Nuvigil for Shift Work Sleep Disorder User Reviews

• Life...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 8, 2017

"I work two full-time jobs in Information Technology on a high level at both jobs. I have to be razor sharp or the effects could be catastrophic. I have been using Nuvigil for almost 16 months. When I was younger I was diagnosed with ADD and took Ritalin which helped but as I got older taking that was not realistic. Nuvigil has been a godsend. I am able to articulate my thoughts clearly, finish tasks at hand efficiently and timely, and also having ADD with Nuvigil it almost propels me in some weird microcosm of being smarter than 90% of the people around me. I am not sure how or why but that is my story and I gain nothing from this except hoping to help someone else who is lost in the woods "

• Joan...
• September 17, 2010

"I have now been on Nuvigil since mid July, 2010. My doctor was initially hesitant to prescribe it to me because he was of the opinion that I could just 'will away' my sleep disturbance. I have sleep apnea and shift work sleep disorder. He prescribed this begrudgingly as he figured all I needed was more self control. If that was all I needed, somewhere in the 20 years I was struggling with this, I should have had success. I tolerated his belittling because I needed his help. Starting on DAY 1, I began to tell a real difference with using Nuvigil. To me, it was a miracle medicine. I could finally stay awake in the daytime without feeling sleepy ALL THE TIME. Since starting this, I have had the energy to be highly productive everyday ever since."

• Johnjr
• May 30, 2013

"I am an industrial electrician. I work rotating 12 hours. After enough time my body got used to it and I was able to make it through the nights and not feel awful. Then I heard a commercial for Nuvigil. So I figured I would give it a try. This is not a miracle. This won't give you special powers and a super intelligence. What it has allowed me to do was still be able to think when I couldn't before. At 3 in the morning when a problem presents itself I need to be able to think through it. I don't feel an energy rush like with a cup of coffee. I feel like a normal person again. I'm able to not feel lethargic every single minute I'm awake."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 14, 2012

"I work nights in the Emergency Department as an RN at a large, very busy trauma center and have been for the past three years. This medication has been a lifesaver in terms of maintaining alertness throughout my shift without the shakes and nervous feeling like being overdosed on caffeine pills or energy drinks. I take the 250mg pill 1-2 hours before my shift at 7 pm and it carries me throughout the night. I used to take Provigil 100mg for two years before Nuvigil came out and found that I was taking up to 200mg doses a night. Nuvigil is great because it is cheaper, even with insurance and seems to last longer. I only take it four times a week when I work and that three day off time provides enough time for my body to not get used to it."

• Anonymous
• August 10, 2011

"I'm a firefighter/paramedic and I've been on Nuvigil for about 4 days now and I love it. I have never been a fan of taking medications but when between working 24 hour shifts, school full time and my 3 year old daughter I found myself exhausted all the time. I started drinking energy drinks and they worked but after awhile they got expensive so I started taking caffeine pills. After awhile my body needed the caffeine everyday but I didn't necessarily need it every day which I didn't like. I also didn't like my heart racing with the caffeine. Since starting Nuvigil I haven't had caffeine at all and I didn't have much of a withdrawal phase. It has had all the positive effects for me like a stimulant with none of the negative."

• jthole
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 14, 2014

"I've taken Provigil in the past for over 8 years due to severe IBDH & shift sleep disorder. When Nuvigil came out on market, my neurologist gave me samples to try. I found it AMAZING & much cleaner version, as I don't notice significant side effects. Most importantly - the abrupt feelings when it first "kicked in" in the mornings and sudden halt from wide awake to severe sleepiness. Less agitated and very clean even transition from its predecessor Provigil!"

• Tired...
• July 3, 2013

"Shift work at plant. Medicine allows me to think at 2 am when my body is shutting down. This medicine is not magic. You will not have magical capabilities to learn and solve the worlds problems. But you may function somewhat normally as a person again. Do feel some euphoria an hour after taking. "

• Night...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2016

"I work night shift and have little kids which don't understand I'm tired or care so Nuvigil is a life saver. I use to be extremely tired in the morning and want to just lay on the couch because I was tired but no more of that since nuvigil. I have lost 15 lbs in 6 months. Not sure if it's because I'm more active or if it's Nuvigil. My house is the cleanest it's ever been. The first couple of days I took the medication I couldn't sleep all night but that is not a problem anymore so give it a week for body to adjust."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 20, 2015

"Taking Nuvigil about 8 years for hypersomnia and SWD. It has greatly improved my quality of life. I was experiencing the insomnia that could result from this medicine, but once I found out the best time in my schedule to take it, insomnia is rarely an issue. I am grateful my doctor talked me into taking this medication so long ago."

• MS Gr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 19, 2015

"My Neuro prescribed these for the Holy Trinity: MS Fatigue + Uhtoff's Penomenon + Ten Hour Grave Shifts. She suggested Provigil or Nuvigil. And after learning I work 10-hour shifts; went for Nuvigil because it lasts longer. I totally had the "Beginner's High." I was a little manic; but staying up through my shift with only a bit of body tiredness. I have an easier time doing my complex, brain-consuming job (Network Engineer). I can fall asleep on schedule, and stay down for the most part. As the drug has settled in; I'm not manic; but I am more upbeat and responsive. Overall, It's working. I sometimes have yawning fits, but I don't feel sleepy. Costs were reduced to $10/mo through Insurance (UHC) + Teva's Savings Program."

• Disap...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 22, 2013

"This medicine does a great job! I thought "wow" I've finally found something to help me make it through the night without side effects. Almost. On my second prescription I developed scattered hives. My Dr. Said take an antihistamine and try again, since it hadn't done this before. I thought that might work until I got hives in more and more places each time I took it (I only take it when needed). When I developed the hives in very personal places that's when I decided I have no choice but to not take it. I don't know why it took so long to cause an allergic reaction. I wish it didn't because it really does work great. I'm hoping to find something else that does same thing that I'm not allergic to."

