Version July 2025
Narcolepsy: Oral: 150 to 250 mg once daily in the morning.
Obstructive sleep apnea: Oral: 150 to 250 mg once daily in the morning; doses >150 mg/day have not been shown to have an increased benefit.
Shift work disorder: Oral: 150 mg given once daily ~1 hour prior to work shift.
Dosage adjustment for concomitant therapy: Significant drug interactions exist, requiring dose/frequency adjustment or avoidance. Consult drug interactions database for more information.
There are no dosage adjustments provided in the manufacturer's labeling.
Mild to moderate hepatic impairment: No dosage adjustment necessary.
Severe hepatic impairment: The manufacturer recommends a reduced dose due to decreased clearance and increased steady-state concentration of modafinil in this patient population.
Refer to adult dosing. Consider lower initial dosage.
The following adverse drug reactions and incidences are derived from product labeling unless otherwise specified.
>10%: Nervous system: Headache (14% to 23%)
1% to 10%:
Cardiovascular: Increased heart rate (1%), palpitations (2%)
Dermatologic: Contact dermatitis (1%), hyperhidrosis (1%), skin rash (1% to 4%)
Endocrine & metabolic: Increased thirst (1%)
Gastrointestinal: Anorexia (1%), constipation (1%), decreased appetite (1%), diarrhea (4%), dyspepsia (2%), loose stools (1%), nausea (6% to 9%), upper abdominal pain (2%), vomiting (1%), xerostomia (2% to 7%)
Hepatic: Increased gamma-glutamyl transferase (1%)
Hypersensitivity: Seasonal allergy (1%)
Nervous system: Agitation (1%), anxiety (4%), depressed mood (1%), depression (1% to 3%), dizziness (5%), fatigue (2%), insomnia (4% to 6%), lack of concentration (1%), migraine (1%), nervousness (1%), pain (1%), paresthesia (1%), tremor (1%)
Renal: Polyuria (1%)
Respiratory: Dyspnea (1%), flu-like symptoms (1%)
Miscellaneous: Fever (1%)
<1%:
Hematologic & oncologic: Pancytopenia
Hypersensitivity: Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, multi-organ hypersensitivity reaction
Frequency not defined:
Cardiovascular: Increased blood pressure
Endocrine & metabolic: Hypouricemia
Hepatic: Increased serum alanine aminotransferase, increased serum alkaline phosphatase, increased serum aspartate aminotransferase
Nervous system: Irritability
Postmarketing:
Dermatologic: Skin changes (including blistering, sores, ulceration), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (Holfinger 2018), toxic epidermal necrolysis
Gastrointestinal: Oral mucosa changes (including blistering, sores, ulceration)
Hypersensitivity: Hypersensitivity reaction (including anaphylaxis, angioedema)
Nervous system: Cerebrovascular accident, psychiatric signs and symptoms (including aggressive behavior, delusion, hallucination, mania), suicidal ideation
Hypersensitivity to armodafinil, modafinil, or any component of the formulation.
Concerns related to adverse effects:
• CNS effects: May impair the ability to engage in potentially hazardous activities; patients must be cautioned about performing tasks which require mental alertness (eg, operating machinery, driving).
• Dermatologic effects (severe): Serious and life-threatening rashes including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis have been reported. In modafinil clinical trials, rashes were more likely to occur in children; serious, postmarketing reactions have occurred with modafinil and armodafinil in adults and children. Most cases have been reported within the first 8 weeks of initiating therapy; however, rare cases have occurred after prolonged therapy. No risk factors have been identified to predict occurrence or severity of these reactions. Patients should be advised to discontinue use at first sign of rash, skin or mouth sores or blistering or ulceration (unless the rash is clearly not drug-related).
• Hypersensitivity reactions: Rare cases of drug reaction with eosinophilia and system symptoms (DRESS), also known as multiorgan hypersensitivity, and cases of angioedema and anaphylactoid reactions have been reported. Signs and symptoms of DRESS are diverse. Patients typically present with fever and rash associated with other organ system involvement. Patients should be advised to discontinue therapy and promptly report any signs or symptoms related to these adverse effects.
Disease-related concerns:
• Cardiovascular disease: Use is not recommended in patients with a history of left ventricular hypertrophy or patients with mitral valve prolapse who have developed mitral valve prolapse syndrome with previous CNS stimulant use. Patients with these conditions may also experience chest pain, palpitations, dyspnea, and transient ischemic T-wave changes on ECG. Due to limited experience use caution in patients with history of myocardial infarction (MI) or angina. Increased blood pressure monitoring may be required, and new or additional antihypertensive therapy may be needed.
• Hepatic impairment: Use with caution in patients with hepatic impairment; dosage reduction is recommended with severe dysfunction.
