Armodafinil Warnings- An Overview Of Its Safety Profile, Interaction & Side Effects

It is essential to be aware of Armodafinil warnings as the Nootropic has gained immense popularity over the years for its efficacy and tolerability. 

Armodafinil is a prescription drug classified as a eugeroic compound that helps promote wakefulness and alertness in the user. It is sold under various brand names such as Nuvigil, Waklert, and Artvigil.  Factors such as its online availability, off-label benefits, affordability, and low health risks make it a common medication for misuse.  Thus, leading to the non-prescription use of Armodafinil 150 mg.

So, this guide on Armodafinil warnings focuses on providing better information on its long-term use and safety guidelines.

Benefits Of Armodafinil 150 mg

Armodafinil is an FDA-approved drug known for its on-label and off-label uses. It is similar to Modafinil as it contains the R-enantiomer of Modafinil, making it 1.3 percent more potent and more effective than Modafinil [1]. 

Doctors prescribe people buy Armodafinil 150 mg for treating excessive daytime sleepiness caused by Narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and night shift sleep disorder. 

On the other hand, the off-label use of the Nootropic includes boosting the user's cognitive ability and energy level and helping achieve better mental health.

Armodafinil 150 mg side effects 

Armodafinil is a well-tolerated drug with a low possibility of causing side effects. A few people might experience mild to moderate health issues that do not require immediate medical help. However, if the signs persist or get worse with time, it is advisable to consult a doctor. 

Some of the common side effects of Armodafinil are listed below. 

• Dry Mouth

• Headache

• Difficulty Sleeping

• Agitation

• Palpitation

• Trouble breathing

• Chest Pain

The list is do not include of all the possible side effects of Armodafinil, and therefore, one can experience other symptoms too apart from the one mentioned here. 

Armodafinil Warnings 

People taking Armodafinil dosage with medical consultation may follow the instruction given by their physician. However, some of the Armodafinil warnings that one should be aware of when taking this Nootropic are mentioned below. 

• There are no studies or evidence to back up the effect of Armodafinil in pediatric patients. Therefore, using the Nootropic is not advisable for children [2]. 

• Go for an allergy test to ensure that you are not allergic to the compounds present in the formulation of the Nootropic. Several cases of rash and mouth blister appear in studies. 

• Do not take Armodafinil with alcohol, as it can cause tolerance, dizziness, and drowsiness. 

• Pregnant and lactating women should avoid Armodafinil dose as it can cross the blood barrier of the mother to reach the growing fetus. 

• People over 65 and below 17 years old should consult a doctor before taking the Nootropic. 

• The kidney and the liver are responsible for the metabolism and elimination of the drug. Therefore, the Nootropic is not advisable for anybody suffering from any disorder in the renal and hepatic systems. 

• Patients already under other treatment should refrain from or consult a physician before taking Nootropic with other medication to avoid drug interactions. It can lower the drug's potency and make it take longer to show efficacy. 

• Armodafinil is a centrally-acting drug and thus can affect the motor nerves. Therefore patients should drive automobiles or use heavy machinery with caution. 

Armodafinil Abuse 

Overdosing and improper administration of Armodafinil can cause adverse effects on the user. Therefore it is crucial to take the correct Armodafinil dose and follow the instructions given by your medical practitioner. 

The non-prescription Armodafinil users should follow the package inserts with their medication for better information on Armodafinil warnings, the product, and its usage.

Armodafinil Abuse-

Armodafinil causes euphoric effects in the user, thus contributing to its abuse potential. It is also taken with other substances and compounds in larger doses to achieve desired elation results.

 Armodafinil abuse includes a risk of overdosing similar to Modafinil, resulting in insomnia, agitation, hallucinations, tachycardia, sweating, anxiety, and dizziness. Some other symptoms of this CNS stimulant abuse include sweating, restlessness, hyperactivity, flushed skin, decreased appetite, etc. [3].

