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1-800-896-5855

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1-877-NUV-2122

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1-877-CEPH-881
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What is shift work disorder (SWD)?

SWD is a medical condition that can be diagnosed and treated by a doctor.

SWD occurs when your body's internal sleep-wake clock is out of sync with your work schedule—your body is telling you to go to sleep when your work schedule needs you to stay awake. Because of this disruption of your body's natural rhythm, people with SWD often struggle to stay awake during their waking hours, or have trouble sleeping during their sleeping hours.

Diagram: Model of the Sleep-Wake Cycle [ref:1]

Why is it important to see a doctor about shift work disorder?

SWD can lead to other issues2:

  • Trouble focusing
  • Sleepiness-related accidents
  • Reduced work performance
  • Missed family and social activities
  • Increased irritability
  • Worsening of heart and stomach disorders

While NUVIGIL® (armodafinil) Tablets [C-IV] are used to improve wakefulness in patients with SWD, they are not used to treat SWD itself or its other symptoms or consequences.

How common is shift work disorder?

You may be surprised to know that approximately 15 million Americans perform some type of nonstandard shift work, and approximately 10% to 25% of night and/or rotating-shift workers suffer from SWD.3-6

That means as many as 1 out of every 4 people who work night or rotating shifts may be suffering from the impact of SWD.3-6

Who is at risk for shift work disorder?

While SWD can affect men and women of all ages, some factors may cause even greater problems coping with symptoms1:

  • Age greater than 50 years
  • History of sleep disorders
  • History of stomach disorders
  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease

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

Are you working shifts?

If you work night, early morning, or rotating shifts, your work schedule may be causing your circadian rhythm to be out of sync. Nonstandard shifts have become very common in today's workplace.

A wide range of occupations require either permanent or occasional shift work [ref:3]

Professional and business services

such as accountants, stockbrokers, customer service reps, IT support staff, and other people with corporate jobs

Healthcare professionals

such as emergency room physicians, nurses, and overnight pharmacists

Leisure, entertainment, and hospitality

such as bartenders, servers, chefs, casino dealers, performers, radio DJs, concierges, and doormen

Wholesale and retail trade

such as warehouse workers, department store and other retail store workers

Production and manufacturing

such as steel, textile, and other factory workers

Protective services

such as firefighters, dispatchers, and security guards

What can you do to help manage your symptoms?

Only a change in shift work can resolve SWD, but there are some things you can do to try to cope with your symptoms:

  • Avoid alcohol and other substances before bedtime
  • Get a full 8 hours of sleep each day
  • Turning on bright lights may help diminish drowsiness when you need to be awake
  • Eliminate noise and light from your sleep area
  • Try to stick to your sleep and wake schedule, even on weekends

Talk to your doctor.

Be sure to point out specifics:

  • Let him or her know about your work schedule
    • What hours you work
    • If you work shifts/non-traditional work hours
    • If you have had any changes in your work schedule
  • Tell your doctor if you feel that your excessive sleepiness is interfering with your job routine
    • When and where you feel sleepy
    • Things you do to stay awake (like drinking coffee, soda, or energy drinks)
    • How it affects your job or personal life
    • If you plan your life around sleepiness

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

More than 450,000 prescriptions for NUVIGIL have been filled since 2009 [ref:7]

Also of interest:

Download the SWD fact sheet and learn more about SWD.

Find out how sleepy you are with the Epworth Sleepiness Scale.


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), shift work sleep disorder, 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 treatment. Consult your doctor about the importance of continuing your current OSA treatment while taking NUVIGIL.

NUVIGIL is a federally controlled substance (C-IV) because it has the potential to be abused or lead to dependence. Please use NUVIGIL only as directed and keep in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse.

Important Safety Information

What important information should I know about NUVIGIL?

  • NUVIGIL may cause you to have a serious rash or a serious allergic reaction that may result in hospitalization or be life-threatening.
  • If you develop a rash, hives, sores, swelling, or trouble swallowing or breathing, stop taking NUVIGIL and call your doctor right away or get emergency treatment.

Who should not take NUVIGIL?

  • NUVIGIL has not been studied in children under the age of 17. NUVIGIL is not approved for children for any condition.
  • Anyone who has had a rash or allergic reaction to NUVIGIL or PROVIGIL® (modafinil) Tablets [C-IV], or is allergic to any of the following ingredients: modafinil, armodafinil, croscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, or pregelatinized starch.
  • Anyone with mitral valve prolapse who has experienced mitral valve prolapse syndrome.

What are possible side effects of NUVIGIL?

  • Common side effects of NUVIGIL are headache, nausea, dizziness, and trouble sleeping.
  • If you experience chest pain, depression, anxiety, hallucinations, psychosis, mania, thoughts of suicide, aggression, or other mental problems, stop taking NUVIGIL and call your doctor right away or get emergency treatment.
  • For more information about other side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

What should I avoid while taking NUVIGIL?

  • Do not drive a car or do other dangerous activities until you and your doctor know how NUVIGIL affects you.
  • Avoid drinking alcohol.

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.
  • Women who use hormonal birth control may have a higher chance of getting pregnant, while taking NUVIGIL, and for one month after stopping. Talk to your doctor about other birth control methods while taking NUVIGIL.

You are encouraged to report negative 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 about your condition or treatment.

Please see the Patient Information in the full prescribing information for NUVIGIL.

 

References: 1. Kryger MH, Roth T, Dement WC, eds. Principles and Practices of Sleep Medicine. Philadelphia: WB Saunders; 2005. 2. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. The International Classification of Sleep Disorders: Diagnostic and Coding Manual. 2nd ed. Westchester, IL: American Academy of Sleep Medicine; 2005. 3. US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Workers on flexible and shift schedules. Bureau of Labor Statistics Web site. http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/flex.pdf. Accessed May 11, 2009. 4. Ohayon MM, Lemoine P, Arnaud-Briant V, Dreyfus M. Prevalence and consequences of sleep disorders in a shift worker population. J Psychosom Res. 2002;53(1):577-583. 5. Drake CL, Roehrs T, Richardson G, Walsh JK, Roth T. Shift work sleep disorder: prevalence and consequences beyond that of symptomatic day workers. Sleep. 2004;27(8):1453-1462. 6. Waage S, Moen BE, Pallesen S, et al. Shift work disorder among oil rig workers in the North Sea. Sleep. 2009;32(4):558-565. 7. IMS HEALTH National Prescription Audit PlusTM (June 2009-February 2010).