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How long does it take for Nuvigil to work?

Medically reviewed by Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD. Last updated on May 31, 2024.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Nuvigil (armodafinil) typically works within 2 hours of taking a dose. After taking Nuvigil by mouth, it is absorbed quickly from the gut into the bloodstream. However, how soon Nuvigil starts to work can depend on whether or not you take the medication with food.

Nuvigil is available as a tablet that is taken once a day. It is used to improve wakefulness in adults that experience excessive sleepiness due to:

  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • Narcolepsy
  • Shift work disorder

How to make Nuvigil more effective

Since Nuvigil is absorbed faster on an empty stomach, it is best not to take the medication with food. Taking Nuvigil with food can delay the time it takes for it to work. In studies, the time it took for Nuvigil to reach peak concentrations in the blood was delayed by 2-4 hours when it was taken with food.

For best results, Nuvigil should be taken once a day in the morning if you are taking it for obstructive sleep apnea or narcolepsy. If you are taking Nuvigil for shift work disorder, take your dose of Nuvigil once a day about 1 hour before you start your work shift.

References

Conrado, D., et. al. (2013). Electroencephalogram Effects of Armodafinil: Comparison With Behavioral Alertness. In: Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. Accessed 05/31/2024 at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5527681/

Nuvigil [package insert]. Revised Dec 2022. Cephalon, LLC. Accessed on 05/31/2024 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=d878aed0-ddbf-8fa1-abf7-d3e480260845

Prescriber's Guide Stahl's Essential Psychopharmacology. (2021). Armodafinil. Accessed 05/31/2024 at https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/prescribers-guide/armodafinil/AA3BB6A2260FE076D2E39E67FC78C009

Read next

Nuvigil (armodafinil) is a controlled substance because it has a risk of abuse, misuse, and dependence. It has also been subject to diversion. It is classified by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a schedule IV controlled substance. Continue reading

Yes, you can have narcolepsy and insomnia together. Almost 50% of people with narcolepsy also experience disturbed night-time sleep, fragmented sleep, or difficulty staying asleep at night. Sleep may be disrupted by insomnia, vivid dreaming, sleep apnea, acting out while dreaming, or periodic leg movements. Continue reading

One of the earliest signs of narcolepsy is suddenly falling asleep during the daytime, even if you have had a full night’s sleep. This excessive sleepiness is like a “sleep attack” or an overwhelming sense of sleepiness that comes on quickly, and narcolepsy should be considered if a child or teen habitually falls asleep in class, or an adult finds themselves constantly dozing off at work, despite having had a full nights sleep. In between these sleep attacks, people with narcolepsy have normal levels of alertness, particularly if they are doing something that keeps their attention. Narcolepsy most commonly starts in young adults, aged 15 to 25, although it can occur at any age. Continue reading

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