Armodafinil (Nuvigil) Abuse- Therapeutic help 

Several treatment options are available for Armodafinil abuse and addiction. The most recommended line of treatment for these conditions is-

• Going for detox- the detox treatment includes a gradual decrease in the intake of the Nootropic until the body adjusts without the presence of the drug. 

• Choosing Residential Rehab options.

• Taking therapies that include cognitive-behavioral therapy, family therapy, and PTSD therapy

• Addicts can also take the 12 steps programs for staying sober and avoiding misuse of prescription medications. 

Armodafinil withdrawal

The sudden discontinuation of the Armodafinil 150 mg dose can cause withdrawal symptoms like psychological conditions. It is advisable not to change the dose without a doctor's consultation. Before completely stopping the drug, do consult your doctor. 

 It is significant to note that not everyone will experience similar Armodafinil withdrawal. However, in most cases, the timeline for experiencing withdrawal is short and observed a few hours from the last dose taken. 

Nuvigil Withdrawal Symptoms-

The withdrawal signs visible in people who abruptly terminate the use of Armodafinil 150 mg are

• Chills

• Nausea

• Shaking

• Vomiting

• Confusion

Long-term use of Armodafinil

One can take it up to 12 weeks [3]. Armodafinil warnings indicate that non-prescription use of the Nootropic is advisable for three continuous weeks. People wanting to take the Armodafinil doses for an extended period can consult a doctor.

 

 

The graph above, published by Jed E Black et al. on Pubmed, is from a study on the efficacy and tolerability of long-term use of Armodafinil. He researched it for 12 weeks on patients suffering from excessive daytime sleepiness. This study indicates that Armodafinil remained effective and showed no severe side effects in patients with long-term use. 

The graph also represents how using Armodafinil lowers the symptoms of Narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder in people [3]. 

Prolong Use Effects Of Armodafinil

The chances of Armodafinil side effects from the long-term use are  low. The Armodafinil side effects that can arise from taking the Nootropic for much longer than prescribed are-

• Pounding of the heart

• Mood swings

• Rare thoughts

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Weakness

Armodafinil Warnings: Potential Drug Interactions

One Armodafinil warnings include its potency to interact with other medications when taken together. They interact with about 481 drugs, 35 causing severe interactions and the rest mild to moderate [4]. 

Some medicines that cause intense Armodafinil interactions are listed below. 

• Tranylcypromine

• Isocarboxazid

• Phenelzine

• Cobimetinib

• Linezolid

• Selegiline Transdermal

• Ritonavir

Therefore, it is crucial to take prior consultation with a health expert if you are on any other treatments or drugs.

Duration of Armodafinil in the system

The Armodafinil drug gets metabolized in the liver. It exhibits a potent analgesic effect on the body. The onset of the action of Armodafinil 150 mg is 30 minutes and lasts 12 to 14 hours. The principal elimination of the Nootropic is through urine.

The graph shows the concentration of Armodafinil that remains in the body for 24 hours after its intake [5]. It shows that the body cannot remove the Nootropic from the system after 24 hours. Therefore, it takes almost 48 hours to eliminate Armodafinil from the system. Several factors that can influence how long Armodafinil stays in the system are-

• Age

• Organ function

• Metabolism

• Dosage level

• Strength of the dose 

Armodafinil Warnings, Withdrawal, And Abuse - The Bottom Line

Armodafinil is a safe and well-tolerated medication that is popular for both it's off-label and prescription uses. Some of the key Armodafinil Warnings that we have come across in this article and should be given attention to are listed below. 

• Its use with other medications can cause an interaction that may potentially lower the effectiveness of the medication, resulting in side effects. 

• Even though it is a Schedule IV drug with a very low possibility of abuse, improper dosing and administration may result in Armodafinil addiction. 

• The euphoric effect of the Nootropic is one of the key reasons for its misuse. 

• Armodafinil has a lower health risk, but the occurrence of side effects from the Nootropic cannot be completely ruled out. 

• Long-term use of Armodafinil can result in nausea, mood swings, dizziness, and palpitation. 

Thus, it is advisable to take Armodafinil after consulting a doctor.