• Psychiatric disorders: Use caution in patients with a history of psychosis, depression, or mania. Armodafinil has been shown to worsen the symptoms of these diseases (eg, mania, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts). Discontinue therapy if psychiatric symptoms develop.
• Sleep disorders: Appropriate use: For use following complete evaluation of sleepiness and in conjunction with other standard treatments (eg, CPAP). The degree of sleepiness should be reassessed frequently; some patients may not return to a normal level of wakefulness. Patients with excessive sleepiness should be advised to avoid driving or any other potentially dangerous activity. Use >12 weeks has not been studied; patient should be reevaluated to determine effectiveness if use exceeds 12 weeks.
• Tourette syndrome/tics: Use with caution in patients with Tourette syndrome and other tic disorders. Stimulants may exacerbate tics (motor and phonic) and Tourette syndrome; however, evidence demonstrating increased tics is limited. Evaluate for tics and Tourette syndrome prior to therapy initiation (AACAP [Murphy 2013]; Pliszka 2007).
Special populations:
• Older adults: Use reduced doses in older adults; concentrations of armodafinil are significantly higher in patients >65 years of age.
Other warnings/precautions:
• Abuse potential: Use with caution in patients with a history of substance use disorder; potential for drug dependency exists.
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.
Tablet, Oral:
Nuvigil: 50 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 250 mg
Generic: 50 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, 250 mg
Yes
Tablets (Armodafinil Oral)
50 mg (per each): $7.26 - $7.27
150 mg (per each): $21.86 - $21.89
200 mg (per each): $21.89
250 mg (per each): $21.86 - $21.89
Tablets (Nuvigil Oral)
50 mg (per each): $14.54
150 mg (per each): $43.74
200 mg (per each): $43.74
250 mg (per each): $43.74
Disclaimer: A representative AWP (Average Wholesale Price) price or price range is provided as reference price only. A range is provided when more than one manufacturer's AWP price is available and uses the low and high price reported by the manufacturers to determine the range. The pricing data should be used for benchmarking purposes only, and as such should not be used alone to set or adjudicate any prices for reimbursement or purchasing functions or considered to be an exact price for a single product and/or manufacturer. Medi-Span expressly disclaims all warranties of any kind or nature, whether express or implied, and assumes no liability with respect to accuracy of price or price range data published in its solutions. In no event shall Medi-Span be liable for special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from use of price or price range data. Pricing data is updated monthly.
C-IV
May be administered without regard to food.
An FDA-approved patient medication guide, which is available with the product information and at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/021875s023lbl.pdf#page=24, must be dispensed with this medication.
Narcolepsy: To improve wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness associated with narcolepsy.
Obstructive sleep apnea: To improve wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
Limitations of use: In OSA, armodafinil is indicated to treat excessive sleepiness and not as treatment for the underlying obstruction. If continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the treatment of choice for a patient, a maximal effort to treat with CPAP for an adequate period of time should be made prior to initiating armodafinil for excessive sleepiness.
Shift-work disorder: To improve wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness associated with shift-work disorder.
Substrate of CYP3A4 (Minor); Note: Assignment of Major/Minor substrate status based on clinically relevant drug interaction potential; Inhibits CYP2C19 (Weak); Induces CYP3A4 (Weak);
Note: Interacting drugs may not be individually listed below if they are part of a group interaction (eg, individual drugs within “CYP3A4 Inducers [Strong]” are NOT listed). For a complete list of drug interactions by individual drug name and detailed management recommendations, use the drug interactions program by clicking on the “Launch drug interactions program” link above.
