FAQs about NUVIGIL
What you should know about taking NUVIGIL.
What is NUVIGIL?
What important information should I know about NUVIGIL?
Who should not take NUVIGIL?
Can I become addicted to NUVIGIL?
What is a federally controlled substance [C-IV]?
What should I tell my doctor before starting NUVIGIL?
Can I take other medicines (including birth control) at the
same time as NUVIGIL?
How do I get a trial offer for NUVIGIL, and can I save on future
prescriptions?
How should I take NUVIGIL?
What should I avoid while taking NUVIGIL?
What are possible side effects of NUVIGIL?
Will my sleep be affected when I take NUVIGIL?
If I have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and am taking NUVIGIL, do
I still need to use my breathing device when I sleep?
Do I have to go back to my doctor every time I need a refill of NUVIGIL?
Where can I get the most up-to-date information about NUVIGIL?
How can I get additional information about NUVIGIL?
What is NUVIGIL?
NUVIGIL is a prescription medicine used to improve wakefulness in adults who experience
excessive sleepiness (ES) due to one of the following diagnosed sleep disorders:
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- In patients with OSA, NUVIGIL is used along with other medical treatments for this
sleep disorder. NUVIGIL is not a replacement for your current treatment. Consult
your doctor about the importance of continuing your current OSA treatment while
taking NUVIGIL
- Shift work disorder (SWD)
- Narcolepsy
You should be diagnosed with one of these sleep disorders before taking NUVIGIL.
Sleepiness can be a symptom of other medical conditions that need to be treated.
NUVIGIL will not treat the sleep disorders mentioned above. NUVIGIL may help with
the sleepiness caused by these conditions, but it may not stop all of your sleepiness.
NUVIGIL does not take the place of getting enough sleep.
Follow your doctor’s advice about good sleep habits and using other treatments.
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What important information should I know about NUVIGIL?
NUVIGIL may cause serious side effects including a serious rash or a serious allergic
reaction that may affect parts of your body such as your liver or blood cells, and
may result in hospitalization and be life-threatening. If you develop a skin rash,
hives, sores in your mouth, blisters, swelling, peeling, or yellowing of the skin
or eyes, trouble swallowing or breathing, dark urine, or fever, stop taking NUVIGIL
and call your doctor right away or get emergency help.
NUVIGIL is not approved for children for any condition.
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Who should not take NUVIGIL?
NUVIGIL is not approved for children for any condition. It is not known if
NUVIGIL is safe or if it works in children under the age of 17.
You should not take NUVIGIL if you have had a rash or allergic reaction to NUVIGIL
or PROVIGIL® (modafinil) Tablets [C-IV], or are allergic to any of
the following ingredients: modafinil, armodafinil, croscarmellose sodium, lactose
monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, or pregelatinized
starch.
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Can I become addicted to NUVIGIL?
NUVIGIL is a federally controlled substance [C-IV] because it has the potential
to be abused or lead to dependence. Keep NUVIGIL in a safe place to prevent misuse
and abuse. Selling or giving away NUVIGIL may harm others and is against the law.
Tell your doctor if you have ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription
medicines, or street drugs.
Some effects of NUVIGIL on the brain are the same as other medicines called stimulants.
These effects may lead to abuse of or dependence on NUVIGIL. Before starting NUVIGIL,
tell your doctor if you have ever abused drugs, including other stimulant medicines.
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What is a federally controlled substance [C-IV]?1
The schedules of controlled drugs are determined by the Drug Enforcement Agency
(DEA) and are based on a drug’s potential for abuse.
- NUVIGIL is a Schedule IV [C-IV] medication because it has the potential to be abused
or lead to dependence
- Schedule IV medications have less potential for abuse and dependence than Schedule
II medications, like amphetamines and methylphenidate and Schedule III medications
like anabolic steroids
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What should I tell my doctor before starting NUVIGIL?
- Tell your doctor about all of your health conditions, including if you have a history
of mental health problems (including psychosis), heart problems or had a heart attack,
high blood pressure, liver or kidney problems, a history of drug or alcohol abuse
or addiction, or are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
- Women who use hormonal birth control may have a higher chance of getting pregnant
while taking NUVIGIL, and for one month after stopping NUVIGIL
- Talk to your doctor about other birth control methods while taking NUVIGIL
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Can I take other medicines (including birth control) at the same time as NUVIGIL?
