Important Safety Information
What is NUVIGIL?
NUVIGIL is a prescription medicine used to improve wakefulness in adults who experience excessive sleepiness (ES) due to one of the following diagnosed sleep disorders: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), shift work sleep disorder, or narcolepsy.
In patients with OSA, NUVIGIL is used along with other medical treatments for this sleep disorder. NUVIGIL is not a replacement for your current treatment. Consult your doctor about the importance of continuing your current OSA treatment while taking NUVIGIL.
NUVIGIL is a federally controlled substance (C-IV) because it has the potential to be abused or lead to dependence. Please use NUVIGIL only as directed and keep in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse.
What important information should I know about NUVIGIL?
- NUVIGIL may cause you to have a serious rash or a serious allergic reaction that may result in hospitalization or be life-threatening.
- If you develop a rash, hives, sores, swelling, or trouble swallowing or breathing, stop taking NUVIGIL and call your doctor right away or get emergency treatment.
Who should not take NUVIGIL?
- NUVIGIL has not been studied in children under the age of 17. NUVIGIL is not approved for children for any condition.
- Anyone who has had a rash or allergic reaction to NUVIGIL or PROVIGIL® (modafinil) Tablets [C-IV], or is allergic to any of the following ingredients: modafinil, armodafinil, croscarmellose sodium, lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, or pregelatinized starch.
- Anyone with mitral valve prolapse who has experienced mitral valve prolapse syndrome.
What are possible side effects of NUVIGIL?
- Common side effects of NUVIGIL are headache, nausea, dizziness, and trouble sleeping.
- If you experience chest pain, depression, anxiety, hallucinations, psychosis, mania, thoughts of suicide, aggression, or other mental problems, stop taking NUVIGIL and call your doctor right away or get emergency treatment.
- For more information about other side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What should I avoid while taking NUVIGIL?
- Do not drive a car or do other dangerous activities until you and your doctor know how NUVIGIL affects you.
- Avoid drinking alcohol.
What should I tell my doctor before starting NUVIGIL?
- Tell your doctor about all of your health conditions including if you have: history of mental health problems (including psychosis), heart problems or had a heart attack, high blood pressure, liver or kidney problems, a history of drug or alcohol abuse or addiction, or are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
- Women who use hormonal birth control may have a higher chance of getting pregnant, while taking NUVIGIL, and for one month after stopping. Talk to your doctor about other birth control methods while taking NUVIGIL.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, call 1-800-FDA-1088, or by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178.
For more information, ask your doctor or call 1-800-896-5855.
This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your condition or treatment.
Please see the Medication Guide in the full prescribing information for NUVIGIL.
References
- US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Workers on flexible and shift schedules. Bureau of Labor Statistics Web site.
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/flex.pdf. Accessed May 11, 2009. - Drake CL, Roehrs T, Richardson G, Walsh JK, Roth T. Shift work sleep disorder: prevalence and consequences beyond that of symptomatic day workers. Sleep. 2004;27(8):1453-1462.
- Schwartz JRL, Roth T. Shift work sleep disorder: burden of illness and approaches to management. Drugs. 2006;66(18):2357-2370.
- Waage S, Moen BE, Pallesen S, et al. Shift work disorder among oil rig workers in the North Sea. Sleep. 2009;32(4):558-565.
- American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. 4th ed, text revision. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2000.
- American Academy of Sleep Medicine. The International Classification of Sleep Disorders: Diagnostic and Coding Manual. 2nd ed. Westchester, IL: American Academy of Sleep Medicine; 2005.
- NUVIGIL [prescribing information]. Frazer, PA: Cephalon, Inc; 2010.
- Data on file. Cephalon, Inc.
- Littner MR, Kushida C, Wise M, et al. Practice parameters for clinical use of the Multiple Sleep Latency Test and the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test. Sleep. 2005;28(1):113-121.
- Czeisler CA, Walsh JK, Wesnes KA, Arora S, Roth T. Armodafinil for treatment of excessive sleepiness associated with shift work disorder: a randomized controlled study. Mayo Clin Proc. 2009;84(11):958-972.
- IMS HEALTH National Prescription Audit PlusTM (June 2009-February 2010).
NUV-2623 © December 2010 Cephalon, Inc.
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