0
March 25, 2022 
By 
Nuvigil is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat depression. However, some studies show that Nuvigil may be helpful in treating the symptoms of depression.
Nuvigil for depression is an off-label benefit and must be taken after consulting a doctor.
Nuvigil for depression is one of the most popular study subjects. It is the brand name of Armodafinil and is an effective Nootropic that helps us stay active and alert. The effect of Nuvigil on depression can be helpful for people with mental disorders.
By enhancing focus, alertness, and concentration, Nuvigil 150 mg can also work as a cognitive enhancer. Several clinical studies support using Nuvigil for depression; however, no decision must be made without consulting a doctor.
Now, one thing that you must be wondering is whether Nuvigil for depression is effective. Let’s try to find out the answer in this context.
Depression and its Causes
Before we understand the relationship between Nuvigil and depression, we must first understand what depression is.
Depression is considered a mood disorder. It can make one suffer from long-lasting and intense sadness and hopelessness, and one may also lose interest in anything related to depression. Pain symptoms, changes in appetite, fatigue, and sleep issues; are some physical symptoms of depression.
Depression has no single cause. There are various reasons and triggers for depression. If the cause of depression for some people is a stressful life event like divorce, sometimes it is an illness or maybe the loss of something or someone. Sometimes, it can be a combination of different causes that trigger depression. [1]
Nuvigil - A brief introduction
Nuvigil (Armodafinil) is a central nervous system stimulant that promotes wakefulness. Narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work sleep apnea are all conditions that cause extreme daytime sleepiness.
The Food and Drug Administration approved Nuvigil in 2007 for the treatment of sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or shift work disorder.
|
What form does this drug come in? |
Oral form |
|
What strength does this drug come in? |
50 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, and 250 mg |
|
Half-life |
15 hours |
|
Is this a controlled substance? |
Yes |
How does Nuvigil affect the brain?
Nuvigil acts on a person's brain to help enhance its activity. It targets the hypothalamus region to improve its cognitive ability and the person's energy level.
Nuvigil affects serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, histamine, and orexin. It affects brain dopamine, and dopamine boosts happiness. Depressed people may lack dopamine. This drug slows the absorption of dopamine in the brain. This keeps more dopamine in the brain, improving mood and reducing depression.
Armodafinil for depression
Using Nuvigil, the brand name of Armodafinil for depression is one way that could help people fight these conditions, which are well known to positively impact mood.
Nuvigil for depression is not the first line of treatment but is recommended for people who do not show effective results from their generic anti-depressants.
While the nootropic is mainly used to promote wakefulness, its off-label benefits include the ability to complete tasks without any distractions, enhanced concentration, better time management, and a reduction in social anxiety.
There is a significant mood-boosting component to Armodafinil's effects. Many users observe that Nuvigil promotes sunny thoughts, excitement, and motivation and decreases feelings of stress [2].
Cephalon is one of the leading producers of Armodafinil and Nuvigil, and the pharmaceutical company is testing the efficacy and potency of Nuvigil for depression. Their studies have noted favorable data from the phase II clinical trial. Nuvigil stabilizes mood disorders and helps improve the signs of depression [3].
Nuvigil for bipolar depression
Bipolar disorder is a mental illness that causes abrupt mood swings, including emotional highs (hypomania) and lows (depression), such as when you feel down one day yet ecstatic and energized the next. Manic depression was the previous name for this condition.
There are several studies that have shown Armodafinil to be an effective treatment option for bipolar depression. A few relevant and popular research are shown below.
If your physician has prescribed Armodafinil after evaluating your condition and health needs, you can purchase Armodafinil from HealthMatter. Often, it is prescribed as an adjunctive treatment along with their primary depressants for better results.
Scientific Studies Evaluating The Effects Of Nuvigil On Bipolar Depression
A study depicting Armodafinil's long-term safety and efficacy in bipolar depression shows it to be safe and well-tolerated over six months of use. It is also seen to improve depressive symptoms in some patients with bipolar I depression [4].
Another study analyzed Armodafinil as an adjunctive for major depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder. It showcases the use of Nuvigil or Armodafinil 150 mg daily to reduce depressive symptoms associated with bipolar disorder [5].
Is depression an after-effect of Nuvigil?
Nuvigil is an excellent choice for enhancing your mood without the risk of depression when used correctly. However, abusing armodafinil can lead to depression and other unpleasant side effects. That's why it's important to take Nuvigil under medical supervision to ensure the best possible results.
If the administration of Nuvigil causes unusual effects on the body or mood, it is better to seek a doctor’s help.
Nuvigil dosage for depression
The use of Nuvigil for depression is one of its off-label uses. So there is no specific recommendation for the Nuvigil dosage. The standard dose of Nuvigil is 150mg, and it can also be taken for mental health issues, including depression [6].
Administration of Nuvigil dosage for depression:
-
Take Nuvigil dosage with or without food. When you take the nootropic dosage without food, it can show an immediate effect.
-
Do not overdose on the medication.
-
It should be taken as a whole without being broken or crushed.
-
The best time to take Nuvigil dosage is in the morning. Avoid the intake of the Nootropic in the late evening to avoid sleep disturbance.
-
The consumption of alcohol or other medication is not advisable with Nuvigil 150mg.
Nuvigil reviews for Depression
Armodafinil has a rating of 7.1 out of 10 from 153 reviews on the website Drugs. It has 64% positive reviews, whereas 16% reported a negative experience.
Other reviews indicating user experiences on Nuvigil for depression are taken from Reddit and Quora to form a better overview of its benefits and adverse effects.
Nuvigil for Depression side effects (Bipolar depression)
Some of the common side effects of Nuvigil for depression are headache, insomnia, and anxiety, whereas some of the uncommon side effects associated with the nootropic are akathisia, nausea, weight gain, and sedation or somnolence [4].
Nuvigil and Depression - The Verdict
Nuvigil's effective effect on depression could bring relief to many people suffering from mood disorders and mental imbalances. Intended to be used as a wakefulness-promoting drug, Nuvigil has some off-label indications that are potentially effective in fighting depression.