• Bus...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 14, 2014

"My sleep doctor, I use a CPAP every night, gave me a sample to try as I work a "baby owl' shift from 5:00pm to 2:00 am. Best way to describe this medicine is a slow release caffeine pill. However, zero jitters and zero over active bladder. No buzz, no altered feelings of any kind. I can focus better with this in my system. If I can get a full six hours on my CPAP and take a 250mg pill an hour before my shift I can get my job done with an amazing amount of focus. My insurance was slow to cover, and even with them covering over half of the cost these little pills cost a bundle. Worth it for me, as I was spending close to the same amount per month on Red Bull and coffee."

• krist...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2013

"I've been on nuvigil 150mg for over a week now, I work rotating shifts at work five days a week. I have had several side effects that was not the best, however the benefit have outweighed the risk. I have noticed that I can actually stay awake and not have the overwhelming urge to sleep. Which to me is wonderful to able to funtion like a normal person again, I'm still tired though, but functioning, and at the end of the day that is all I can ask for!"

• Firef...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2013

"I have been taking Nuvigil for a week and every day I get headaches and my eyes are sensitive to light. Overall I love feeling back to normal and not tired all the time. I have tried cutting my pills in 1/2 and 1/4s to stop the side effects no luck."

• Kidd
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 31, 2018

"I have taken nuvigil for having two jobs and it is a great help....no negative side effects...except for my wallet! I recently got a coupon, tried to use it and the price with my insurance ( not medicare, etc or public assist) was over $125.00 although coupon said first script free and refills as low as $5.00!!!! Not true!!!! Now have to go back to Dr. and get script for generic. Mom is right.....Nothing is free. This is poor business procedure."

• Jenni...
• March 11, 2010

"I started Nuvigil last week. I was only sleeping 3-4 hrs per day for the first few days, so on my day off, I didn't take it. However, this week, I sleep as normal. I get 4 hrs of sleep in the morning, and then take a 2-3 hr nap before work at night."

• Daniel
• April 24, 2015

"I am Software Engineer and working in It company. I am totally busy in my work day night to complete my projects. For every new project i need to spend extra time in my work, due to which i am not able to complete my sleep. It had bad impact on my work as it was difficult for me to stay active and fresh. Then i came to know about nuvigil from nuvigilshop site which helps me to become a normal person. It controls my excessive sleepiness and makes me energetic during work time. It helps to stay awake for around 40 hours. Now I am very happy that I can complete my every project with good concentration."

• acute...
• September 13, 2009

"I had previously taken Provigil 200mg daily and my prescription ran out for about 2 months. I was given a sample package of Nuvigil 150mg daily to try for 2 weeks. I noticed that I only slept about 7 hours in 72hrs (3days). The Provigil did not do this to me."

• cheri...
• December 23, 2014

"I tried Nuvigil and Provigil years ago for obstructive sleep apnea because the CPAP machine didn't work. The trails of both medicines increased my anxiety and depression, and made me have suicidal ideations. Guess it doesn't work for everybody."

• Rob
• September 27, 2016

"I had been taking Provigil for the past 4 yrs. Two years ago I was in a car accident and have been suffering back pain, which would not even subside with percoset. After reading some reviews I learned lower back pain is a side effect from Provigil. I was taking 400 milligrams daily into separate 200 milligram doses while working graveyard shift. Provigil has worked great however I just switched to Nuvigil today in hopes that my back pain will go away."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 28, 2024

"So I guess I'm kind of a veteran when it comes to this medicine. I have been taking it for 10 years due to working night shift at an extremely busy hospital. Words of advice: If this is your first time ever using Nuvigil, try half and if you tolerate it, take the whole pill. Second, yes, it does help you stay a little more alert, but you also need sleep. Don't try to pull a double with this stuff because it is possible to be completely bone exhausted while your mind is still racing, and that feels awful, trust me. Third, drink! Preferably water and lots of it, this will help prevent headaches. Fourth, NO ALCOHOL with this, nope don't do it. Also try as best you can to take it on a PRN basis for SWD. Otherwise, welcome to the Nuvigil Family!"

• 72C-1...
• December 10, 2011

"Unlike all the other comments I have read, I work at night and drive a Truck for a living. I go to work at Midnight and drive all night and into the next day. I heard about Nuvigil and went to my Doctor and he prescribed it to me. Of course the insurance company wanted an explanation to pay for it. I haven't had much success with it, I guess because I only take it when I have a long night ahead of me. It has worked well for me about 1 out of 5 times. I will be talking to my Doctor and see if I need to take it everyday. But, with my schedule, shift work that varys and reversing my schedule when I am not working at night on my days off, is really different than most of what I have read on here. Maybe I need to find me a day job!"

• depot...
• July 27, 2015

"I had been on Modifinil for over a year when I noticed the effects reducing dramatically so my doctor switched me to Armodifinil and almost immediately after taking I felt very hostile and aggressive. I did not feel more refreshed or awake. I tried it for almost a week and the feeling of anger was still there so I quit taking it and am working with my doctors to find another solution."

• sleep...
• August 27, 2010

"I have been using Nuvigil for one week now. It was working great in the beginning but after around the third day I got extremely tired around 12pm and all I wanted to do was take a nap. I continue to take it thinking that this will change. I only take 150mg, maybe I should ask the doctor to up the dose."

• TBI...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 23, 2023

"Started shift work again after 20 years and was dragging! Doc put me on the armodafinil and it’s been a blessing! I can stay fully awake and engaged and go through my days without a hint of exhaustion! This even helped during a recent opioid withdrawal episode after an accident and cut the sick time down a day or two."