Acebrophylline: May increase stimulatory effects of CNS Stimulants. Risk X: Avoid
Alcohol (Ethyl): May decrease therapeutic effects of Armodafinil. Risk X: Avoid
ARIPiprazole: Armodafinil may decrease serum concentration of ARIPiprazole. Risk C: Monitor
Atogepant: CYP3A4 Inducers (Weak) may decrease serum concentration of Atogepant. Management: For treatment of episodic migraine, the recommended dose of atogepant is 30 mg once daily or 60 mg once daily when combined with CYP3A4 inducers. When used for treatment of chronic migraine, use of atogepant with CYP3A4 inducers should be avoided. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Atomoxetine: May increase hypertensive effects of Sympathomimetics. Atomoxetine may increase tachycardic effects of Sympathomimetics. Risk C: Monitor
Bornaprine: Sympathomimetics may increase anticholinergic effects of Bornaprine. Risk C: Monitor
Cannabinoid-Containing Products: May increase tachycardic effects of Sympathomimetics. Risk C: Monitor
CarBAMazepine: May decrease serum concentration of Armodafinil. Armodafinil may decrease serum concentration of CarBAMazepine. Risk C: Monitor
CloBAZam: CYP2C19 Inhibitors (Weak) may increase serum concentration of CloBAZam. CYP2C19 Inhibitors (Weak) may increase active metabolite exposure of CloBAZam. Risk C: Monitor
CloZAPine: CYP3A4 Inducers (Weak) may decrease serum concentration of CloZAPine. Risk C: Monitor
Cocaine (Topical): May increase hypertensive effects of Sympathomimetics. Management: Consider alternatives to use of this combination when possible. Monitor closely for substantially increased blood pressure or heart rate and for any evidence of myocardial ischemia with concurrent use. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
CycloSPORINE (Systemic): Armodafinil may decrease serum concentration of CycloSPORINE (Systemic). Risk C: Monitor
Dihydralazine: Sympathomimetics may decrease therapeutic effects of Dihydralazine. Risk C: Monitor
Doxofylline: Sympathomimetics may increase adverse/toxic effects of Doxofylline. Risk C: Monitor
Esketamine (Injection): May increase adverse/toxic effects of Sympathomimetics. Specifically, the risk for elevated heart rate, hypertension, and arrhythmias may be increased. Risk C: Monitor
Esketamine (Nasal): May increase hypertensive effects of CNS Stimulants. Risk C: Monitor
Fluorodopa F18: Coadministration of CNS Stimulants and Fluorodopa F18 may alter diagnostic results. Management: Discontinue medications used to treat Parkinson disease, including dopamine reuptake inhibitors and dopamine releasing agents, such as psychostimulants, 12 hours prior to fluorodopa F 18 administration if these medications can be safely withheld. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Fosphenytoin-Phenytoin: CYP2C19 Inhibitors (Weak) may increase serum concentration of Fosphenytoin-Phenytoin. Risk C: Monitor
Guanethidine: May increase hypertensive effects of Sympathomimetics. Guanethidine may increase arrhythmogenic effects of Sympathomimetics. Risk C: Monitor
Hormonal Contraceptives: CYP3A4 Inducers (Weak) may decrease serum concentration of Hormonal Contraceptives. Management: Advise patients to use an alternative method of contraception or a back-up method during coadministration, and to continue back-up contraception for 28 days after discontinuing a weak CYP3A4 inducer to ensure contraceptive reliability. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Iobenguane Radiopharmaceutical Products: CNS Stimulants may decrease therapeutic effects of Iobenguane Radiopharmaceutical Products. Management: Discontinue all drugs that may inhibit or interfere with catecholamine transport or uptake for at least 5 biological half-lives before iobenguane administration. Do not administer these drugs until at least 7 days after each iobenguane dose. Risk X: Avoid
Ioflupane I 123: Coadministration of Armodafinil and Ioflupane I 123 may alter diagnostic results. Risk C: Monitor
Kratom: May increase adverse/toxic effects of Sympathomimetics. Risk X: Avoid
Landiolol: Sympathomimetics may decrease therapeutic effects of Landiolol. Risk C: Monitor
Levothyroxine: May increase therapeutic effects of Sympathomimetics. Sympathomimetics may increase therapeutic effects of Levothyroxine. Levothyroxine may increase adverse/toxic effects of Sympathomimetics. Specifically, the risk of coronary insufficiency may be increased in patients with coronary artery disease. Risk C: Monitor
Linezolid: May increase hypertensive effects of Sympathomimetics. Management: Consider initial dose reductions of sympathomimetic agents, and closely monitor for enhanced blood pressure elevations, in patients receiving linezolid. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Lumateperone: Armodafinil may decrease serum concentration of Lumateperone. Risk C: Monitor
Mavacamten: CYP2C19 Inhibitors (Weak) may increase serum concentration of Mavacamten. Management: Start mavacamten at 5 mg/day if stable on a weak CYP2C19 inhibitor, and reduce the mavacamten dose by one dose level if initiating a weak CYP2C19 inhibitor. Avoid initiating weak CYP2C19 inhibitors in patients on mavacamten 2.5 mg/day. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
NiMODipine: CYP3A4 Inducers (Weak) may decrease serum concentration of NiMODipine. Risk C: Monitor
QUEtiapine: Armodafinil may decrease serum concentration of QUEtiapine. Risk C: Monitor
RisperiDONE: Armodafinil may decrease active metabolite exposure of RisperiDONE. Armodafinil may decrease serum concentration of RisperiDONE. Risk C: Monitor
Selpercatinib: CYP3A4 Inducers (Weak) may decrease serum concentration of Selpercatinib. Risk C: Monitor
Sirolimus (Conventional): CYP3A4 Inducers (Weak) may decrease serum concentration of Sirolimus (Conventional). Risk C: Monitor
Sirolimus (Protein Bound): CYP3A4 Inducers (Weak) may decrease serum concentration of Sirolimus (Protein Bound). Risk C: Monitor
Solriamfetol: CNS Stimulants may increase hypertensive effects of Solriamfetol. CNS Stimulants may increase tachycardic effects of Solriamfetol. Risk C: Monitor
Solriamfetol: Sympathomimetics may increase hypertensive effects of Solriamfetol. Sympathomimetics may increase tachycardic effects of Solriamfetol. Risk C: Monitor
Sympathomimetics: May increase adverse/toxic effects of Sympathomimetics. Risk C: Monitor
Tacrolimus (Systemic): CYP3A4 Inducers (Weak) may decrease serum concentration of Tacrolimus (Systemic). Risk C: Monitor
Tedizolid: May increase adverse/toxic effects of Sympathomimetics. Specifically, the risk for increased blood pressure and heart rate may be increased. Risk C: Monitor
Ubrogepant: CYP3A4 Inducers (Weak) may decrease serum concentration of Ubrogepant. Management: Use an initial ubrogepant dose of 100 mg and second dose (if needed) of 100 mg when used with a weak CYP3A4 inducer. Risk D: Consider Therapy Modification
Food delays absorption, but minimal effects on bioavailability. Food may affect the onset and time course of armodafinil. Management: Administer without regard to meals.
