Vigilit 150 mg

What is Vigilit 150 mg?

Vigilit 150 mg is a medication that contains armodafinil and interferes with the dopamine pathways in the brain. It interferes with the dopamine reuptake system in the brain and promotes wakefulness in individuals. Some individuals struggle with sleep disorders like narcolepsy, shift-work disorder, or obstructive sleep apnea. These disorders make it difficult for them to stay up during the day and cause them to experience high levels of daytime sleepiness, which interferes with their work. That is when those individuals can use Vigilit 150 mg and feel better and more alert during the day.

How does Vigilit 150 mg work?

Vigilit 150 mg does not work like every other general stimulant. It specifically targets and interferes with the dopamine reuptake system. The active ingredient in Vigilit 150 mg is Armodafinil. It binds itself to the dopamine transporter (DAT) and blocks its ability to remove dopamine from the synaptic cleft and return it to its presynaptic neuron. It’s able to use the pre-existing neurochemical environment in the brain to maintain higher levels of dopamine and keep the person stimulated to carry out their daytime activities.

Key Features

Composition

Active ingredient: Armodafinil
Inactive ingredients: Croscarmellose sodium, Lactose monohydrate, Magnesium stearate, Povidone.

What is it used for?

Vigilit 150 mg is typically recommended for the following conditions that can result in excessive sleepiness:

• Narcolepsy
• Shift-work disorder
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Dosage

Any individual should speak with their doctor before starting to take Vigilit 150 mg, but here are a few guidelines that can be kept in mind:

• The 150 mg dosage can be taken once daily, ideally in the morning, by people with narcolepsy or OSA.
• Vigilit 150 mg may be required for those with shift-work disorder at least one hour prior to their shift.

Side effects

Some common side effects you may see are as follows:

• Mouth dryness
• Anxiety 
• Nervousness
• Headaches
• Sleep disturbances
• Nausea
• Lightheadedness

Rare but serious side effects you should watch out for:

• Palpitations in the heart
• Massive changes in a person’s heart rate or blood pressure
• Chest pain
• Hallucinations or delusions
• Aggressive behaviour
• Extreme mood swings or Mania
• Other psychotic symptoms
• Severe skin reactions, such as swelling of the lips, throat, or face. There may be blisters, mouth ulcers, or even skin peeling. Toxic epidermal necrolysis and Stevens-Johnson syndrome are examples of some skin disorders that may be experienced.

Try to immediately seek medical attention from an expert if you experience any of these.

Interactions

Caffeine or other stimulants

Combining caffeine or other stimulants with Vigilit 150 mg can lead to a CNS that gets overloaded and overwhelmed and can worsen the side effects.

Anti-seizure medications

Armodafinil may reduce the effectiveness of antiepileptic medications like phenytoin, which is why some dosage adjustments may be required.  

Antibiotics 

Antibiotics like clarithromycin or erythromycin are CYP3A4/5 enzyme inhibitors, which can slow down the metabolism of armodafinil and increase its concentrations. This can increase the health complications that armodafinil has. 

Hormonal contraceptives

Hormonal contraceptives like pills, inserts, or patches may lose their effectiveness when they are paired with Vigilit 150 mg. 

Monoamine oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)

When an individual takes MAOIs and Vigilit 150 mg together, then it can severely affect the dopamine levels in the brain and potentially lead to serious cardiovascular and neurological side effects. 

Precautions and Safety warnings

• Individuals who have had a history of heart conditions should avoid Vigilit 150 mg or use it very cautiously under supervision. 
• Women who are using hormonal contraceptives should opt for other contraceptive barriers to stay safe. 
• It’s best to not operate any kind of heavy machinery after taking Vigilit 150 mg, as it can hamper your judgment or response time. 
• It’s advised for individuals to not consume alcohol when they have taken Vigilit 150 mg, as they can experience higher levels of dizziness, and their judgment may get impaired. 
• If any signs of skin rashes are seen after someone has started taking Vigilit 150 mg, then they should get it checked since they can be early signs of Stevens-Johnson syndrome. 

Conclusion

Vigilit 150 mg interferes with the dopamine reuptake mechanism of the brain and blocks the DAT. It is able to maintain adequate dopamine levels through this mechanism, and individuals who are struggling with feeling too sleepy during the day can administer the medication. Although it is important to keep in mind that for you to be able to take Vigilit 150 mg, you have to have a sleep disorder like OSA, narcolepsy, or shift-work disorder to be able to take the medication. 

FAQs

1. What should I do if I develop a skin rash after taking Vigilit 150 mg?
You should immediately stop taking Vigilit 150 mg if you develop a skin rash and contact your GP, since it can be an early sign of Stevens-Johnson syndrome. 

2. Is there a potential to develop dependency on Vigilit 150 mg?
Yes, if you have a history of substance abuse, then it’s better to monitor your use since Vigilit 150 mg can lead to drug-dependent behaviors. 

3. Why should I use other contraceptives when I’m taking Vigilit 150 mg?
Steroidal contraceptives may lose their efficacy when armodafinil is taken with them, and that’s why you should go for other contraceptive barriers and continue to do so even a month after the course has been completed. 

4. Can I just not take Vigilit 150 mg if I’m just tired?
You have to be diagnosed with conditions like OSA, narcolepsy, or shift-work disorder to be able to take Vigilit 150 mg.

5. Can I have Vigilit 150 mg with food?
You can have Vigilit 150 mg with food, but heavy meals can increase the time it takes fro the medication to start working in your body, so it’s better without meals or with lighter meal options.