Nuvigil and Insomnia: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• May 10, 2010

For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "Have been on Nuvigil 150 for about a week for MS-related fatigue. It gives me energy to stay awake, but after 7 or 8 in the evening, I am beat. Only problem is I don't sleep well, and my appetite is nonexistent."

• Anonymous
• December 11, 2009

For Narcolepsy "I have been taking Provigil 3 x 200 mg tabs in the morning. It works but not great. I would be sitting at my desk and do 'head bobs.' This is not acceptable to me. My doctor suggested I try Nuvigil. I started taking it last week. I took one 250 mg in the morning. It is a sleeping pill to me. This week has been the longest week for me. I am fighting to stay awake at work. I am interested to see if others have this same reaction to Nuvigil."

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

For Shift Work Sleep Disorder "I work night shift and have little kids, which don't understand I'm tired or care, so Nuvigil is a lifesaver. I used 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 the body to adjust."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 21, 2015

For Narcolepsy "My experience has been very positive: a complete elimination of sleep attacks, at least until the medication wears off (I take it at about 7 AM and usually around 2-3 PM I can tell it's worn off). When I first began the medication, I experienced fairly severe insomnia at night for a few days and suffered from headaches (generally dull, low-grade ones) for a couple of weeks. Those problems have long since ended, and I have no trouble falling asleep at night. My doctor suggested not taking the medication on weekends, when I do not have to work, which seems to have helped prevent it from losing any effectiveness. I am fortunate enough to have had no trouble getting my insurance to pay for Nuvigil. My cost is $27 for a 3-month supply by mail."

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

For Shift Work Sleep Disorder "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."

• dan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 29, 2012

For Drowsiness "I have been on Nuvigil for several years for alertness, or lack thereof, and attention issues. I have had little side effects and don't think I could function properly without it. Initially, there was a bit of insomnia for a few days, but that passed, and all is well since. Last week, I ran out and had to wait a week to get the script through the mail. Ugh! I could not get up in the morning after 8-9 hrs of sleep. I walked around all day in a fog and was afraid I would fall asleep at work. This continued throughout the week and did not seem to get any better. Finally, my medicines came in, took it this morning, and it was like the sun had come out and I could function again. Not all medicines work for everyone, but for those it helps, it is a lifesaver!"

• K_H...
• June 27, 2011

For Narcolepsy "As a working mom, I literally do not have time to nap during the day. It finally became enough of an annoyance that I saw a doctor for the first time in 7 years. Moral of the story, I was diagnosed with narcolepsy and prescribed Nuvigil (250 mg). I am not thrilled to be taking a (possibly addictive) medication the rest of my life, but I want to explore my other options (rather than consume 3 energy drinks/day). So far, I have only been on it a week and after the headaches and no sleep wore off, I now get only a short time where I feel like I am all there. To say I gave it a fair shot, I am going to stick it out for a month."

• sle...
• December 30, 2010

For Narcolepsy "My little sister was diagnosed about 2 years ago with narcolepsy, just recently, so was I. My doctor gave me a sample of Nuvigil for 4 weeks and a prescription for Adderall. I took Nuvigil, and I felt great! However, I took the medicine at about 5:30 am and could not turn my brain off or get to sleep until after 1:30 am. I then took half of the pill to maybe reduce the time it keeps me awake, but nothing happened at all. In reading some of the comments here, it sounds like maybe this medicine will wear off quicker in the future."

• cop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2014

For Narcolepsy "This medicine kept me from sleeping the whole 5 days I was on it. My body just started to shut down, and my eyes would just close, but my mind would not let me go to sleep."

• Anonymous
• November 5, 2009

For Narcolepsy "I have been taking this medicine for two days. I have had trouble falling asleep at night around 11:00 PM each night. I am hoping tonight will be a different scenario."

• 420...
• February 26, 2023

"Took this medicine for two days. Gave me the worst pressure headache of my life. Also gave me insomnia. I will never take this medicine again. I’d rather be sleepy all the time than take this."