Armodafinil
FDA Drug Information • Also known as: Armodafinil, Nuvigil
- Brand Names
- Armodafinil, Nuvigil
- Route
- ORAL
- Dosage Form
- TABLET
- Product Type
- HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
Description
Armodafinil is a wakefulness-promoting agent for oral administration. Armodafinil is the R-enantiomer of modafinil which is a 1:1 mixture of the R- and S-enantiomers. The chemical name for armodafinil is 2-[(R)-(diphenylmethyl)sulfinyl]acetamide. The molecular formula is C15H15NO2S and the molecular weight is 273.35. The chemical structure is: [Chemical Structure] Armodafinil is a white to off-white, crystalline powder that is slightly soluble in methanol and in acetone, slightly soluble in ethanol and practically insoluble in water. Armodafinil tablets contain 50 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, and 250 mg of armodafinil and the following inactive ingredients: croscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, and povidone.
What Is Armodafinil Used For?
Armodafinil tablets are indicated to improve wakefulness in adult patients with excessive sleepiness associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), narcolepsy, or shift work disorder (SWD). Limitations of Use In OSA, armodafinil tablets are indicated to treat excessive sleepiness and not as treatment for the underlying obstruction. If continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the treatment of choice for a patient, a maximal effort to treat with CPAP for an adequate period of time should be made prior to initiating armodafinil tablets for excessive sleepiness.
Dosage and Administration
2.1 Dosage in Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and Narcolepsy The recommended dosage of armodafinil tablets for patients with OSA or narcolepsy is 150 mg to 250 mg taken orally once a day as a single dose in the morning. In patients with OSA, doses up to 250 mg/day, given as a single dose, have been well tolerated, but there is no consistent evidence that these doses confer additional benefit beyond that of the 150 mg/day dose [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY (12.3) and CLINICAL STUDIES (14.1, 14.2)]. 2.2 Dosage in Shift Work Disorder (SWD) The recommended dosage of armodafinil tablets for patients with SWD is 150 mg taken orally once a day as a single dose approximately 1 hour prior to the start of their work shift. 2.3 Dosage Modification in Patients with Severe Hepatic Impairment In patients with severe hepatic impairment, the dosage of armodafinil tablets should be reduced [see USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS (8.6) and CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY (12.3)]. 2.4 Use in Geriatric Patients Consideration should be given to the use of lower doses and close monitoring in geriatric patients [see USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS (8.5)].
Side Effects (Adverse Reactions)
The following serious adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in the labeling: Serious Dermatologic Reactions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.1)] Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and System Symptoms (DRESS)/Multiorgan Hypersensitivity [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.2)] Angioedema and Anaphylaxis Reactions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.3)] Persistent Sleepiness [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.4)] Psychiatric Symptoms [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.5)] Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machinery [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.6)] Cardiovascular Events [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.7)] 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Armodafinil has been evaluated for safety in over 1,100 patients with excessive sleepiness associated with OSA, SWD, and narcolepsy. Most Common Adverse Reactions In the placebo-controlled clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions (≥ 5%) associated with the use of armodafinil more frequently than in placebo-treated patients were headache, nausea, dizziness, and insomnia. The adverse reaction profile was similar across the studies. Table 1 presents the adverse reactions that occurred at a rate of 1% or more and were more frequent in armodafinil-treated patients than in placebo-treated patients in the placebo-controlled clinical trials. Table 1: Adverse Reactions in Pooled Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials* in OSA, Narcolepsy, and SWD with Armodafinil (150 mg and 250 mg) * Adverse reactions that occurred in ≥ 1% of armodafinil-treated patients and greater incidence than that of placebo. Armodafinil (%) N=645 Placebo (%) N=445 Headache 17 9 Nausea 7 3 Dizziness 5 2 Insomnia 5 1 Anxiety 4 1 Diarrhea 4 2 Dry Mouth 4 1 Depression 2 0 Dyspepsia 2 0 Fatigue 2 1 Palpitations 2 1 Rash 2 0 Upper Abdominal Pain 2 1 Agitation 1 0 Anorexia 1 0 Constipation 1 0 Contact Dermatitis 1 0 Decreased Appetite 1 0 Depressed Mood 1 0 Disturbance In Attention 1 0 Dyspnea 1 0 Hyperhydrosis 1 0 Increased Gamma-Glutamyltransferase 1 0 Increased Heart Rate 1 0 Influenza-Like Illness 1 0 Loose Stools 1 0 Migraine 1 0 Nervousness 1 0 Pain 1 0 Paresthesia 1 0 Polyuria 1 0 Pyrexia 1 0 Seasonal Allergy 1 0 Thirst 1 0 Tremor 1 0 Vomiting 1 0 Dose-Dependent Adverse Reactions In the placebo-controlled clinical trials which compared doses of 150 mg/day and 250 mg/day of armodafinil and placebo, the following adverse reactions were dose-related: headache, rash, depression, dry mouth, insomnia, and nausea. See Table 2 for additional information. Table 2: Dose-Dependent Adverse Reactions in Pooled Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials in OSA, Narcolepsy and SWD Armodafinil 250 mg (%) N=198 Armodafinil 150 mg (%) N=447 Armodafinil Combined (%) N=645 Placebo (%) N=445 Headache 23 14 17 9 Nausea 9 6 7 3 Insomnia 6 4 5 1 Dry Mouth 7 2 4 <1 Rash 4 1 2 <1 Depression 3 1 2 <1 Adverse Reactions Resulting in Discontinuation of Treatment In placebo-controlled clinical trials, 44 of the 645 patients (7%) who received armodafinil discontinued due to an adverse reaction compared to 16 of the 445 (4%) of patients that received placebo. The most frequent reason for discontinuation was headache (1%). Laboratory Abnormalities Clinical chemistry, hematology, and urinalysis parameters were monitored in the studies. Mean plasma levels of gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) were found to be higher following administration of armodafinil, but not placebo. Few patients, however, had GGT or AP elevations outside of the normal range. No differences were apparent in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein, albumin, or total bilirubin, although there were rare cases of isolated elevations of AST and/or ALT. A single case of...
