9 Armodafinil (Nuvigil) Side Effects You Should Know About

Armodafinil (Nuvigil) is a prescription medication that can help you stay awake if you have extreme sleepiness. It’s FDA approved to treat sleepiness from narcolepsy, shift work disorder, and sleep apnea. It’s considered a first-choice medication for narcolepsy. 

It may also be used for some people with extreme sleepiness due to dementia or traumatic brain injuries. But it’s not FDA approved for these conditions.

If you’ve been prescribed armodafinil, it’s a good idea to learn about the risks associated with taking it. Not everyone will experience armodafinil side effects, but they’re still possible.

Promotion disclosure

Armodafinil

Avg retail price

$211.04(Save 92.08%)

GoodRx discount

$16.71

Compare all prices

Armodafinil side effects at a glance

Common armodafinil side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. These include:

• Headache

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Trouble sleeping

• Anxiety

• Diarrhea

• Dry mouth

• Depression

Rare but more serious armodafinil side effects include:

• Serious skin reactions

• Suicidal thoughts and behaviors

• Serious mental health problems, including hallucinations and mania

• Heart problems

• Dependence and misuse

Below, we’ll dive deeper into nine of these side effects and the best ways to manage them.

1. Headache

Headaches are the most common side effect of armodafinil. Typically, headaches from armodafinil are mild. They are, however, more common with higher doses (250 mg daily) versus lower doses (150 mg daily).

If you have headaches while taking armodafinil, you may be able to manage them at home. Some lifestyle changes that may help relieve a headache include:

• Staying hydrated, since headaches can worsen if you’re dehydrated

• Exercising (including walking) a few times a week

• Making sure you get enough sleep at night

• Reducing stress with activities like meditation and breathing exercises

If home remedies don’t work, you can try over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. Examples include ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). But if your headaches don’t improve or are difficult to manage on your own, contact your healthcare provider. They can help you decide whether it’s safe to continue armodafinil.

2. Nausea

Nausea is a common armodafinil side effect. Mild nausea can often be managed at home. 

You can take armodafinil tablets with or without food. But if you have nausea, it may be a good idea to take the medication with food. If this doesn’t work, try eating smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day and avoiding spicy, fried, or fatty foods. You can also try consuming products with ginger or peppermint in them, like teas. 

If these tips don’t help, talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist. They may recommend trying OTC or prescription nausea medications. Or they may recommend a lower dose of armodafinil, since higher doses (250 mg) are more likely to cause nausea than lower doses (150 mg).

3. Dizziness

Dizziness is a possible armodafinil side effect. When you first start taking armodafinil, you may need to avoid certain activities like driving until you know how the medication affects you. It’s also a good idea to avoid other medications and substances that can worsen your dizziness. Examples include opioids, benzodiazepines, and alcohol.

If you experience dizziness, make sure you move slowly when changing positions (like standing up). If your dizziness continues, you may need a lower armodafinil dosage. Or you may need a different medication altogether. But always talk to your provider before making any changes.

4. Dry mouth

Dry mouth is another common side effect of armodafinil. If you experience dry mouth, try these tips:

• Sucking on ice chips

• Drinking cool liquids throughout the day

• Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free hard candy

• Trying an OTC saliva substitute like Biotene or BioXtra

If these tips don't work, talk to your healthcare provider. They may recommend lowering your armodafinil dosage, since this side effect is more likely with the 250 mg daily dose versus the 150 mg daily dose.

5. Trouble sleeping

Even though armodafinil is used to treat excessive sleepiness, it can interfere with   getting enough sleep.

For this reason, armodafinil should be taken when you first wake up. For many people, this is in the morning. But if you work overnight, take armodafinil before your shift begins, even if this means taking it at night.

If you’re taking armodafinil correctly but still experiencing insomnia, consider ways to improve your sleep. A good place to start is making sure you have good sleep habits. These include  having a consistent bedtime and wake time and keeping your bedroom dark. 

If you’ve tried these tips and still can’t sleep, let your healthcare provider know. They may recommend decreasing your armodafinil dosage or stopping it altogether.

6. Mental health changes

All stimulants have the ability to affect your mood. They can increase feelings of nervousness, anxiety, and irritability. And armodafinil is no exception. It can also increase symptoms of depression, which is more likely with higher dosages (250 mg).

Armodafinil can also cause more serious mental health changes, such as hallucinations, mania, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Extreme mood changes are more likely if you have an existing mental health condition. Your healthcare provider may want to monitor you more closely in this case.

If you experience any mood changes after starting treatment, let your provider know. If your symptoms feel severe, seek emergency care.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, you’re not alone, and help is available. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or text HOME to 741-741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.

7. Serious skin and allergic reactions

Rarely, Armodafinil can cause serious skin and allergic reactions. Some of these skin reactions may be dangerous and require hospitalization. They include Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, and Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms.

A rash may appear at any time during armodafinil treatment, but it usually occurs within the first few weeks. Severe rashes may occur alongside other symptoms like fever and vomiting.

Less severe rashes can also occur with armodafinil. Since it's difficult to predict if a rash will become severe, your provider will usually have you stop taking armodafinil at the first sign of a rash. Contact them right away if you develop a rash while taking armodafinil.

8. Heart problems

Like other stimulants, armodafinil can cause heart problems. Possible heart-related side effects of armodafinil include:

• Chest pain

• Faster heartbeat

• Shortness of breath

• Heart rhythm changes

If you experience any of these symptoms while taking armodafinil, contact your healthcare provider. They may run some tests to check your heart health.

Good to know: Because of these risks, people with certain heart conditions should avoid taking armodafinil. This includes people with left ventricular hypertrophy or who’ve previously had mitral valve prolapse syndrome from stimulants.

9. Dependence and misuse [Dependence and misuse]

Armodafinil is a controlled substance. This means it has the potential for dependence and misuse. It can cause a “high” and other changes in mood, perceptions, or feelings.

If you have a history of substance use disorder, let your healthcare provider know before taking armodafinil. And if you’re prescribed armodafinil, take it exactly as prescribed. This lowers your risk for dependence and misuse.

If you or someone you know struggles with substance use, help is available. Call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 to learn about resources in your area.

When should you contact your healthcare provider about armodafinil side effects?

Most common armodafinil side effects are mild. But if you experience any bothersome side effects, especially ones that don’t go away within a few days or weeks, let your healthcare provider know. They can help you determine if armodafinil is causing these side effects or if something else is happening.

If you experience serious side effects — like a rash, shortness of breath, or vomiting— contact your provider right away. Your provider may recommend stopping armodafinil. If your symptoms feel severe, call 911 or seek emergency care.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Nicole E. Cieri-Hutcherson, PharmD, BCPS, NCMP

Nicole E. Cieri-Hutcherson, PharmD, BCPS, NCMP, has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist, professor, and researcher. She was a full-time clinical professor in the pharmacy practice department at D’Youville School of Pharmacy before subsequently joining the faculty of the pharmacy practice department at the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Edited by:

Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS

Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. Amy currently holds her pharmacist license in Georgia and California.

Reviewed by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts