Active ingredient: Armodafinil
Typical Artvigil tablet strength: 150 mg
Conditions addressed: excessive daytime sleepiness linked to narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and shift work disorder (SWD). It is not a substitute for sleep and does not treat the underlying causes of OSA.

What is Artvigil?

Artvigil is an armodafinil tablet commonly supplied in a 150 mg strength. Armodafinil is a wakefulness-promoting agent used to help adults stay awake when excessive sleepiness is caused by narcolepsy, residual sleepiness from obstructive sleep apnea, or shift work disorder. If you are treating OSA-related sleepiness, continue your primary OSA therapy (for example, CPAP) while taking armodafinil. For official U.S.-approved labeling, refer to armodafinil products dispensed by U.S. pharmacies, including generics and the brand Nuvigil.

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When is it used?

Your clinician may consider armodafinil for the following:

  • Narcolepsy with excessive daytime sleepiness
  • Shift work disorder (SWD) to promote alertness during assigned shifts
  • Residual excessive sleepiness in obstructive sleep apnea despite effective primary therapy

Important: this medicine is not a traditional sleep aid for insomnia and should not be used to replace adequate sleep.

Jump to dosing: #dosage or see safety guidance: #precautions.

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How to take Artvigil (Dosage and directions)

Always follow your prescriber's instructions. Typical adult dosing:

  • Shift Work Disorder: 150 mg once daily, about 1 hour prior to the start of your work shift.
  • OSA or Narcolepsy: 150 mg to 250 mg once each morning.

General tips:

  • Take at the same time each day; with or without food.
  • Do not change your dose or dosing time unless your clinician tells you to.
  • Armodafinil is often reassessed after several weeks to confirm benefit and tolerability.
  • Hepatic impairment or elderly: a lower dose may be appropriate; ask your prescriber.

Note: Artvigil tablets are commonly available as 150 mg. U.S.-dispensed armodafinil products may come in other strengths. For storage, see #storage.

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Safety and precautions

Tell your healthcare provider about all your conditions, including any history of:

  • Heart disease, prior heart attack, structural heart issues such as mitral valve prolapse, or hypertension
  • Liver or kidney disease
  • Mental health concerns (anxiety, depression, psychosis, mania) or bipolar disorder
  • Substance use disorder (drug or alcohol)

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: discuss risks and benefits. Armodafinil can reduce the effectiveness of hormonal birth control; use a reliable non-hormonal method during treatment and for at least 1 month after the last dose.

Until you know how you react, avoid driving or hazardous tasks. Limit or avoid alcohol.

See also serious reactions in #side-effects and U.S. legal status in #legal.

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Contraindications and key warnings

  • Do not use if you have ever had a hypersensitivity reaction or rash with armodafinil, modafinil (Provigil), Nuvigil, or any tablet ingredient.
  • Stop at the first sign of a rash unless a clinician determines it is not drug-related.
  • People with sleep disorders must still use caution with activities that require full alertness.
  • Avoid alcohol, as its interaction with armodafinil is unpredictable.

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Possible side effects

Common effects:

  • Headache
  • Insomnia or trouble sleeping
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness

Serious effects that require urgent care and stopping the medicine:

  • Severe rash, blistering or peeling skin; mouth sores
  • Allergic reactions: hives; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; trouble breathing or swallowing
  • Fever, sore throat, eye irritation, yellowing of skin or eyes, dark urine
  • Shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling
  • New or worsening anxiety, agitation, confusion, hallucinations, mania, or depression

Severe rashes most often appear within 1 to 5 weeks after starting therapy.

For overdose details, see #overdose.

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Drug interactions

Armodafinil can affect and be affected by other medicines. Notable interactions include:

  • Hormonal contraceptives (ethinyl estradiol, norethindrone): reduced effectiveness. Use non-hormonal backup during therapy and for at least 1 month after stopping.
  • Strong CYP3A4/5 inhibitors (ketoconazole, itraconazole): can raise armodafinil levels.
  • Strong CYP3A4 inducers (rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, St. John's wort): can lower armodafinil levels and effectiveness.
  • CYP2C19 substrates (diazepam, propranolol, omeprazole, phenytoin): levels may increase; monitor for adverse effects or consider dose adjustments.
  • CYP3A4 substrates (e.g., cyclosporine): levels may decrease; monitor drug concentrations and effect.
  • Warfarin and other anticoagulants: monitor INR more closely when starting or stopping armodafinil.

Always share a complete list of your medicines and supplements with your prescriber. For pregnancy prevention specifics, see #precautions.

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Missed dose

If you forget a dose, take it when you remember only if you will be awake for several more hours. Skip it if it is close to your usual bedtime. Do not double up to make up a missed dose.

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Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention. Reported symptoms include:

  • Severe insomnia, agitation, or anxiety
  • Confusion, disorientation, hallucinations
  • Nausea, diarrhea
  • Chest pain, shortness of breath
  • Fast or slow heartbeat
  • Restlessness or feeling overly excited

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Storage

Store at room temperature 68 to 77 F (20 to 25 C). Keep tablets dry, away from heat. Store out of reach of children and pets.

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Alternatives and similar medicines

If armodafinil is not suitable or available, discuss these options with your clinician:

  • Modafinil (Provigil and generics) - racemic form with a somewhat shorter half-life for some users; similar wakefulness benefits.
  • Armodafinil (U.S. generics or Nuvigil) - U.S.-approved equivalents to Artvigil with the same active ingredient.
  • Solriamfetol (Sunosi) - dopaminergic/noradrenergic agent for EDS in narcolepsy and OSA.
  • Pitolisant (Wakix) - histamine H3 receptor inverse agonist; not a controlled substance in the USA.
  • Amphetamine mixed salts, lisdexamfetamine, or methylphenidate - stimulant options sometimes used for narcolepsy-related sleepiness.
  • Sodium oxybate formulations (Xyrem, Xywav) - taken at night; can improve daytime alertness in narcolepsy by treating nocturnal symptoms.

Medication choice depends on diagnosis, comorbidities, side effect profile, potential for misuse, cost, and insurance coverage. Compare rough cost ranges in #prices.

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Prices in the USA (rough comparisons in USD)

Prices vary widely by pharmacy, insurance, and discount programs. The estimates below reflect typical cash or coupon ranges and may change over time:

  • Armodafinil U.S. generics (150 mg): about $80 to $450 for 30 tablets; some coupons can bring this to roughly $30 to $150.
  • Nuvigil brand (armodafinil): commonly $400 to $900 for 30 tablets.
  • Modafinil U.S. generics (200 mg): about $60 to $350 for 30 tablets; brand Provigil is usually higher.
  • Solriamfetol (Sunosi): often $700 to $900 per month without insurance.
  • Pitolisant (Wakix): list price can exceed several thousand dollars per month; assistance programs may reduce cost.
  • Amphetamine or methylphenidate generics: roughly $10 to $60 per month depending on formulation and dose.
  • Overseas brand Artvigil (150 mg): frequently quoted around $0.70 to $2.00 per tablet from non-U.S. sources; note the legal considerations in #legal.

Tip: compare multiple U.S. pharmacies and consider legitimate discount programs. If you use insurance, your copay may be very different from cash price.

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