Like any medicine, armodafinil (Nuvigil) can cause side effects for some people. Most are mild and go away as your body gets used to the medication. Other side effects can be more bothersome. Some could even be serious.
When you know what to look out for, you can manage most side effects you may have. You'll also know when it's time to talk to your doctor.
How to Manage Common Side Effects of Armodafinil (Nuvigil)
The most common side effects of armodafinil are headache, nausea, dizziness, and trouble sleeping.
Headache. About 17% of people who took armodafinil in studies had headaches, compared to 9% of those who got a fake treatment (placebo). Doctors think this probably happens because of how this medicine acts on the brain to relieve sleepiness. This side effect bothers some people so much that they stop taking armodafinil.
However, headaches caused by the drug often go away as your body gets used to the medicine. Ask your doctor if you should take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen in the meantime. Your doctor might increase your dose of armodafinil slowly to help your body get used to the drug.
Tell your doctor right away if you have a serious headache, which could be a sign of high blood pressure caused by armodafinil
Tell your doctor if you have a headache that doesn’t go away. Get emergency medical help for a headache that’s sudden or serious, or if you have a headache along with any of these things:
- Fever
- Numbness or weakness in your arms or legs
- Confusion
- Trouble speaking or understanding
- Vision problems
- Neck stiffness
- A history of head injury
Nausea, or an upset stomach. About 7% of people who took part in studies of armodafinil had nausea. This side effect happens more often when you take higher doses of the medicine. To help prevent it and other problems, never take more armodafinil than your doctor prescribes.
Nausea should get better as your body adapts to the medicine. In the meantime, these tips may help calm an upset stomach:
- Eat bland foods like crackers and toast.
- Avoid fatty and greasy foods.
- Drink water or suck on ice chips.
- Eat and drink slowly to make sure it doesn’t make you feel bad.
Dizziness. Armodafinil can make some people feel dizzy. Don't drive or use heavy machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Avoid alcohol, which can make you feel more dizzy.
A dizzy feeling can also be a sign of high blood pressure, another possible side effect of armodafinil. Tell your doctor if you have this side effect.
Insomnia. Armodafinil helps you feel more alert during the day. But about 5 out of every 100 people who take armodafinil have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep at night.
You can make these lifestyle changes to ease this side effect:
- Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime.
- Don't eat big meals or heavy foods in the evening.
- Keep your bedroom cool, dark, and quiet to help you sleep.
If these tips don't work, ask your doctor about changing your dose of armodafinil. Always let your doctor know if side effects seem serious or get worse.
How to Manage Other Mild Side Effects of Armodafinil (Nuvigil)
Armodafinil may cause some other minor side effects. They include:
Anxiety. Stimulant drugs like armodafinil can cause anxiety, which is a feeling of intense fear or worry. Don't take more than the dose your doctor prescribed. Taking too much armodafinil can increase anxiety. If this side effect doesn't go away, ask your doctor if you need to lower the dose.
Diarrhea. Loose stools can be a problem for some people who take armodafinil. Until this side effect goes away:
- Drink extra water and other clear fluids so you don't get dehydrated.
- Eat bland foods like crackers and rice.
- Avoid dairy, fatty foods, and highly seasoned foods.
- Ask your doctor if it's safe for you to take an over-the-counter medicine for diarrhea.
Dry mouth. This medicine can make you feel thirsty or like your mouth is very dry. Drink more water or other fluids, or suck on ice cubes to keep your mouth moist.
You can also suck on sugar-free candy or chew sugarless gum. If dry mouth doesn't go away, ask your doctor if you need to change your dose of armodafinil.
What to Do If You Have Serious Side Effects With Armodafinil (Nuvigil)
It's rare, but armodafinil may cause some side effects that are serious and even potentially life-threatening. They include:
Skin reactions. Armodafinil may cause a very serious rash that makes your skin blister and peel. This rash can appear on the first day after you start treatment, or months later. Armodafinil can also cause less serious rashes.
Because it's hard to tell the difference between a mild and serious rash, stop taking armodafinil right away and call your doctor if you notice:
- Any rash
- Blisters on your skin
- Sores on your skin or in your mouth
Drug reaction with eosinophilia and system symptoms (DRESS). This serious reaction happens very rarely in people who take armodafinil. DRESS can damage organs like the kidneys, heart, and liver.
Symptoms of DRESS include:
- Fever
- Hoarse voice
- Rash
- Swelling of the face
- Swollen glands
If you have symptoms like these, seek medical help right away. You’ll need to stop taking armodafinil, and you may need treatment in a hospital.
Severe allergic reaction. Rarely, armodafinil can cause a very serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Call 911 for symptoms like these:
- Swelling of your eyes, lips, tongue, or throat
- Trouble breathing
- Trouble swallowing
Mood changes. Some people have symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and nervousness while they take armodafinil. In a few cases, people have had thoughts of suicide.
Tell your doctor before you start this medicine if you’ve ever had depression, periods of very high moods (mania), or times when you’ve lost contact with reality (psychosis). If you have thoughts of suicide while you take armodafinil, call 911 or 988 (the Suicide and Crisis Hotline).
Heart problems. A few people have developed chest pain, a fast or pounding heartbeat (palpitations), and shortness of breath while taking armodafinil. This medicine may not be safe for people who have a thickening of their heart's left pumping chamber (left ventricular hypertrophy) or a heart valve disease called mitral prolapse.
Get medical help right away if you have sudden chest pain or an abnormal heartbeat while you take armodafinil. Your doctor may check your heart rate and blood pressure more often while you're on this medicine.
