Nuvigil for Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome User Reviews
Nuvigil has an average rating of 8.4 out of 10 from a total of 34 reviews for the treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome. 82% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 6% reported a negative experience.
Reviews for Nuvigil
- wpcj
- September 8, 2014
"I was undiagnosed with severe obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome for 10 years. I would sleep from 9 to 11 hours a night and was still tired. I also had terrible headaches whenever I woke up. I had surgery for a deviated septum and had my uvula removed. CPAP was a huge improvement, but I still woke up tired and foggy. I still had to nap during the day. My doctor and I fought for 2 years with the insurance company to get approved for Nuvigil. Without insurance, I would have to pay $719 per month for 30 pills (150 mg). With insurance, my copay is $50. Since taking Nuvigil, my life has changed for the better. I wake up without the fog and can stay active for 15 hours without taking a nap. Nuvigil gave me my life back!"
- crazy...
- Taken for 5 to 10 years
- April 30, 2016
"Been on this RX since its release, prior to that Provigil. (I've also had 5 OSA corrective surgical operations that weren't mind-blowingly successful for 4+ months of downtime & in-and-out of the hospital with complications for a month.) I take 500 mg/day in 2 doses split by 5 hours, each dose with 20 mg Dexedrine. (Plus a 3rd 20 mg dose of Dex.) To be short, I couldn't have the energy to write this message, let alone work or at times even drive. For me, it's all about the timing of the doses, it took me years to find the RIGHT way to take this RX for ME. 250 didn't work, 2 different insurance companies approved 500. Be prepared to fight for approval, don't give up. I got used to hearing 'no' until I followed all insurance steps for complex approval."
Frequently asked questions
- Nuvigil (armodafinil) vs Provigil (modafinil): How do they compare?
- How long does it take for Nuvigil to work?
- Why is Nuvigil a controlled substance?
- Anonymous
- July 15, 2009
"I have been taking Provigil for several years now. I just started Nuvigil today, and it feels much different. It used to be that I took one Provigil, and I would be sleepy and have foggy head, but two Provigils made me feel wired and nauseous. Today I took one Nuvigil around 10:30 a.m. and have felt even and awake all day long. Hopefully, this will last."
- Anonymous
- January 24, 2013
"I have just started taking Nuvigil for a few days now. For the last few years, I have been taking medicines to calm me down and ease my stress levels. I felt like I was a walking zombie most of the time when I was awake, but most of the time, I just slept. I can't believe how amazing this medicine is, the cloudiness is gone. I feel like Rip Van Winkle when he finally woke up. Wow!"
Are you taking this medicine?
- Arturo...
- August 15, 2019
"It has made my world a different place, I've been on Nuvigil for 3 years. My ability to think and perform my job have been restored and enhanced to a higher state of mind. I have read it is used by the military pilots for long missions without the aggression side effects of amphetamine based medication."
- will
- February 12, 2013
"I have suffered with severe OSAH syndrome for 15 years. I have undergone two surgeries to help 'clear' my airway with very short-term positive effects. For years, I 'slept' for at least nine hours a night and still napped for 2 to 4 hours every day. I awoke EVERY morning with my uvula so swollen it felt like I was swallowing it, and with a severely dry mouth and nagging headache. When I was awake, I was in a fog. CPAP helped, but I still had to nap during the day. 6 months ago, my pulmonologist prescribed Nuvigil, and my life changed. It is a miracle medication. I never go without my CPAP, and I take 250 mg Nuvigil around 9 a.m., and I can now have a normal, productive day. In addition, as long as I am CPAP compliant, my insurance pays all but $5."
- hawle...
- Taken for 6 months to 1 year
- September 21, 2012
"I have sleep apnea and use the C-PAP but still felt so tired, and my mind did not work. My sleep doctor prescribed Nuvigil 150 mg. It was and is a miracle pill. I have taken it for 11 months. I feel like a new person with so much more energy. I deal with diabetes type 2, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, acid reflux, and depression. I am not overweight and am the only one in my large family with these problems, but Nuvigil has helped me to cope much better. I was worried about it becoming habit-forming and having to take larger and larger doses. But I only take 1/2 tablet in the morning usually. If I am going to be busier than normal, sometimes I take the other half at lunch. But not often. It is still my miracle pill."
