What it is used for
- Reducing excessive sleepiness in adults with narcolepsy
- Improving wakefulness while continuing primary treatment for obstructive sleep apnoea
- Reducing sleepiness associated with shift-work disorder in selected patients
How it is used
- Take the tablet only as prescribed by a sleep specialist and at the time selected for your condition
- Do not change the amount or timing or stop suddenly after regular use without speaking to your clinician
- Continue airway-pressure therapy or other sleep-apnoea treatment as prescribed
- Do not rely on the medicine for driving or hazardous work if you remain sleepy
Possible side effects
- Headache or dizziness
- Nausea, dry mouth or stomach upset
- Insomnia, anxiety or irritability
- Raised blood pressure or palpitations
- Rarely, a serious skin rash, multi-organ allergy or severe psychiatric symptoms
Who should not use it
- Allergy to armodafinil, modafinil or any ingredient
- A previous serious skin or allergic reaction linked to modafinil or armodafinil
Before and while using it
- Stop and seek urgent help for rash, blisters, mouth sores, peeling skin, facial swelling or breathing difficulty
- Seek help for severe depression, suicidal thoughts, hallucinations, mania or aggression
- Sleepiness may persist despite treatment; do not drive until you and your clinician are satisfied it is safe
- Heart disease or high blood pressure requires caution and blood-pressure and pulse monitoring
- It can be misused and cause dependence and withdrawal; keep it secure and never share it
- It is not used in children because safety and effectiveness are unestablished and rash risk is important
Medicine interactions
- It reduces hormonal-contraceptive effectiveness, so use additional non-hormonal contraception during and after treatment as directed
- It can lower levels of some medicines cleared by liver enzymes, including selected immune or anxiety medicines
- It can raise levels of medicines such as phenytoin, diazepam, omeprazole and some antidepressants
- Warfarin needs closer monitoring and monoamine-oxidase inhibitors require caution
- Avoid alcohol and tell your clinician about every medicine, stimulant and supplement
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Tell your clinician if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy; it is generally avoided because of possible pregnancy harm and reduced hormonal-contraceptive effectiveness
- Ask your clinician before breastfeeding because transfer into milk and effects on the infant are unknown
How to store it
- Keep in the original pack in a secure place, away from children and anyone who may misuse it
Get medical help straight away if
- Your face, lips or tongue swell, or you find it hard to breathe.
- You get a severe rash, blistering or peeling skin.
- A side effect worries you or doesn’t go away: contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Questions about this medicine?
Talk to a doctor by video, or send your question by text.
Source: Standard international medicine references
This guide is general information and doesn’t replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Don’t start, stop or change a medicine without asking them, and always read the leaflet in the pack.