Description

Armodafinil, also known as Artvigil, is a prescription medication used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness produced by wakefulness disorders such as narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea. Being a eugeroic, it falls into the class of stimulants for wakefulness and, by comparison, may be stronger than Modafinil. Thus, this review pays attention to all current research findings on Armodafinil, its clinical applications and advantages and disadvantages, and might have to be employed only under strict medical observation.

How Does Armodafinil Work?
The working of Armodafinil in the body is pretty well known within the scientific community. It increases the activities of neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine, and histamine. These neurotransmitters are thought to be responsible for keeping a person awake. With an increase in the activity of these chemical messengers in the brain, Armodafinil successfully treats excessive daytime sleepiness associated with sleep disorders, making people feel alert and focused for substantial periods.

Uses of Armodafinil
Armodafinil is used in the treatment of narcolepsy:
Armodafinil is commonly prescribed to patients suffering from narcolepsy, a disorder associated with excessive daytime somnolence, cataplexy, and sleep paralysis. The drug promotes wakefulness during the day, which means it enables patients to be better at work and in various activities at school or university.

Shift Work Sleep Disorder:
This drug is also beneficial to those suffering from SWSD, who usually fail to stay awake during the day after working at night. Armodafinil improves productivity by making patients wakeful during shifts.

Sleep Apnea:
To sleep apnea patients, or patients suffering from a condition of repeated interruptions of breathing during sleep, Armodafinil helps keep them wakeful during the day and let them handle their daily affairs with minimal sleeping.

Benefits of Armodafinil
The quality of life of patients with sleep disorders had an improvement in excessive sleepiness when they were treated with Armodafinil. The alertness that this drug produces can enable the user to be productive in daily activities without feeling extreme fatigue. Another good feature of this medication is the low risk of addiction and dependency, making it convenient for long-term use. The oral dosage form having once a day, but with an effect duration for as long as 15 hours is most appealing.

Common Adverse Reactions with Armodafinil
Possible side effects of administering Armodafinil include mild reactions such as head aches, nausea, anxiety, and insomnia. Other serious but less frequent side effects include skin rash, mood changes, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Patients need to be cautious since the drug could trigger a pre-existing condition of heart disease, dysfunction of the liver, kidneys, or any mental issue. There is a need for follow-up on the safety and efficacy of this medication.
Why Consult a Doctor?
Armodafinil is a schedule IV controlled substance and can only be prescribed by a physician. Caution must be taken in administering this particular drug as there exists the potential for dangerous side effects with other medications. These drugs include:

Cobimetinib
Isocarboxazid
Selegiline transdermal
Tranylcypromine
Linezolid
Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir
Phenelzine

A healthcare provider may monitor the progression, make dosing adjustments if necessary, and observe if Armodafinil is the best treatment for the underlying causes of sleepiness. They can also suggest lifestyle changes to enhance sleep even better.

Takeaways
That is, in a nutshell, Armodafinil is a wakefulness promoting medication that can be effective for people with excessive daytime sleepiness. To be taken only with a doctor’s prescription and knowledge about the side effects, this medication can do wonders. Patients suffering from sleep disorders must consult their health care professional and make all necessary lifestyle changes required to improve their condition.