- Sleep...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- November 6, 2013
"Have had sleep apnea for a while and started using a CPAP machine alone about 6 months before also adding Nuvigil. Nuvigil helps me get through my work shifts more effectively, especially when transitioning from working 3rd shift to having 3 days off and having to conform to a normal sleep pattern. I liken this medication to taking a 5 hr energy, but it is more effective and lasts longer. I still yawn, but my brain is fully alert and I am able to concentrate like I haven't been able to in years. I'm quite impressed - only side effects have been minor headaches a few days a month and at first a slight nauseated feeling. No jitters or nervousness - love it! Insurance co-pay was $45.00, but the Nuvigil Rx Savings Card brought my co-pay down to $5."
- Steve...
- March 28, 2013
"I have OSAH, and for the couple of years before this medicine, I couldn't drive more than 1 hour or focus at work. I would fall asleep regardless of the amount of sleep I got at night. My CPAP helped, but I still dozed off during the day. Since Nuvigil, things are better, but I still have some sleepiness if I have a rough week of less than 8 hours of sleep at night. Insurance pays most, but thank you to the manufacturer who helps cover a portion, or else it would be costly."
- Posta...
- Taken for 1 to 6 months
- June 9, 2016
"I have severe sleep apnea and was put on a CPAP machine. I never felt like it did any good,was still tired as heck. Dr.put me on Nuvigil and it is great. Some days I am still tires but not like before."
- jayski
- April 27, 2016
"Prescribed to help with feeling exhausted due to suspected sleep apnea. Having a sleep test later this month. In the meantime, the doctor felt Nuvigil may be of benefit. The drug had me bouncing off the walls for the first couple of days, but I did feel better - alert and with more energy than I'd had in quite some time. I was very pleased, but then, disappointingly, after day four of being on the drug, I began to experience difficulty swallowing and my lips became numb. My throat then began to close, and I was having difficulty breathing. My wife rushed me to the emergency room, where I eventually passed out. I was pumped full of Benadryl and Prednisone until my breathing began to return to normal. I felt the drug was working until the reaction."
- dlswen
- January 16, 2013
"I have used a C-PAP for about 4 years. Before that, I was on 2 liters of oxygen at night for 6 years. I always had some daytime sleepiness, but handled it with caffeine and, more recently, energy drinks. The sleepiness was getting worse, and I was having microsleeps during the day. Losing consciousness at work for a few seconds, waking and not knowing whether it was 3 seconds or 10 minutes. My sleep was good with the C-PAP, I thought, and the doctor read the chip from it, and it said it was good too. I was prescribed 150 mg of Nuvigil. It was as if half of my circuit breakers were off, and someone flipped them all back on. Startling, to say the least. The first 2 days, I had a low-grade headache. Had to cut way back on coffee. Miracle!"
- Jake...
- November 9, 2011
"Wow, I feel normal again. I had been living on 5 hours of sleep due to sleep apnea fears for years. I got tested and was given a CPAP machine. I felt great for about a month, then tired. I started sleeping 9 hours a day and drinking tons of coffee and soft drinks. Nothing helped. I went to my regular MD, and all blood work was good. Was told to start working out. Problem was I was too tired. I went back to sleep. MD gave me Nuvigil. Like I said, WOW. I did have a few rough days when I started taking the 250 mg pills, but it was nice to stay awake and have a life. Side effects (headaches and dry mouth) are going away."
- tamiw...
- April 15, 2010
"My sleep apnea doctor prescribed this for me as I still felt tired during the day. This has been a miracle drug. I have energy during the day, think clearly, and have noticed my memory recall is much better. (I am 51.) The downside of this drug is that it is not covered by most insurance. Too bad... because I feel so much better and alert with this medication."
- MYSELF...
- Taken for 2 to 5 years
- March 11, 2015
"For myself, I say it's been a wonder pill. All it does for me is it makes me normal after many years. Never knew it could be possible. Shift work, odd hours, 30 years of bad intermittent sleep? NOT NO MORE!"
- RDSMART
- April 22, 2016
"I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea about 5 years ago. I use a bilevel cpap every night. I am a 60 year old male. I have chronic and severe back pain also. Between the sleep apnea and pain meds I was sleeping up to 18 hours a day. After finally getting insurance coverage for Nuvigil 150mg I started it about 5 months ago. I take it everyday. The first day I took it I was up for 20 hours straight and felt better than I had in 15 years. This drug worked great. A couple of days ago something happened. All of a sudden I'm back to spending all day in bed and can't stay awake. I don't know what happened. Hopefully next week when I see my doctor I can find out. I hope I don't need a stronger dose already."
