About narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder involving the brain that affects 1 in every 2000 Americans. Narcolepsy occurs when the brain cannot normally regulate cycles of sleep and waking. This can cause daytime excessive sleepiness (ES) that results in episodes of falling asleep suddenly.¹

Everyone who suffers from narcolepsy suffers from excessive sleepiness

People with narcolepsy do not necessarily sleep more than the average person. In fact, regardless of how well they sleep, patients with narcolepsy experience excessive sleepiness (ES).²

The cause of narcolepsy is not known.

Sometimes, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the brain cells involved in regulating the sleep-wake cycle. It is believed that narcolepsy is the result of these cells being damaged or destroyed.³

Learn how NUVIGIL^® (armodafinil) Tablets (C-IV] can help improve your wakefulness.

Why is narcolepsy a problem?

Because the daytime sleep episodes due to narcolepsy can occur at any time during the day, narcolepsy is very disabling and has a profound effect on the social and work lives of people with the disorder.¹

Narcolepsy can threaten safety, as patients may fall asleep while performing various activities
People with narcolepsy often fall asleep several times a day, while at work or school, or even during a conversation or meal

In addition to ES, many patients with narcolepsy experience sudden loss of muscle tone (called cataplexy). This often occurs in the knees, face, and neck, and may be triggered by emotions like excitement or surprise.¹

What are the treatment options for narcolepsy?

There is no cure for narcolepsy, but making lifestyle or behavioral changes can help manage symptoms of the disorder. For example, patients may take scheduled naps during the day to prevent themselves from falling asleep unexpectedly. Medications are also available to treat ES due to narcolepsy.¹

While NUVIGIL is used to improve wakefulness in patients with ES due to narcolepsy, it is not used to treat narcolepsy itself or its other symptoms or consequences.⁴

Talk to your doctor about whether you should avoid driving or using heavy machinery while taking NUVIGIL.

Also of interest:

How sleepy are you? Find out with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.

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What is NUVIGIL?

NUVIGIL^® (armodafinil) Tablets [C-IV] is a prescription medicine used to improve wakefulness in adults who experience excessive sleepiness due to one of the following diagnosed sleep disorders: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), shift work disorder (SWD), or narcolepsy.

In patients with OSA, NUVIGIL is used along with other medical treatments for this sleep disorder. NUVIGIL is not a replacement for your current OSA treatment, and it is important that you continue to use this treatment as prescribed by your doctor.

NUVIGIL may help the sleepiness caused by these conditions, but it may not stop all of your sleepiness and does not take the place of sleep.

NUVIGIL is a federally controlled substance (C-IV), so use NUVIGIL only as directed and keep in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. It is against the law to sell or give NUVIGIL to another person.

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. 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.

What are possible side effects of NUVIGIL?

Stop taking NUVIGIL and call your doctor or get emergency help if you get any of the following serious side effects:

Mental (psychiatric) symptoms, including: depression, feeling anxious, sensing things that are not really there, extreme increase in activity (mania), thoughts of suicide, aggression, or other mental problems
Symptoms of a heart problem, including: chest pain, abnormal heart beat, and trouble breathing

Common side effects of NUVIGIL are headache, nausea, dizziness, and trouble sleeping. These are not all the side effects of NUVIGIL.

Tell your doctor if you get any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Talk to your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

What should I tell my doctor before starting NUVIGIL?

Tell your doctor about all of your health conditions including if you have: 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.

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines you take. Women who use hormonal birth control may have a higher chance of getting pregnant while taking and for one month after stopping NUVIGIL. Talk to your doctor about other birth control methods while taking NUVIGIL.

You are encouraged to report side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, call 1-800-FDA-1088, or by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178.

For more information, ask your doctor or call 1-800-896-5855.

This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor for medical advice about your condition or treatment.