with ADD as a child, but my parents never put me on the drugs. At 30, I decided to see how the other half lived. Concerta, Vyvanse, Focalin, etc., I've been prescribed them all. Most are pretty effective, but the jitters, nerves, sleeplessness, etc., were rough. I was prescribed Nuvigil because I didn't want the amphetamine base anymore and I had heard about it. Insurance wasn't happy, but it was approved. It is fantastic. My only complaint, and I'm guessing it's pretty rare, is that it makes me sleepy for the first week or so until my body adjusts. After that, clarity. No jitters, no moodiness, no sleep issues, nada. The mood-elevating effects are nice too. It might not work for many this way, but I would be lost without it."

• Mel...
• November 26, 2010

Armodafinil for Depression "I have suffered from clinical depression for years. I barely have enough energy to get out of bed. My house is a mess and so am I. My MD put me on 75 mg of Nuvigil and the effects were amazing and instant. The only side effect I had was a mild headache and sleeplessness which both went away after a few days. I am gradually getting more energy and feeling more optimistic. I can see why the Caphalon is investigating this drug for treatment of depression by the FDA. My biggest problem is the cost, as I have no insurance. I can't pay 1/3 of my income each month for a pill. I qualify for the patient assistance program, so will try that. Otherwise I don't know what to do, as the MD has only given me perhaps a month of samples."

• Ste...
• March 28, 2013

Armodafinil for Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "I have OSAH, and for the couple of years before this medicine, I couldn't drive more than 1 hour or focus at work. I would fall asleep regardless of the amount of sleep I got at night. My CPAP helped, but I still dozed off during the day. Since Nuvigil, things are better, but I still have some sleepiness if I have a rough week of less than 8 hours of sleep at night. Insurance pays most, but thank you to the manufacturer who helps cover a portion, or else it would be costly."

• DK2...
• August 5, 2013

Armodafinil 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."

• Xyz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2020

For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "I have been taking this drug for about 2 months without any significant improvement with my 'always feeling drowsy' as well as chronic fatigue syndrome. I started with 150 mg a day, and my dose has increased. Although it keeps me awake, it does not help much with my 'feeling of lethargy and fatigue.' I can suggest this medicine to those who only suffer from excessive drowsiness or daytime sleeping. Others may want to find different substitutes, e.g., methylphenidate. Note that I was prescribed armodafinil by a professional psychiatrist, and I do not advise or promote anyone to self-medicate based on my experience."

• Sle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2019

For Drowsiness "I just started armodafinil today and got really sleepy about 1.5 hours after taking it. Now I am going on 18 hours of awakeness... cannot fall asleep despite my eyes fighting to close and being tired. Sleep won't come."

• cco...
• September 13, 2010

Armodafinil for Drowsiness "My doctor wanted me to try a long-acting morphine, taken every 12 hours. I was concerned about the sleepiness issue as I was taking many pain medications. So she also prescribed 250 mg of Nuvigil. Like some of these reviews, it was fine for a while, but I started noticing late afternoon sleepiness. I was already on the highest dosage. My doctor said it was okay to take half the tablet with the medications I take on rising in the morning and the other half later in the morning. It's made a wonderful difference in my ability to focus and stay awake during the day, and I don't have any problems falling asleep at night. It's greatly improved my quality of life and ability to continue working."

• Nev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2018

For Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "DO NOT USE THIS MED!!! NOTHING LIKE THE BRAND, NUVIGIL!!! I had received a free 30-day supply of Nuvigil with their savings card, and it worked wonders for my sleep apnea and shift work disorder (night shift)!!! I was able to work night shift after being on day shift for many years with no problem!!! I was able to stay awake, be alert to do my job, and be in a great mood!!! Got ready to get my refill, and my insurance WOULD NOT COVER IT, and even with the savings card, a 30-day supply was going to cost me $600!!! My insurance would cover this generic, so I decided to try it!!! The generic is NOTHING like Nuvigil!!! Taking the generic made me more sleepy than I think I would have been without taking anything!!! I could barely hold my eyes open, could not concentrate, and felt like I had been drinking alcohol!! Could not get my thoughts together good enough to complete my job!!! I will NEVER take this medication again!!!"

• Kev...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 15, 2018

For Shift Work Sleep Disorder "Brand name Nuvigil works great to keep me awake and alert while working a busy and long night shift in a position (paramedic) where I must be alert. Energy drinks just don’t cut it. I was also switched to generic (Sandoz) and was drowsy throughout the entire nights and had a very distracting headache. I stopped them all and plan to get back on the real stuff if it doesn’t break me. I can still perform as I have for 20 years, but it takes a good bit of effort to keep my brain kicking at 3 a.m. Thanks for listening."

• jes...
• September 28, 2011

For Narcolepsy "I have been taking Nuvigil since I was diagnosed with narcolepsy 10 months ago, and I finally feel like myself. I was barely functional without it. When I first started, I had some trouble with side effects: sleeplessness, anxiety, and jitters. What worked for me was starting at a much lower dose and working my way up to the dosage I needed. I do several things that I think also help me get the most out of Nuvigil. 1) I take my medicine at the same time every single morning, even on weekends; 2) I drink a lot of water; if I'm dehydrated at all, my heart rate goes up; and 3) I take CoQ10 and B12 (both recommended by my neurologist). These completely got rid of the anxiety problems I was having. It took some time to really figure out, but 100% worth it."

• pdw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2023

For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "Sinemet caused extreme fatigue and zombie-like state. Fell asleep during a conversation and driving. Prescribed armodafinil. Did not see any improvements at all. Dr. changed to Ritalin as my blood pressure was extremely low. That helped some but still very sleepy."

• gir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 25, 2015

For Narcolepsy "I was just diagnosed with narcolepsy last week, my doctor gave me Nuvigil samples of both 150 mg and 250 mg. The first three days, I just got progressively sleepier. I was head bobbing and microsleeping. He asked me to take the 250. It didn't kick in for over an hour, and when it did, I fell asleep standing up at work and caused myself so much embarrassment that I had two subsequent cataplexy attacks moments later. I was like a sleeping pill."

• Anonymous
• August 13, 2021

For ADHD "I only take 75 mgs daily, and it works very well for focus, stopping brain fog, and sleepiness. I use it daily and like it much better than any other ADHD medication I have tried."

• DPa...
• April 14, 2013

Armodafinil for Depression "Nuvigil worked the first day and did nothing thereafter. I was using it to alleviate the sleepiness and lethargy from Zoloft."

• Pap...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 7, 2021

For Drowsiness "This has been a game changer for me. I had to take naps during my lunch breaks and struggled with daytime drowsiness. Not anymore. Also, it doesn't keep me awake at night."

• Sle...
• August 3, 2016

For Narcolepsy "Horrible, horrible headaches. Have taken Nuvigil for years, insurance would only cover armodafinil, so tried it. The headache was debilitating, and I was still sleepy. Back to Nuvigil, thank the Lord."