Nuvigil 150 mg

What is Nuvigil 150 mg?

Nuvigil is an oral medicine that may be used to improve wakefulness in adults who are very sleepy due to narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or shift work disorder (SWD). It contains armodafinil which is classified as a central nervous system stimulant and an eugeroic. Eugeroics differ from conventional stimulants because they are mainly used to support wakefulness rather than simply produce general stimulation. Nuvigil 150 mg should be used only under the direction of a physician.

How does Nuvigil 150 mg work?

The brain has a network of chemical signals that determines when a person feels awake or sleepy. It seems to act on this network by affecting substances such as dopamine, norepinephrine, histamine and orexin. These brain chemicals help control attention, wakefulness and sleep-wake cycles.

The exact mechanism has not been fully defined. But Nuvigil 150 mg can help reduce unwanted sleep episodes and improve wakefulness in people with medically diagnosed excessive daytime sleepiness. It does not replace proper sleep or resolve the root cause of a sleep disorder.

Key Features

Composition

Active ingredient: Armodafinil 

Inactive ingredients: Croscarmellose sodium, Povidone, Magnesium stearate, Pregelatinized starch, Lactose Monohydrate and Microcrystalline cellulose

What is it used for?

Nuvigil 150 mg may be used to manage excessive daytime sleepiness caused by:

• Narcolepsy
• Residual sleepiness in obstructive sleep apnea, when treatment for the airway obstruction is already in place
• Shift work sleep disorder, when work schedules disrupt usual sleep patterns

In obstructive sleep apnea Nuvigil 150 mg is not a replacement for continuous positive airway pressure therapy or other treatments that address blocked breathing during sleep.

Dosage 

• The dosage of Nuvigil 150 mg must be decided by a healthcare professional. The prescribed schedule may vary according to the sleep condition, age, other medicines and individual response.
• In some cases one tablet may be taken once daily. It is often taken in the morning for narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea-related sleepiness. For shift work sleep disorder the prescriber may advise taking it around one hour before the work shift starts.
• Take the tablet whole with water. It may be taken with or without food though a meal can delay its onset. Avoid taking it late in the day unless your physician directs you to do so as it can make sleeping at night more difficult. Do not alter the dose or take an extra tablet after a missed dose.

Side effects

Nuvigil 150 mg can cause side effects in some people. Mild symptoms may improve with time but a physician should be informed if they continue or become bothersome.

Possible side effects include:

• Headache
• Nausea or stomach discomfort
• Diarrhoea
• Dry mouth
• Constipation 
• Paresthesia 
• Disturbance in Attention 

Stop using Nuvigil 150 mg and get immediate medical help if you develop a rash, skin blistering or peeling, mouth soreness, high fever, swelling of the face or tongue, breathing difficulty, chest pain or severe changes in behaviour or mood. Although uncommon, serious allergic and skin reactions can occur with armodafinil.

Interactions 

Armodafinil can affect enzymes that process medicines in the liver. This means it may increase or decrease the effect of other treatments. Inform your pharmacist about everything you take including non-prescription medicines and herbal products.

Key interactions include:

• Hormonal contraceptives such as oral pills, implants, patches, injections, rings and emergency contraception may be reduced in their effectiveness. Use a reliable additional or non-hormonal method during therapy and for one month after the final dose.
• Warfarin and other medicines that affect blood clotting closer laboratory monitoring may be advised.
• Certain antidepressants, antipsychotics, sedatives and anti-seizure medicines dose reviews may be needed.
• For ciclosporin, blood concentrations may fall when it is taken with armodafinil.
• Some antifungal medicines, antibiotics and antiviral treatments can alter levels of armodafinil or other medicines.

Alcohol is best avoided while taking Nuvigil 150 mg, unless a physician has advised otherwise. It may make dizziness, reduced concentration or mood-related side effects more likely.

Precautions & warnings

• Before starting Nuvigil 150 mg tell your physician about high blood pressure, heart disease, an irregular heartbeat, chest pain, kidney or liver problems or any past mental health condition.
• Extra care is needed in people with depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis, severe anxiety or a history of suicidal thoughts. Contact a healthcare professional quickly if new or worsening anxiety, agitation, low mood, hallucinations, unusual behavior or suicidal thoughts occur.
• Nuvigil 150 mg can occasionally affect vision, coordination or judgement. Do not drive, operate machinery or carry out tasks requiring full concentration until you know how it affects you.
• Tell your prescriber if you have ever had alcohol or drug dependence. Also discuss pregnancy, breastfeeding or plans to conceive before treatment. Armodafinil may not be suitable in pregnancy and can reduce the effectiveness of hormonal birth control.

Conclusion 

Nuvigil 150 mg as described with armodafinil 150 mg is formulated to support wakefulness in people experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness because of selected sleep disorders. It may be useful when prescribed as part of an individual treatment plan but it does not replace adequate sleep or treatment for the underlying condition. Take it as directed and seek medical advice if side effects, mood changes or allergic symptoms develop.

FAQs

1. When should Nuvigil 150 mg be taken?
For many daytime sleepiness conditions it is taken in the morning. When used for shift work sleep disorder it may be taken about one hour before the scheduled shift. Follow the timing given by your physician.

2. Can Nuvigil 150 mg be used for ordinary tiredness?
No. It should not be used for routine fatigue, studying or staying awake after inadequate sleep without a physician’s recommendation.

3. Can Nuvigil 150 mg interfere with birth control?
Yes. Armodafinil may make hormonal contraceptives less reliable. Seak to a healthcare professional about suitable additional contraception during treatment and for one month after stopping.

4. What should I do if I miss a Nuvigil 150 mg dose?
Take it when you remember provided it is not close to bedtime. If it is late in the day skip the missed dose and resume your usual schedule. Do not take two tablets together.

5. Can I use Nuvigil 150 mg for studying or general fatigue?
It should not be used to enhance school performance or for normal tiredness without consulting a physician. If you’re constantly tired, you might want to get checked out.