Drug Interactions
Effects of Armodafinil on CYP3A4/5 Substrates The clearance of drugs that are substrates for CYP3A4/5 (e.g., steroidal contraceptives, cyclosporine, midazolam, and triazolam) may be increased by armodafinil via induction of metabolic enzymes, which results in lower systemic exposure. Dosage adjustment of these drugs should be considered when these drugs are used concomitantly with armodafinil [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY (12.3)]. The effectiveness of steroidal contraceptives may be reduced when used with armodafinil and for one month after discontinuation of therapy. Alternative or concomitant methods of contraception are recommended for patients taking steroidal contraceptives (e.g., ethinyl estradiol) when treated concomitantly with armodafinil and for one month after discontinuation of armodafinil treatment. Blood levels of cyclosporine may be reduced when used with armodafinil. Monitoring of circulating cyclosporine concentrations and appropriate dosage adjustment for cyclosporine should be considered when used concomitantly with armodafinil. Effects of Armodafinil on CYP2C19 Substrates Elimination of drugs that are substrates for CYP2C19 (e.g., phenytoin, diazepam, propranolol, omeprazole, and clomipramine) may be prolonged by armodafinil via inhibition of metabolic enzymes, with resultant higher systemic exposure. Dose reduction of these drugs may be required when these drugs are used concomitantly with armodafinil. Warfarin More frequent monitoring of prothrombin times/INR should be considered whenever armodafinil is coadministered with warfarin [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY (12.3)]. Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) Inhibitors Caution should be used when concomitantly administering MAO inhibitors and armodafinil.
Contraindications
Armodafinil tablets are contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to modafinil or armodafinil or its inactive ingredients [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS (5.1, 5.2, 5.3)].
Overdosage
Fatal overdoses involving modafinil alone or involving armodafinil or modafinil in combination with other drugs have been reported in the postmarketing setting. Symptoms most often accompanying armodafinil or modafinil overdose, alone or in combination with other drugs, have included anxiety, dyspnea, insomnia; central nervous system symptoms such as restlessness, disorientation, confusion, excitation and hallucination; digestive changes such as nausea and diarrhea; and cardiovascular changes such as tachycardia, bradycardia, hypertension, and chest pain. No specific antidote exists for the toxic effects of a armodafinil overdose. Such overdoses should be managed with primarily supportive care, including cardiovascular monitoring.
How Supplied
16.1 How Supplied Armodafinil Tablets, 50 mg are white to off-white, round shaped uncoated tablets debossed with ‘K’ on one side and ‘58’ on the other side. Bottles of 30 NDC 72189-464-30 Bottles of 60 NDC 65862-805-60 Bottles of 500 NDC 65862-805-05 Armodafinil Tablets, 150 mg are white to off-white, oval shaped uncoated tablets debossed with ‘K’ on one side and ‘59’ on the other side. Bottles of 30 NDC 65862-806-30 Bottles of 60 NDC 65862-806-60 Bottles of 500 NDC 65862-806-05 Armodafinil Tablets, 200 mg are white to off-white rounded, rectangular uncoated tablets debossed with ‘10’ on one side and ‘N’ on the other side. Bottles of 30 NDC 65862-998-30 Armodafinil Tablets, 250 mg are white to off-white, oval shaped uncoated tablets debossed with ‘K’ on one side and ‘60’ on the other side. Bottles of 30 NDC 65862-807-30 Bottles of 60 NDC 65862-807-60 Bottles of 500 NDC 65862-807-05
About This Information
This drug information is sourced from FDA-approved labeling via the openFDA database. It is intended for educational and reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about medication. Drug information may be updated by the FDA; check with your pharmacist for the most current information.
What are side effects?
Side effects are unwanted reactions that can occur when taking a medication. They range from mild (headache, nausea) to severe (allergic reactions, organ damage). Not everyone experiences side effects, and severity varies. Report any concerning side effects to your doctor.
What are drug interactions?
Drug interactions occur when a medication is affected by another drug, food, or supplement. Interactions can make medications less effective or cause dangerous side effects. Always tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.