Armodafinil (Nuvigil)
ar-moh-DAY-fuh-nil
Category
Compound type
Phase / Status
FDA approved for sleep disorders
Standard Dose
As directed
Half-life
Plasma elimination
Route(s)
Oral, Injectable or Topical
Research Stage
Regulatory approval granted; post-market monitoring ongoing.
Overview
Armodafinil (Nuvigil) is the R-enantiomer of modafinil and is prescribed to treat certain sleep disorders. People often describe it as promoting alertness with fewer "crash" sensations than some traditional stimulants, but individual responses vary. If you use it, timing matters - taking it too late can interfere with sleep. Only use it under a clinician's guidance, especially if you have heart rhythm issues, uncontrolled hypertension, or take interacting medications.
Plain-language summary
Armodafinil (Nuvigil) is the R-enantiomer of modafinil and is prescribed to treat certain sleep disorders. People often describe it as promoting alertness with fewer "crash" sensations than some traditional stimulants, but individual responses vary. If you use it, timing matters - taking it too late can interfere with sleep. Only use it under a clinician's guidance, especially if you have heart rhythm issues, uncontrolled hypertension, or take interacting medications.
Administration Routes
- Oral
- Injectable
- Topical
Also known as
Mechanisms
Wakefulness-promoting agent
Detailed mechanism
Armodafinil is the R-enantiomer of modafinil and promotes wakefulness primarily by inhibiting the dopamine reuptake transporter (DAT), increasing extracellular dopamine concentrations in arousal-regulating brain regions including the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex. Unlike amphetamines, it does not trigger mass catecholamine release, resulting in a cleaner stimulant profile with lower abuse potential. It also modulates norepinephrine, histamine, and orexin/hypocretin signaling pathways, which collectively sustain wakefulness and support executive function during sleep-deprived states.
Safety
Side effects
- Headache
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
Reported benefits
- Wakefulness
- Cognitive support
- Reduced daytime sleepiness
Safety profile
Consult medical professional before use
Clinical trials
See research status
Structure
Verified structure
Armodafinil (Nuvigil)
Exact 2D structure can be rendered from a PubChem-backed canonical SMILES string.
- Chemical Formula
- C15H15NO2S
- Molecular Weight
- 273.4 g/mol
- CAS Number
- 112111-43-0
- InChIKey
- YFGHCGITMMYXAQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Stack Context
No stack data available.
References
- 1View source
NUVIGIL (armodafinil) tablets - prescribing information (FDA)
2017
- 2View source
A positron emission tomography study examining the dopaminergic activity of armodafinil in adults using [11C]altropane and [11C]raclopride (Psychopharmacology)
2010
- 3View source
Armodafinil in the treatment of excessive sleepiness associated with shift work disorder: a randomized controlled study (Mayo Clin Proc)
2009
This profile summarizes research literature for education only. It is not medical advice, and it does not diagnose, treat, or recommend a dose. Consult a qualified professional before changing a protocol.