Nova Wellness Center
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Nuvigil (armodafinil)

An Alternative Medication for ADD and ADHD 

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My Personal Experience using Nuvigil

When Nuvigil first entered the market in 2007 I tried some of the samples that pharmaceutical reps brought to my office. I found it an effective and well tolerated option for managing my ADHD symptoms.  I considered using it as an alternative to Adderall but at the time the name brand product was simply too expensive. Now 7 years after Cephalon's patent expired it's available as an affordable generic medication. Patients who don't have health insurance, or for other reasons choose to pay out of pocket, can use a discount coupon from GoodRx for armodafinil. 

Pharmacokinetics- How to Take It

Nuvigil is readily absorbed after oral administration, when taken on an empty stomach it reaches peak plasma concentration within 2 hours. Taking Nuvigil with food can delay absorption by 2-4 hours. After reaching a therapeutic dose in the bloodstream Nuvigil is typically effective for 15 hours. Nuvigil is a LONG ACTING medication it should NOT be taken too late in the day or it will interfere with sleep, causing insomnia. Nuvigil does NOT have to be taken every day, it can be taken "as needed" as long as it is taken early enough in the day. Nuvigil is NOT a good choice for patients who only want a stimulant effect for a few hours out of the day. 
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Armodafinil (trade name Nuvigil) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2007 to treat excessive daytime sleepiness associated with obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and shift work disorder. It is commonly used "off-label" to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, and major depressive disorder, and has been repurposed as an adjunctive treatment for bipolar disorder.

​In 2016, the FDA granted Mylan rights for the first generic version of Cephalon's Nuvigil to be marketed in the U.S.
​

Is Nuvigil the same as Adderall?

Armodafinil (Nuvigil) is similar to Adderall in that they can both improve wakefulness and alertness. However, they work differently in the brain and affect different chemicals. They are also classified as controlled medications differently. Armodafinil (Nuvigil) is a Schedule 4 medication while Adderall is a Schedule 2. This means the FDA believes that Adderall has a higher risk for abuse and addiction than armodafinil (Nuvigil).

One benefit of taking a Schedule 4 medication is that physicians can authorize 5 additional refills when submitting the prescription to the pharmacy.  This is more convenient for patients because they will not have to contact our office every month to request another prescription, they can use their pharmacy app, or other automated systems, to activate their next refill. A physician can authorize enough refills of a Schedule 4 medication to last a patient for 6 months, this is NOT an option for Schedule 2 medications like Adderall, Ritalin or Vyvanse. Patients also have the option of obtaining a 90 day supply of medication from their pharmacy at one time (with physician approval) which reduces the need to request a refill every month from the pharmacy. 

Beginner's Guide to Nuvigil Use for ADHD Management 

BLOG DISCUSSION: Beginners Guide to Nuvigil Use for ADHD
Click the button abovce to access the blog discussion.

How Well Does Nuvigil Work?

User Reviews on GoodRx.com
​On GoodRx.com Nuvigil received a higher rating than Adderall by users. 82% of users approved Nuvigil whereas 74% approved Adderall. Click the link below to read more...
Comparison on GoodRx.com
For patients who desire an extended release medication here is a comparison of Nuvigil to Vyvanse by the pharmaceutical experts from GoodRx.com
Comparison on Singlecare.com
Click below for a detailed discussion and comparison of Nuvigil and Adderall from the medical experts from Singlecare.com
User Reviews on Drugs.com
On Drugs.com Nuvigil has an average rating of 8.1 out of 10 for the off-label treatment of ADHD. 79% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 13% reported a negative experience.
Comparison of Nuvigil to Adderall from Iodine.com
On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 1 being unfavorable and 5 being very favorable) users on Iodine.com rated Nuvigil a 4.3 and Adderall a 3.9 for ADHD management

If you would like to change your ADD/ADHD medication to Nuvigil during the medication shortage please contact our office. 

Nova Wellness Center is a welcomed alternative to the fast-paced, impersonal, conventional-medical setting. Each patient who visits our facility is treated as an individual. We schedule adequate time to discuss your health concerns and wellness goals with you. We offer many evaluation and treatment modalities that utilize a holistic approach to medicine.

Our mission is to serve as an antidote to conventional healthcare. We educate our patients to promote wellness, prevent disease and decrease the need for prescription medications.

For your convenience we offer online scheduling for most of our services.
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Connect with Nova Wellness Center
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  • Home
    • We Moved to a New Location
    • Contact Us
  • Information
    • About Us
    • Hours & Location
    • Clinic Forms
    • Office Policies
    • Office Fees
    • Blog- Focus on Wellness
    • Clinic Manual (employee access only)
  • Services
    • ADHD Evaluation & Management >
      • Medication Shortage Information >
        • Nuvigil (Alternative Medication)
      • ADHD Management FAQs
    • Bioidentical Hormone Therapy >
      • BioTe Forms & Information
      • Thyroid Disorders
      • Adrenal Fatigue
      • Female Hormones
      • Male Hormones
    • Wellness/Functional Medicine >
      • Cardiometabolic Health
      • Digestive Health >
        • GI MAP Comprehensive Stool Analysis
      • NeuroCognitive Health
    • Nutrition & Micronutrient Testing >
      • Micronutrient Testing
  • SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT
    • Physician Visit
    • BioTE Hormone Replacement
    • MedSpa Service
    • Blood Draw for Lab Work or Injection
  • ORDER PRODUCTS
    • Order & ship direct from the manufacturer
    • Order & ship direct from our office inventory