Armodafinil is a mild stimulant that promotes wakefulness.
Armodafinil is used to treat excessive sleepiness caused by sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or shift work sleep disorder. The FDA approved armodafinil on June 15, 2007. Ever since then, it has been prescribed in the treatment of obstructive sleeping patterns. It was considered for treating jet-lag, but in 2010 the FDA did not approve it.
Abstract
Armodafinil is a mild stimulant that promotes wakefulness.
Armodafinil is used to treat excessive sleepiness caused by sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or shift work sleep disorder.
[1]
Brand Names
Nuvigil
[1]
History
The FDA approved armodafinil on June 15, 2007. Ever since then, it has been prescribed in the treatment of obstructive sleeping patterns. It was considered for treating jet-lag, but in 2010 the FDA did not approve it.
Pharmacology
The chemical formula is for armodafinil is: C15H15NO2S
The precise mechanism(s) through which armodafinil (R-enantiomer) or modafinil (mixture of R- and S-enantiomers) promote wakefulness is unknown. It has a very similar pharmacology to that of modafinil.
Armodafinil has wake-promoting actions similar to sympathomimetic agents including amphetamine and methylphenidate, although their pharmacologic profileis not identical to that of the sympathomimetic amines. In addition to its wake-promoting effects and ability to increase locomotor activity in animals, modafinil produces psychoactive and euphoric effects, alterations in mood, perception, thinking, and feelings typical of other CNS stimulants in humans.
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Uses
It is used in the treatment of narcolepsy and shift work sleep disorder, and as an adjunctive treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. For narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea.
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Scheduling
In the US, it is a Schedule IV drug. Being a controlled substance, it has some potential for addiction.
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Withdrawal Effects
Research has indicated that there are no specific symptoms of withdrawal associated with modafinil, although sleepiness returned in narcoleptic patients.
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Long term effects
Possible long term effects could include:
agitation
difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
restlessness
disorientation
confusion
hallucinating
nausea
diarrhea
fast or slow heartbeat
chest pain
[1]
Physical effects
fever, sore throat, headache, and vomiting with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;
easy bruising or bleeding;
white patches or sores inside your mouth;
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Psychological treatment options
As it is a mild addictive substance, there are no specific withdrawal symptoms associated with it.
Medical Treatment options
Currently, there are no medical treatment options, as the potential for addiction is very low.
Pychological Treament
Besides breaking away from the loop of taking the drug, no other psychological methods are used.
Related Synthetics
Modafinil
Adrafinil
Ampakines
References
[1] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000416/
[2] http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/archives/fdaDrugInfo.cfm?archiveid=11989
[3] http://www.nuvigil.com/hcp/
[4] http://www.nuvigil.com/media/Medication_Guide.pdf
[5] http://www.rxlist.com/nuvigil-drug.htm
