Nuvigil (armodafinil) is a prescription drug used to treat narcolepsy in adults. Nuvigil can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include headache and nausea.

Nuvigil is used in adults to treat:

* Nuvigil helps manage excessive sleepiness in people with OSA but does not treat the root cause of this condition.

The active ingredient in Nuvigil is armodafinil. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)

Nuvigil comes as a tablet that you swallow.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Nuvigil can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during Nuvigil treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Nuvigil, visit MedWatch.

Mild side effects have been reported with Nuvigil. These include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking Nuvigil unless your doctor recommends it.

Nuvigil may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Serious side effects have been reported with Nuvigil. These include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Nuvigil and misuse” section below.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Nuvigil, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

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If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

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Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Nuvigil’s side effects.

How do side effects of Nuvigil compare with those of Provigil?

Nuvigil (armodafinil) and Provigil (modafinil) are prescription drugs that help treat narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work disorder. They have mostly similar side effects because they both belong to a group of drugs known as stimulants.

Common side effects of these two drugs include:

Serious side effects of both medications include:

But Provigil can also cause certain side effects that weren’t reported in studies of Nuvigil, including:

Nuvigil and Provigil are very similar medications. If you’d like more information about how their side effects compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist or check out this article.

Can Nuvigil treat depression? If so, does it cause different side effects when taken for that condition?

In some cases, doctors may prescribe Nuvigil along with other drugs to treat certain kinds of depression. But this is an off-label use of Nuvigil. Off-label use is when a drug is used to treat a condition other than those it’s been approved for.

Keep in mind that depression and other mental health problems are also possible serious side effects of Nuvigil. If you want to learn more about the use of this drug for depression, talk with your doctor.

If I stop taking Nuvigil, will I experience withdrawal symptoms?

It’s possible. Taking Nuvigil for a long period of time can lead to physical dependence. (This is when your body gets used to a drug and needs it for you to function as usual.)

If you become dependent on Nuvigil, suddenly stopping it could lead to withdrawal symptoms. These are side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on. They may include:

If you feel you may need to stop taking this drug, talk with your doctor. They’ll gradually lower your dose over time to help you avoid withdrawal symptoms.

How long do side effects of Nuvigil usually last?

Some common side effects reported in studies of the drug were headache, insomnia, nausea, and dizziness. These symptoms are usually mild and should ease within a few days to weeks of starting Nuvigil.

In rare cases, Nuvigil may cause serious side effects, including severe skin reactions, heart problems, mental health problems, or dependence. (See “What are the serious side effects of Nuvigil?” above for more information.)

In some people, serious side effects may last for a long time while they’re taking Nuvigil. If you have heart or mental health problems, or have experienced addiction, your risks of these side effects are higher. (See the “Warnings for Nuvigil” section below for more information.)

If you have side effects that are bothersome or don’t go away, call your doctor. But if you think you’re having a serious or life threatening side effect, call 911 or get emergency medical care immediately.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how long side effects of Nuvigil may last.

Learn more about some of the side effects Nuvigil may cause.

Anxiety

Nuvigil may cause anxiety. This was a common side effect reported in studies of the drug. In some people, anxiety may be a symptom of worsening mental health.

What might help

If you experience anxiety while taking Nuvigil, call your doctor. They can discuss your symptoms and help you decide next steps. In some cases, they may have you stop Nuvigil and will recommend a different treatment for your condition.

Headache

Headache was a common but usually mild side effect in Nuvigil studies. Some people did stop taking the drug because of this side effect.

What might help

If you have a mild headache that doesn’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may suggest an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to ease your discomfort. If your headache is bothersome or continues for a long time, they may suggest stopping Nuvigil and trying a different treatment to manage your condition.

Insomnia

Insomnia (trouble sleeping) was a common side effect in Nuvigil studies. In rare cases, people stopped taking the drug due to this side effect. Keep in mind that insomnia may be a sign of more serious side effects of Nuvigil, such as mental health problems, including depression, mania, and psychosis.

What might help

You’ll likely take Nuvigil in the morning for excessive sleepiness from narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea. And you’ll take it an hour before your shift for shift work sleep disorder. Taking Nuvigil in the afternoon or late in the day can increase your risk of insomnia.

Always take Nuvigil exactly as your doctor prescribes. If you experience bothersome insomnia with this drug, talk with them about the possibility of switching to a different treatment for your condition.