Evaluate pregnancy status prior to armodafinil initiation; patients who may become pregnant should avoid armodafinil use or use effective contraception during armodafinil therapy (Ghaffari 2021).
Armodafinil induces cytochrome P450 enzymes, decreasing systemic exposure to drugs metabolized via CYP3A4/5. Efficacy of steroidal contraceptives (including depot and implantable contraceptives) may be decreased; alternate means of effective contraception or the addition of a barrier method should be considered during armodafinil therapy and for 1 month after armodafinil is discontinued. Consult drug interactions database for more detailed information specific to use of armodafinil and contraceptives.
Data collected from the Nuvigil/Provigil pregnancy registry suggest an increased risk of major fetal congenital malformations following in utero exposure to armodafinil. Outcome information is based on 148 pregnancies reported to the registry between February 2010 and February 2019 (modafinil n = 81; armodafinil n = 65; both n = 1). Data collected prospectively for 122 pregnancies (102 live births with known outcomes) indicated a 13% rate of major congenital malformations. When including data from retrospective live births (n = 26), the malformation rate remained the same. No specific pattern of malformations was observed (Kaplan 2021). Intrauterine growth restriction and spontaneous abortion have been reported in association with armodafinil.
Data collection to monitor pregnancy and infant outcomes following exposure to armodafinil is ongoing. Health care providers are encouraged to register pregnant patients or pregnant females may register themselves by calling 1-866-404-4106.
Armodafinil is present in breast milk.
Breast milk was sampled over 24 hours in a female 19 days postpartum following long-term use of modafinil 250 mg daily. The peak breast milk concentration of armodafinil was 2.4 mcg/mL 2 hours after the maternal dose and decreased to 0.43 mcg/mL prior to the next dose. Her infant was not breastfed (Aurora 2018).
According to the manufacturer, the decision to breastfeed during armodafinil therapy should consider the risk of infant exposure, the benefits of breastfeeding to the infant, and the benefits of treatment to the mother.
Signs of hypersensitivity (especially rash); BP, heart rate; drug misuse.
The exact mechanism of action of armodafinil is unknown. It is the R-enantiomer of modafinil. Armodafinil binds to the dopamine transporter and inhibits dopamine reuptake, which may result in increased extracellular dopamine levels in the brain. However, it does not appear to be a dopamine receptor agonist and also does not appear to bind to or inhibit the most common receptors or enzymes that are relevant for sleep/wake regulation.
Absorption: Readily absorbed
Distribution: Vd: 42 L
Protein binding: ~60% (based on modafinil; primarily albumin)
Metabolism: Hepatic, multiple pathways, including amine hydrolysis and CYP3A4/5; metabolites include R-modafinil acid and modafinil sulfone
Half-life elimination: ~15 hours
Time to peak, plasma: 2 hours (fasted)
Excretion: Urine (based on modafinil: 80% predominantly as metabolites; <10% as unchanged drug)
Altered kidney function: Severe chronic renal failure (CrCl ≤20 mL/minute) did not influence the pharmacokinetics of modafinil, but increased exposure to modafinil acid ninefold.
Hepatic function impairment: In patients with severe hepatic impairment, clearance of modafinil was decreased by ~60% and the steady-state concentration was doubled.
Older adult: Systemic exposure of armodafinil was ~15% higher and clearance was ~12% lower in patients greater than 65 years of age.