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription
medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. NUVIGIL and many other medicines can
interact with each other, sometimes causing side effects. NUVIGIL may affect the
way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how NUVIGIL works.
Especially, tell your doctor if you use a hormonal birth control method. NUVIGIL
can affect hormonal birth control methods, including pills, shots, implants, patches,
vaginal rings, and hormone-releasing intrauterine devices. Women who use hormonal
birth control with NUVIGIL may have a higher chance of getting pregnant while taking
NUVIGIL, and for 1 month after stopping NUVIGIL. Talk to your doctor about birth
control methods that are right for you while using NUVIGIL.
Keep a list of all the medicines you take. Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you
if it is safe to take NUVIGIL and other medicines together. Do not take other medicines
with NUVIGIL unless your doctor has told you it is okay.
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How do I get a trial offer for NUVIGIL, and can I save on future prescriptions?
You can get your first prescription of NUVIGIL FREE, and you may also be eligible
for a co-pay as low as $5 on your future prescriptions.* Print a copy of the FREE
offer today, present it to your doctor, and find out if NUVIGIL is right for you.
It's that easy.
Only your doctor can decide if NUVIGIL is right for you.
Get your FREE offer.
*Limitations apply.
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How should I take NUVIGIL?
Take NUVIGIL exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not change your dose of NUVIGIL
without talking to your doctor. Do not take more NUVIGIL than prescribed.
- Your doctor will tell you the right time of day to take NUVIGIL
- Patients with excessive sleepiness (ES) due to treated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
or narcolepsy usually take 1 dose of NUVIGIL every morning
- Patients with ES due to shift work disorder (SWD), usually take NUVIGIL about 1
hour before their work shift. Do not change the time of day you take NUVIGIL unless
you have talked to your doctor. If you take NUVIGIL too close to your bedtime, you
may find it harder to fall asleep
- You can take NUVIGIL with or without food
- If you take more than your prescribed dose or if you overdose, call your doctor
or poison-control center right away
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What should I avoid while taking NUVIGIL?
- Do not drive or do other dangerous activities until you and your doctor know how
NUVIGIL affects you
- Avoid drinking alcohol
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What are possible side effects of NUVIGIL?
NUVIGIL may cause serious side effects. Stop taking NUVIGIL and call your
doctor right away or get emergency help if you get any of the following:
- a serious rash or serious allergic reaction.
- mental (psychiatric) symptoms, including:
- depression
- feeling anxious
- hearing, seeing, feeling, or sensing things that are not really there (hallucinations)
- an extreme increase in activity and talking (mania)
- thoughts of suicide
- aggressive behavior
- other mental problems
- symptoms of a heart problem, including chest pain, abnormal heart beats,
and trouble breathing
Common side effects that can happen in anyone who takes NUVIGIL include:
- headache
- nausea
- dizziness
- trouble sleeping
Tell your doctor if you get any side effect that bothers you or that does not go
away while taking NUVIGIL.
These are not all the side effects of NUVIGIL. For more information, ask your doctor
or pharmacist.
Some effects of NUVIGIL on the brain are the same as other medicines called "stimulants".
These effects may lead to abuse or dependence on NUVIGIL.Call your doctor for medical
advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, call 1-800-FDA-1088, or by fax at
1-800-FDA-0178.
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Will my sleep be affected when I take NUVIGIL?
If you take NUVIGIL as directed, your ability to sleep when you want to will not
typically be affected, although 5% of patients taking NUVIGIL in clinical studies
experienced trouble sleeping, versus 1% of patients who received a sugar pill.2
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If I have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and am taking NUVIGIL, do I still need to
use my breathing device when I sleep?
If you have OSA, it is important to talk to your doctor about your current treatment,
as NUVIGIL will not treat the obstruction that causes your blocked airway.
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Do I have to go back to my doctor every time I need a refill of NUVIGIL?
You should ask your doctor about refills when you receive a NUVIGIL prescription.
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Where can I get the most up-to-date information about NUVIGIL?
Read the Medication
Guide that comes with NUVIGIL before you start taking it and each time you
get a refill. There may be new information. The Medication Guide does not take the
place of talking with your doctor about your condition or treatment.
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How can I get additional information about NUVIGIL?
These questions summarize important information about NUVIGIL. If you would like
more information, talk with your doctor. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for
information about NUVIGIL, including the Full Prescribing Information. For more information, please
call 1-800-896-5855.
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