Depression

Taking Nuvigil may cause depression. This was a rare but serious side effect of the drug reported in studies. It’s important to note that depression may be a sign of a serious mental health condition. Symptoms of depression may include:

What might help

Tell your doctor if you have a history of mental health problems before starting Nuvigil treatment. They can determine whether the drug is safe for you to take.

If you have symptoms of depression while taking Nuvigil, call your doctor. They can discuss your options with you and help you stop the drug in a way that will reduce your risk of side effects.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Nuvigil can cause an allergic reaction in some people. In studies of the drug, serious drug reactions and skin reactions occurred. Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Nuvigil, they’ll decide whether you should continue taking it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Nuvigil, they’ll likely switch you to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Nuvigil treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Taking notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Nuvigil affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Nuvigil may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. (This is known as a drug-condition interaction.) Other factors may also affect whether Nuvigil is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting this drug. Factors to consider include those described below.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Nuvigil or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe it for you. Ask them about other medications that might be better options.

Heart problems. In rare cases, taking Nuvigil can cause heart-related side effects. These include chest pain, heart palpitations (a feeling of skipped or extra heartbeats), high blood pressure, and irregular heart rhythm. Your risk of these side effects may be higher if you already have heart problems or high blood pressure. Tell your doctor about any heart problems you have so they can determine whether Nuvigil is safe for you.

Kidney or liver problems. Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems. They’ll likely check how your liver and kidneys are working before you begin treatment with Nuvigil. If you have severe liver or kidney disease, Nuvigil could build up in your body and increase your risk of side effects. In this case, your doctor may need to prescribe a lower dose of the drug for you.

Mental health conditions. Nuvigil can cause certain mental health problems, such as anxiety, agitation, depression, and irritability. If you have mental health conditions (including mania, depression, and psychosis), talk with your doctor. Because Nuvigil may worsen your mental health, your doctor will determine whether it’s safe for you to take.

Past alcohol or drug misuse or dependence. Nuvigil is a stimulant that has the potential for misuse and dependence. (With misuse, a drug is taken in a way or for a reason other than what it was prescribed for. With dependence, your body gets used to a drug and needs it for you to function as usual.)

Tell your doctor if you have a history of substance misuse or addiction. (Addiction is when a drug is taken even if it’s causing harmful effects). Your doctor will decide whether Nuvigil is safe for you. If they do prescribe it for you, they’ll monitor you closely for signs of misuse.

Alcohol and Nuvigil

You should not drink alcohol while taking Nuvigil. It’s not known how alcohol may interact with this drug. If you have questions about the effects of alcohol consumption with Nuvigil, talk with your doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding with Nuvigil

There is limited information about the effects of taking Nuvigil during pregnancy. Pregnancy loss and slow fetal growth were reported in studies of the drug, but it’s not clear whether Nuvigil was the cause.

If you have questions about the safety of Nuvigil treatment during pregnancy, talk with your doctor. They can discuss risks and benefits with you.

If you become pregnant while taking Nuvigil, consider signing up for the pregnancy registry. The registry collects information about a drug’s safety when taken during pregnancy. To learn more, you can call 866-404-4106 or talk with your doctor.

There is no information about the safety of taking Nuvigil while breastfeeding. It’s not known whether the drug passes into breast milk or the effects it might have on a child who’s breastfed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about taking Nuvigil while breastfeeding.

There is a risk of misuse with Nuvigil. (Misuse means taking a drug differently than how it was prescribed, such as more often or in higher doses.) Always take Nuvigil exactly as your doctor prescribes.

If you have a history of substance misuse or addiction, tell your doctor. (Addiction is when a drug is taken even if it’s causing harmful effects.) You may have an increased risk of misuse with Nuvigil. Your doctor can discuss the risks of the drug and whether it’s safe for you to take.

Doctors prescribe Nuvigil to help treat narcolepsy and certain other sleep-related disorders. As with most drugs, Nuvigil can cause side effects that range from mild to serious.

If you have questions about side effects this drug can cause, talk with your doctor. Examples of questions to help get you started include:

  • How do the side effects of Nuvigil compare with other medications that treat my condition?
  • Will I have more side effects when I first start treatment?
  • Do side effects depend on my dosage of the drug?

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.