Armodafinil comes with a lot of side effects that range from mild to severe. Long-term Use of Armodafinil might lead to dependency, which results in Abuse.
Armodafinil is a big part of treatment for various sleep disorders, but there is a downside to this nootropic, which is its side effects. Although most of the time, the side effects are mild and go away over a period of time.
In this blog, we will discuss the various side effects of the smart drug and its impact on long-term use.
Armodafinil: An Overview
- Armodafinil is a prescription medicine that was first synthesized in 1961 in France.
- Armodafinil helps treat Excessive Daytime Sleepiness from Narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and other shift work disorders.
- Armodafinil does not completely cure sleep disorders but helps people stay awake and alert as it promotes wakefulness. It comes under the brand names Waklert, Nuvigil, and Artvigil.
- The drug was approved by the FDA in the year 1998. It is classified under Schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act.
What Are The Potential Side Effects Of Armodafinil?
Armodafinil can cause a range of side effects, which might range from mild to long-term. Some of the side effects might not require the utmost medical Attention. However, being vigilant about the side effects might help you minimise the health risk factors.
However, as the saying goes, “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”
Nine of the common Armodafinil 150 mg side effects that require the utmost medical care are:
1. Fever
2. Breathing Problems
3. Skin rashes
4. Shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet.
5. Blistering or cracking of the skin.
6. Pain in the chest.
7. Severe headache
8. Irregular heartbeat
9. Frequent Urination that is pale in colour.
Nine of the side effects that are mild and do not require the utmost medical care are:
1. Runny Nose
2. Sweating
3. Loss of appetite
4. Sore throat
5. Cough
6. Indigestion
7. Muscle aches and pain
8. Weight loss
9. Vomiting [1].
Importance Of Understanding The Side Effects
It is always better to be aware of both the positive and negative impacts because focusing solely on the benefits might be deceptive as well as dangerous.
It is important to take time and learn from your health experts about the possible Side Effects of a drug, as it can reduce the chance of experiencing a Side Effect [2].
Armodafinil Side Effects: Long-Term
Consuming Armodafinil in the long term might increase the chance of Withdrawal symptoms. Your body and mind get accustomed to the Use of Armodafinil and cannot properly function once you suddenly cut it off. Long-term side effects of Nuvigil can cause abuse. Six important withdrawal symptoms include:
1. Anxiety.
2. Worsened Psychotic Symptoms
3. Fatigue
4. Vomiting
5. Irritable mood
6. Insomnia [3].
Rare Armodafinil Effects And Its Impact
Some of the rare Armodafinil Effects and their impact on users are as follows:
Hallucination: It is the perception of having seen, touched, felt, or smelled something that wasn’t actually there. One of the major causes of hallucinations is drug intoxication.
Depression: Depression is a common mood where an elevation of people’s mood takes place. There are numerous potential causes for this condition. Drug Abuse can lead to Depression.
Thoughts of harming or killing someone: Suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming yourself are one of the rare side effects of Armodafinil.
Hives: are a skin reaction that is also known as Utricaria. It causes itchy welts that differ in size and range from small to large blotches. Many foods and medications might influence hives, and Armodafinil is one of them.
Frenzied, abnormally excited mood: When you become wildly excited or enthusiastic, the condition is termed frenzied. Armodafinil can contribute to this circumstance.
Blistering or peeling of the skin: If you are allergic and you ingest this medicine, it might cause you certain skin allergies, as the drug might contain certain substances that might cause severe skin infections.
Weakness: Armodafinil might sometimes cause weakness.
Allergic reactions like Anaphylaxis, Angioedema, and certain skin conditions like Steven Johnson Syndrome: Armodafinil might cause serious skin allergies like anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergic reactions), Angioedema (swelling under the skin rather than on the surface), and Steven Johnson Syndrome (a serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes).
You should consult your doctor immediately if you are suffering from any of these skin diseases.
Armodafinil Effects On Teeth And Vision
When people grind and clench their teeth from time to time, it is called tooth Grinding. The medical term for this condition is called Bruxism. When teeth grinding occurs on a regular basis, it might lead to many oral health complications [4].
One of the major side effects of Armodafinil is tooth grinding. It makes it difficult for people to sleep at night.
Blurry Vision means not having a proper and crisp view. Blurry Vision might also be one of the Side Effects of Armodafinil.
Armodafinil Side On Mood And Behaviour
Armodafinil might cause people suffer from sudden mood changes and behaviours.
The drug may cause some people to feel agitated, irritable, or exhibit other abnormal behaviours. It may cause people to have suicidal thoughts and tendencies. It might make people more depressed [1].
Uses: Armodafinil And Sleep Disorder
Armodafinil is an R-enantiomer of the racemic compound Modafinil, which means they have the same chemical structure but slightly different arrangements.
The drug is used to treat certain Sleep Disorders like Narcolepsy, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and other Shift Work Disorders.
Narcolepsy
When you suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness, the condition is called narcolepsy.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
This disorder is generally found in all age groups, but the frequency of the disorder increases with age and obesity. It is characterized by episodes of complete or partial collapse of the airway, which leads to a decrease in oxygen level.
Shift Work Disorders
This is a disorder seen among people who are on shift duty. Armodafinil helps people with Shift Work disorders. It helps them stay focused during their working hours.
One can also buy Armodafinil online for improved cognitive performance. It helps in the secretion of neurotransmitters that helps in improving the memory, creativity, and concentration of the person. Even though it is an off-label benefit of the medication, its use of considered safe due to its low risk of side effects and abuse.
Preventive Measures While Administering Armodafinil 150mg
Some Armodafinil warnings and preventive measures to avoid the possible Side-effects are:
- Visit your doctor from time to time for checkups and to avoid unwanted effects.
- Armodafinil should not be used for any occasional sleepiness other than that properly diagnosed as narcolepsy, sleep Apnea, or shift work disorder.
- Consult with your doctor if you are allergic. The medication might contain certain substances that can lead to severe allergies.
- Do not drive or operate machines or do certain activities that require sudden and quick reactions until you know how the medicine reacts.
- You should completely avoid the use of contraceptives and should not take the medication during pregnancy.
- Avoid the medication while you are at the stage of breastfeeding, this might harm your baby [1].
- Always take the medication with proper consultations.
Our Final Thoughts: Armodafinil Side Effects
Armodafinil comes with benefits as well as side effects. The numerous benefits of this Nootropic outweigh its side effects.
Following proper administration and dosing guidelines can help lower the risk of side effects.
Nootropic enthusiasts wondering about Armodafinil vs Adderall comparisons can check out a detailed overview of the two Nootropics here.