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Artvigil is a commercial preparation of armodafinil, a prescription medicine that promotes wakefulness. It is prescribed for adults to reduce excessive daytime sleepiness in certain sleep disorders. Note that it treats symptoms of sleepiness but does not cure the underlying sleep disorder itself.
- Armodafinil is the main active ingredient
- Common private tablet strength seen in practice: 150 mg
- Usual uses in medical settings include narcolepsy, persistent sleepiness despite CPAP for obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder
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Who benefits from this
Clinicians may consider prescribing armodafinil when improving daytime alertness is clinically appropriate. Usual tokens include:
- People with narcolepsy who have disabling daytime sleepiness
- Adults who remain sleepy from obstructive sleep apnea despite optimal CPAP or other airway treatments
- Individuals with shift work sleep disorder who have excessive sleepiness at scheduled working times
Artvigil is not intended as a substitute for sufficient nightly sleep or for cognitive enhancement in people without a diagnosed disorder. If you are considering it for non-clinical reasons, discuss ancillary choices with a clinician.
Administration of dosing
Follow the dose and schedule recommended by your prescriber. Do not alter dose or timing without advice from a clinician.
- Usual approach: once-daily dosing; tablets may be taken with food or on an empty stomach; try to take at the same time each day for steady effect.
- Narcolepsy: a disorder affecting sleep regulation and residual sleepiness in OSA (adults): common morning dose range is 150 mg to 250 mg, adjusted according to clinical response and tolerability.
- Shift work sleep disorder (adults): a single dose of about 150 mg is typically taken roughly one hour before the work shift begins.
Lower starting doses or slower titration may be used for patients with liver impairment. Prescribers usually review effectiveness and adverse outcomes after an initial treatment period (commonly up to 12 weeks) and may stop treatment if harms outweigh benefits.
If morning dosing makes it hard to fall asleep at night, speak with your prescriber about timing adjustments rather than taking extra doses in the afternoon or evening.
Safety: what to disclose to your clinician
Before beginning armodafinil provide a full medical history and a complete list of all medicines, supplements and herbal remedies you use. Extra real time monitoring or an an alternate path treatment may be needed if you have any of the following:
- Liver disease or significant kidney problems
- High blood pressure, coronary artery disease, prior heart attack or other major cardiac conditions
- Current or past psychiatric illness, for example major depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis or severe anxiety
- A history of substance misuse or heavy alcohol use
Discuss plans for the pregnancy and nursing period. Armodafinil can reduce the effectiveness of many hormonal contraceptives; use reliable non-hormonal contraception during treatment and for one month after stopping. Glance at the personal collaborative interactions build trust and rapport. section for more on contraception and medicines.
Until you know how this medication affects you, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery. If your condition involves unpredictable sleep attacks, follow any driving guidance from your clinician or the DVLA.
Treatments contraindicated under these conditions, cautions, and notice of risk
- Do not take armodafinil if you have previously had a serious allergic reaction, severe rash, or widespread blistering to armodafinil, modafinil, Nuvigil, Provigil or any ingredient in the product.
- Avoid alcohol while taking armodafinil as it may increase unintended consequences.
- Do not use armodafinil to make up for chronic insufficient sleep or to routinely delay normal sleep patterns without medical supervision.
If you have any doubts about safety in a specific medical situation, consult your prescriber or a GPhC-registered pharmacist.
Negative reactions and urgent warning signs
Mild to moderate minor side effects are relatively common and often improve over days to weeks:
- Headache symptoms
- Sleep onset difficulties
- Nausea
- Vertigo sensation
Serious reactions are uncommon but require immediate medical attention. Stop the medicine and seek urgent assessment (NHS 111 or emergency services) if you develop any of the following:
- A rash on the skin, hives, blistering, peeling skin, or painful mouth sores
- Fever with sore throat or red, painful eyes
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or glands
- Respiratory difficulty, hoarseness or sudden shortness of breath
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes), dark urine, unexplained flu-like symptoms or leg swelling
Severe skin reactions commonly appear during the first one to five weeks of therapy. Do not restart armodafinil after a rash unless a clinician has confirmed the rash was not drug-related.
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Armodafinil can change liver enzyme activity and also therefore influence blood levels of many other medicines. Always show any prescriber or pharmacist a complete list of drugs and supplements you take.
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (for example ketoconazole, itraconazole) may raise armodafinil levels.
- Strong CYP3A4 inducers (for example carbamazepine, rifampicin, St Johns wort) may lower armodafinil efficacy.
- Medicines metabolised by CYP2C19 (for example omeprazole, diazepam, phenytoin) may have altered concentrations when combined with armodafinil.
