Nuvigil (armodafinil) can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include headache and nausea.

Nuvigil is used in adults to treat:

The active ingredient in Nuvigil is armodafinil. Nuvigil comes as a tablet that you swallow.

Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects that Nuvigil can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this Nuvigil article.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during Nuvigil treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

To learn more about some of these side effects, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Mild side effects have been reported with Nuvigil. These include:

  • diarrhea
  • dizziness
  • dry mouth
  • nausea
  • indigestion (upset stomach)
  • headache
  • insomnia (trouble sleeping)
  • mild allergic reaction

To learn more about some of these side effects, see the “Side effects explained” section.

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking Nuvigil unless your doctor recommends it.

Nuvigil may cause mild side effects other than those listed here. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

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Serious side effects have been reported with Nuvigil. These include:

To learn more about some of these side effects, see the “Side effects explained” section.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Nuvigil, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect while taking Nuvigil and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions about Nuvigil’s side effects.

Does Nuvigil (armodafinil) cause side effects that affect teeth?

Dry mouth can be a side effect of Nuvigil, which can increase your risk of teeth problems and gum disease. But no teeth-related or dental side effects have been specifically reported with Nuvigil.

If you think Nuvigil treatment may be affecting your teeth or oral health, be sure to discuss this with your doctor or dentist.

Does Nuvigil cause weight gain?

No, weight gain hasn’t been reported with Nuvigil. The drug may in fact cause decreased appetite, which could lead to weight loss. If you’re having unintentional weight changes while taking Nuvigil, be sure to discuss this with your doctor.

How do side effects of Nuvigil compare with those of Provigil?

Nuvigil (armodafinil) and Provigil (modafinil) are prescription drugs that help treat narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work disorder. They’re very similar medications, with mostly similar side effects. They both belong to a group of drugs known as stimulants.

Common side effects of these two drugs include:

Serious side effects of both medications include:

But Provigil can also cause certain side effects that weren’t reported in studies of Nuvigil, including:

Can Nuvigil treat depression? If so, does it cause different side effects when taken for that condition?

In some cases, doctors may prescribe Nuvigil along with other drugs to treat certain kinds of depression. But this is an off-label use of Nuvigil. Off-label use is when a drug is used to treat a condition other than those it’s been approved for.

Keep in mind that depression and other mental health problems are also possible serious side effects of Nuvigil. If you want to learn more about the use of this drug for depression, talk with your doctor.

If I stop taking Nuvigil, will I experience withdrawal symptoms?

It’s possible. Taking Nuvigil for a long period of time can lead to physical dependence. (This is when your body gets used to a drug and needs it for you to function as usual.)

If you become dependent on Nuvigil, suddenly stopping it could lead to withdrawal symptoms. These are side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on. They may include:

If you feel you may need to stop taking this drug, talk with your doctor. They’ll gradually lower your Nuvigil dosage over time to help you avoid withdrawal symptoms.

How long do side effects of Nuvigil usually last? Are any long term?

The more common side effects of Nuvigil are usually mild and should ease within a few days to weeks of starting Nuvigil.

In rare cases, Nuvigil may cause serious side effects, including severe skin reactions, heart problems, mental health problems, or dependence. In some people, serious side effects may last for a long time while they’re taking Nuvigil. If you have heart or mental health problems or have experienced addiction, your risk of these side effects is higher.

If you have side effects that are bothersome or don’t go away, call your doctor. But if you think you’re having a serious or life threatening side effect, call 911 (or your local emergency number) or get emergency medical care immediately.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about how long side effects of Nuvigil may last.

Learn more about some of the side effects Nuvigil may cause.

Anxiety

Nuvigil may cause anxiety. This was a common side effect reported in studies of the drug. In some people, anxiety may be a symptom of worsening mental health.

What might help

If you experience anxiety while taking Nuvigil, call your doctor. They can discuss your symptoms and help you decide next steps. In some cases, they may have you stop Nuvigil and will recommend a different treatment for your condition.

Headache

Headache was a common but usually mild side effect in Nuvigil studies. Some people stopped taking the drug because of this side effect.

What might help

If you have a mild headache that doesn’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may suggest an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to ease your discomfort. If your headache is bothersome or continues for a long time, they may suggest stopping Nuvigil and trying a different treatment to manage your condition.

Insomnia

Insomnia (trouble sleeping) was a common side effect in Nuvigil studies. In rare cases, people stopped taking the drug due to this side effect. Keep in mind that insomnia may be a sign of more serious side effects of Nuvigil, such as mental health problems, including depression, mania, and psychosis.

What might help

You’ll likely take Nuvigil in the morning for excessive sleepiness from narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea. And you’ll take it an hour before your shift for shift work sleep disorder. Taking Nuvigil in the afternoon or late in the day can increase your risk of insomnia.

Always take Nuvigil exactly as your doctor prescribes. If you experience bothersome insomnia with this drug, talk with them about the possibility of switching to a different treatment for your condition.

Depression

Taking Nuvigil may cause depression. This was a rare but serious side effect of the drug reported in studies. It’s important to note that depression may be a sign of a serious mental health condition. Symptoms of depression may include:

What might help

Tell your doctor if you have a history of mental health problems before starting Nuvigil treatment. They can determine whether the drug is safe for you to take.

If you have symptoms of depression while taking Nuvigil, call your doctor. They can discuss your options with you and help you stop the drug in a way that will reduce your risk of side effects.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Nuvigil can cause an allergic reaction. In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Nuvigil treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Nuvigil, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Nuvigil may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions. (This is known as a drug-condition interaction.) Other factors may also affect whether Nuvigil is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before starting this drug. Factors to consider include:

  • allergic reaction to Nuvigil or any of its ingredients
  • heart problems
  • high blood pressure
  • liver problems
  • kidney problems
  • mental health conditions, including mania, depression, and psychosis
  • history of substance misuse or addiction
  • alcohol consumption (you should not drink alcohol while taking Nuvigil)
  • pregnancy or breastfeeding (see the following section)

Pregnancy and breastfeeding with Nuvigil

There is limited information about the effects of taking Nuvigil during pregnancy. Pregnancy loss and slow fetal growth were reported in studies of the drug, but it’s not clear whether Nuvigil was the cause.

If you have questions about the safety of Nuvigil treatment during pregnancy, talk with your doctor. They can discuss risks and benefits with you.

There is no information about the safety of taking Nuvigil while breastfeeding. It’s not known whether the drug passes into breast milk or the effects it might have on a child who’s breastfed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about taking Nuvigil while breastfeeding.

There is a risk of misuse with Nuvigil. (Misuse means taking a drug differently than how it was prescribed, such as more often or in higher doses.) Always take Nuvigil exactly as your doctor prescribes.

If you have a history of substance misuse or addiction, tell your doctor. (Addiction is when a drug is taken even if it’s causing harmful effects.) You may have an increased risk of misuse with Nuvigil. Your doctor can discuss the risks of the drug and whether it’s safe for you to take.

If you have questions about side effects Nuvigil can cause, talk with your doctor. Examples of questions to help get you started include:

  • How do the side effects of Nuvigil compare with other medications that treat my condition?
  • Will I have more side effects when I first start treatment?
  • Do side effects depend on my dosage of the drug?

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.