Nuvigil User Reviews & Ratings (Page 3)

• Sle...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2013

For Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "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."

• bip...
• January 17, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I'm a Bipolar II with Panic Disorder. There is a possibility that I'm mildly narcoleptic also. The following cocktail has me functioning at 100% for many years: 10 mg of Abilify once a week - increased concentration and did away with panic disorder, 1 mg of Xanax every night along with a botanical extract called lemon balm - for sleep, 250 mg of Nuvigil - makes me alert and awake and full of energy. I believe that the Nuvigil works for me as an antidepressant. If you are full of energy, how can you be depressed? I believe the Abilify keeps the anxiety and panic disorder and mania in check."

• not...
• January 7, 2012

For Depression "Be careful of medically induced hypomania. I took this for years. Helped with depression, and I decided to put up with increased anxiety and racing thoughts. Without my realizing it, I became extremely manic and caused irrational and destructive behavior. Thank God I switched doctors and medicines (to Lamictal). I wish I had known this can induce manic behavior! Please be careful because mania lies to you and makes you think all is well."

• wil...
• February 12, 2013

For Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "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."

• Anonymous
• November 7, 2011

For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "In my opinion, there are a lot of pros and cons for this medication. I took it for a while with no ill effect, but something must have changed, and it made me feel extremely ill (dizziness, heart palpitations, nausea, headache). I stopped taking it because of this and definitely noticed a difference. I think that taking a half a pill every few hours has eliminated my problems with the medication and works to keep me awake and focused for longer."

• Art...
• August 15, 2019

For Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "It has made my world a different place, I've been on Nuvigil for 3 years. My ability to think and perform my job has been restored and enhanced to a higher state of mind. I have read it is used by military pilots for long missions without the aggressive side effects of amphetamine-based medication."

• haw...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 21, 2012

For Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "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."

• ilo...
• February 15, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on Nuvigil for about a year. It is a miracle. My insurer won't pay for the dosage I need, so I get off of it on the weekends sometimes. I can feel a huge difference off of it and hope that the final stages of the trials produce positive results so I can get the dosage I need. I would not be alive without this medication, I am more productive, social, and have no suicidal thoughts while on it."

• 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."

• jth...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 14, 2014

For Shift Work Sleep Disorder "I've taken Provigil in the past for over 8 years due to severe IBDH and shift sleep disorder. When Nuvigil came out on the market, my neurologist gave me samples to try. I found it amazing and a 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 a very clean transition from its predecessor, Provigil!"

• Ano...
• October 10, 2011

For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "I have a very rare autoimmune neuromuscular disorder that causes many symptoms, including weakness. I find that taking Nuvigil 150 mg daily helps me with having a little bit more energy and also improves my mood. My cravings for carbs have decreased, which is good as I now eat foods that are better for me. Luckily, my insurance has paid for it."

• Tir...
• July 3, 2013

For Shift Work Sleep Disorder "Shift work at the 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 world's problems. But you may function somewhat normally as a person again. Do feel some euphoria an hour after taking."

• 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."

• Nuv...
• January 17, 2010

For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "I have been on Nuvigil for about a year, and although my body is used to it, it still works and is crucial for my quality of life. I have had numerous surgeries on my spine, plus a lot of my tendons have torn (both rotator cuffs), plus both my Achilles have tiny ruptures, leaving knots on the back of my heels. My body is falling apart, but at least the Nuvigil keeps me at a pace I can handle. Two weeks ago, my insurance failed to pay, and my doctor gave me a sample of 150 mg (I had been on 250 mg before). Now I am out of it all, and I have crashed. My nurse called and said that it had been approved for 6 more months, so I actually get to pick it up tomorrow. Maybe I will be able to get out of bed now and get things done."

• Amb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2013

For Narcolepsy "I have been on Nuvigil for about 3 months now and see a little bit of difference. Previously, I was on Ritalin, which worked pretty much the same as Nuvigil. My doctor is currently giving me a trial period for 150 mg once daily. I take one daily at 6-8 a.m., and it lasts me till around noon. I then start to crash, and when driving, I still have a hard time staying awake. My doctor says it is because I need a higher dosage and will hopefully be starting that at the next doctor's visit. I highly recommend Nuvigil if you can afford it, but if not, Ritalin, in my opinion, works just as well."