- Anony...
- October 23, 2010
"Nuvigil was a blessing when I started it 18 months ago. I was alert and focused, not depressed, and retained my creativity! I think I've become dependent upon it since I feel awful without it. This week, the doctor wants me to try going to 250 mg since I've been a bit down with shorter days and less focused. Due to cardiac conditions, amphetamines are not really a safe option. All said, at age 51, it's been pretty much a wonder drug treating multiple conditions."
- bizimom
- February 3, 2011
"I have sleep apnea and am a homeschooling mom of 3. Today was my first day taking this medicine, and I have made it through the whole day without somehow trying to make time to take a nap. It was actually a very productive day for me! I am so happy to maybe have finally found my miracle. I hope the progress continues, and I will write again soon to update the progress. It is 6:30 PM, and I am still okay. Laundry is going, dishes are done, and I am good."
- Anonymous
- August 6, 2010
"I am a 32-year-old male, and this is my second day on Nuvigil. Although I feel more alert at the start of the day, later in the day, when the medicine wears off, oh boy, does it wear off. I'm also feeling more hyper, moody, and an overall wanting to scream type of feeling. I'm going to give it a few more days."
- FARADAY
- August 16, 2011
"'This is the best medicine I've taken in 20 years.' These are the words I told my doctor after taking Nuvigil. I had major depression, major allergy, irritable bowel syndrome, and sleep apnea. You name the medicine, I took it, and it didn't work. So I didn't think this would either. I took one 150 mg in the morning, and it gave me a headache, but noticed it stopped my IBS all day. So, I cut it in half the next day, and it worked wonderfully for all my symptoms. It also helped my sex drive big time! Which was totally unexpected. It's the only medicine I need/take, but it's expensive."
- JDSum...
- Taken for less than 1 month
- October 24, 2019
"I started on 150mg Nuvigil but I was still tired. Dr. added Adderall but it is still not helpful throughout the day. I still feel like taking a nap. Thinking about going up to 250mg when I see the doctor next week."
- Sue
- April 27, 2011
"It's the best medicine I have ever taken besides my Nexium. I take 250 mg a day, I don't nap or get tired, not really any side effects that I can see. Besides, I'm bipolar, have ADHD and sleep apnea. I love it."
- nurse...
- August 7, 2011
"Well I can't say enough about finally finding a doctor with enough compassion to even give this medicine to me. I had this disorder for over 3 years before I even was diagnosed. I had to finally demand a sleep study from my primary care as he always discounts everything I say to him. When I got the results back, we went over it, and I saw I stopped breathing 140 times per hour, I was livid. I had been on lyrica as well, and that too made me very sleepy, so I was falling asleep no matter where I was, driving, sitting in a public place, and especially at home. Then I found her, and told her what was happening, what my new diagnosis was and she just wrote out this prescription without question at all. It has given me a new life, and I don't sleep all the time"
- Colle...
- April 25, 2012
"I am a 22 year old female college student. I take Pristiq antidepressant daily. I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (runs in my family) and I sleep with a CPAP machine which helps, but I was still tired and felt cloudy and unable to focus during the day. I started taking Nuvigil and it has really helped. I am prescribed to 250mg but I take the half dose. When I first started taking Nuvigil, I had awful headaches and sometimes I felt jittery. Nuvigil kept me up at night for the first few weeks but my body adjusted. I take it around 8am. I feel alert and am able to focus better in school. I only get a headache if I skipped a few days and they are not as bad."
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.
More about Nuvigil (armodafinil)
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (251)
- Drug images
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Generic availability
- Support group
- FDA approval history
- Drug class: CNS stimulants
- Breastfeeding
- En español
"I just started taking Nuvigil. Today is day 2. Before Nuvigil, I had been suffering for the past 3 years or so with marked fatigue. First, I decided I should do a sleep study. They discovered that I have sleep apnea and I stop breathing about 50 times an hour. I got the CPAP machine and used it every night for the past 3 months. It didn't make the difference I was hoping for. So, I talked to my doctor again, and since I have young children, I didn't want a sleeping medication, and so he prescribed Nuvigil. It's been a life changer. I have the energy I used to have when playing with the kids and taking them outside instead of lying on the couch every day."