- Hormonal contraceptives (combined pills, patches, rings and some implants) may be less reliable during treatment; use dependable non-hormonal contraception while taking armodafinil and for one month after stopping.
- An anticoagulant example is warfarin. may require more frequent INR keeping track of metrics when armodafinil is started or stopped.
- Other central nervous system medicines (SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, stimulants) may interact; discuss monitoring of operational health and dose adjustments in partnership with your prescriber.
If you are unsure whether a particular medicine interacts with armodafinil, consult a GPhC-registered pharmacist or your prescriber before beginning treatment. For related prudent safety advice, see what to tell your clinician.
Dose not administered care instructions
If you forget to take a dose and still need to be awake for several hours, take it when you remember. If it is near your usual bedtime, skip the forgot to take my dose and return to your normal dosing schedule the next day. Do not attempt to compensate for a forgot to take my dose with a double dose.
Excessive medication dose: immediate steps
If someone has taken too much armodafinil, seek urgent medical care. Go to the nearest emergency department or call 999. Possible signs of overdose death include:
- Extreme restlessness, agitation or severe inability to sleep
- Confusion or disorientation, or hallucinations
- Intense nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Chest pain or a rapid, irregular heartbeat
- Marked anxiety or unusual excitability
Short term access to storage space determines how quickly items can be retrieved. tips and tricks items safely
Keep tablets at normal room temperature, typically 20 to 25 C (68 to 77 F). Store in the original container, protect from moisture and heat, and keep out of sight and reach of children and pets.
Different courses of action and a rough the price guide in the UK
Several other medicines can be used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness. The figures below are approximate private costs in Great Britain pounds (GBP) for a typical month and will vary with supplier, dose and whether the medicine is supplied via the NHS.
- Modafinil (generic, 100 mg): a common an alternative path. Private monthly costs for 30 x 100 mg often sit around 25 to 60 GBP; branded Provigil is typically more expensive (around 80 to 120 GBP).
- Armodafinil brands (for example Nuvigil or imported generics such as Artvigil): some armodafinil products are unlicensed in the UK and may be supplied under specialist or named-patient arrangements. Private costs for 30 x 150 mg can be roughly 35 to 90 GBP or higher depending on import fees.
- Solriamfetol (Sunosi): licensed for narcolepsy and OSA-related daytime sleepiness; private monthly prices are commonly in the 150 to 250 GBP range depending on dose.
- Pitolisant (Wakix): a treatment option for some patients with narcolepsy; private costs are often several hundred pounds per month, for example 200 to 500 GBP.
- Non-drug options: improving CPAP adherence, weight loss, positional therapy or mandibular advancement devices can address the root cause of sleepiness in obstructive sleep apnea and may reduce the need for wakefulness-promoting medication.
On the NHS, availability is determined by local formularies and clinical eligibility. Prescription charges may apply unless you qualify for an exemption. Private prescribers and pharmacies may set their own fees. Always confirm current promotional pricing and supply arrangements with a UK-registered pharmacy or prescriber before buying.
Legal status and acquisition rules in the UK
- Prescription-only medicine: both modafinil and armodafinil are classified as prescription-only medicines (POM) in the UK. Supplying these without a valid prescription is unlawful.
- Licensing: modafinil is licensed in the UK for narcolepsy; many armodafinil products (including some imported brands) are unlicensed here and may only be supplied under specialist, named-patient or import procedures.
- Online purchase: use only pharmacies registered in the UK. A reputable online seller will be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council, provide a UK prescriber who performs a medical assessment, and display verifiable contact details and the MHRA distance-selling logo.
- Personal importation: limited personal import may be permitted by the MHRA when backed by a valid prescription, but items can be seized if they appear suspect.
- Driving and licensing: do not drive if impaired by sleepiness or medication. People with narcolepsy may need to notify the DVLA and could face driving restrictions depending on symptom control and specialist advice.
- Sports and anti-doping: modafinil and armodafinil are prohibited in-competition under anti-doping regulations. Athletes should check with UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and may require a Therapeutic Use Exemption.
- Criminal status: armodafinil and modafinil are not classed as controlled drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act, but unauthorised supply or possession without prescription can still have legal consequences.
When in doubt, speak with your GP, a sleep disorder specialist or a GPhC-registered pharmacist. For urgent medical help outside normal hours call NHS 111.
Brief facts
- Shift work timing: typically take about one hour before starting the shift
- Administration: can be taken with food or on an empty stomach
- Contraception: use reliable non-hormonal contraception while taking armodafinil and for one month after stopping
- Further reading: see steps to take after missing a dose and having an overdose immediate steps
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