• 23 ...
• July 16, 2009

For Narcolepsy "I was diagnosed with narcolepsy about 2 weeks ago, and I have been taking Nuvigil for about a week. I have to admit it works. The urges to fall asleep are there, but I have a choice now. I still sleep at night. About 7-8 hours, but I still wake up frequently. The only thing is, I get headaches, and my mouth is really, really dry. I'm not thirsty, I am hydrated. I drink plenty of water, but I can't shake these two symptoms. So either I enjoy being awake and deal with the side effects, or I quit the medicine and continue being tired. The first two days on it were great. But after a week, I feel sleep deprived, but I am still awake. I am waiting on a medicine to help me sleep better at night, so I will continue to give Nuvigil a shot."

• Kam...
• June 8, 2013

For Narcolepsy "I diagnosed myself after reading a pamphlet in the doctor's office the other day. It was like reading the story of my life for the last couple of years. She put me on Nuvigil, and I'm currently on my second day of it. I've noticed a lot more awakeness and anxiety. Slight heart issues, I think, like racing from time to time, and one severely sharp pain yesterday, but otherwise, I really feel much better. Too bad it's too late to save my marriage, but at least I will be able to build a new life where before there would have been no way to cope. Wish me luck, guys. I've had no headaches or jaw issues either."

• KG4...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2016

For Narcolepsy "Diagnosed with narcolepsy and had frequent daily cataplexy. Nothing else worked, prior to getting diagnosed, hours and hours of sleep mixed with coffee, energy drinks, and abuse of workout stimulants. After adjusting to the jitters and slight nausea, I've never felt better. Every now and then, I will need a small nap, but I am sleeping deeper and sleepwalking much less. I went from several cataplexies a day to only three in the last month. Those three only happened because I hadn't gotten enough sleep that night. This drug works the best for me when I get more than 6 hours of sleep, ideally 7 or 8 hours though. I am very happy overall, but it is ridiculously expensive if you aren't on an insurance plan, like me (just switched jobs)."

• mje...
• September 25, 2014

For Narcolepsy "I have been dealing with narcolepsy since 1992. Nuvigil was introduced to me in 2014, wonder pill all the way. Unfortunately, with my insurance, my out-of-pocket expense will run approximately $550 for a 30-day supply. So tell me, do I feed my family of 5 or buy medicine? What a choice to have to make."

• Anonymous
• April 2, 2012

For Narcolepsy "I'm a 21-year-old college student. I was diagnosed with narcolepsy without cataplexy recently, even though it's been there basically my whole life. I'm currently on 250 mg Nuvigil in the morning, and he's going to add another medication soon to help my brain sleep at night since I have such anxiety levels and it affects my sleep. It has helped me stay awake in class, but I still can't focus. I really don't feel much difference. I still take naps a few times a day, and I feel like the medication wears off by around 2:00 PM, and then I'm falling asleep again. The side effects I'm feeling are daily migraines, extreme cotton mouth, and sometimes an upset stomach."

• Ste...
• March 28, 2013

For Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "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."

• Anonymous
• March 28, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar disorder, and I've tried many medications before we found what worked without nasty side effects. I was put on risperidone and Celexa to treat it, which I still take. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and narcolepsy, which my doctor put me on Nuvigil. I did not know Nuvigil could be a treatment for treating bipolar until I read about it on this site. I feel very upbeat with the Nuvigil and not tired all the time, and I feel happy again. Even though I take other medicines for bipolar, I feel since I started the Nuvigil, I feel even better."

• Anonymous
• December 23, 2011

For Bipolar Disorder "Nuvigil is a great medication. I have bipolar disorder mixed state. I was often drowsy before taking Nuvigil. The first few days of taking 250 mg of Nuvigil, I felt better than ever. I was working out at the gym for an hour. Before taking the medication, I couldn't even run. Depression sucked the life out of me. One of the bad side effects of Nuvigil is it induces mania/hypomania. I became hypomanic until my mood would drop down to depression, and I had to take a mood stabilizer in order to normalize my mood."

• poo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 27, 2024

"Can make you jittery, especially after the first dose. It has a long half-life, so remembering to take it at least 14 hours before bed, if I hope to sleep, is a must. If you do end up missing a good night of sleep, your morning dose will make you forget you didn't sleep. However, you won't have that extra pep this medicine provides after a full night's sleep. One thing I found most helpful with preventing anxiety/jitters is taking 10-20 grams of the powder form of the amino acid L-Tyrosine. (Helpful hint: no capsule supplement on the market has enough L-Tyrosine, so buy powder, it's cheap! 10-20 grams is the dose that was successful in U.S. military studies.) I'm not trying to sell anything, I just wish someone had told me about this supplement and medicine stack earlier in life because it eliminated any anxiety and increased the effectiveness of my medicine. (Only my experience, though studies correlate to my experience.)"