Anyone taken Nuvigil?

My doctor prescribed Nuvigil. I took my first dose (a half tablet) this morning. WOW. I seriously feel like I am on drugs. I keep waiting for the trip to kick in. Does this effect, this big rush, wear off after a few days taking it? I am also wondering, since this seems to be such a powerful, FUN drug, what is it like going off it? I am quite apprehensive, I don't think I've ever taken a (legal) drug as powerful as this. I'm not sure if I want to continue on it. It certainly is doing what it's supposed to do, which is give me more energy and drag me out of depression. But at what price?

Any input appreciated.

What did your doctor say when you communicated these issues?

I'm very familiar with armodafinil (Nuvigil) as someone who prescribes a fair amount of it, and I've taken modafinil (Provigil), which is very closely-related to it.. Even so, you shouldn't be rely upon input from me (or anyone else) over the internet about it.

A half-tablet doesn't tell us your dose since the medication comes in 2 different sizes.

One thing to be aware of is that Nuvigil saves insurance companies some money over Provigil since it's more likely that patients will only use one tablet per day. Both are very expensive. Some prescribers have moved to prescribing Nuvigil first since they get less hassle from insurers. Provigil may be more "moderate" in its effects and is less "strong" in the way it feels for some patients.

Yes, half a tablet isn't very specific. I took half a 150 mg tablet, so 75 mg.

My doctor is not in the office Thursday afternoons and Fridays all day. So whatever I want to say to/ask my doctor will have to wait until Monday. (Note to self, never start a new drug on a Thursday.) I am taking samples, as my doc wants to see if this is the right drug for me before going through the hassle of arguing with the insurance company. I dunno, I am torn between just seeing what happens over the weekend, or waiting to talk to the doc on Monday.

My main concerns are, is this medication is habit forming, and how does it feel to stop taking it? I took a pain medication (darn it, I hate to be so unspecific again, but I can't remember the name of it) for about six weeks, and it was rather painful to come off of it. Not sure if I want to go through that again. I am looking for personal experiences with this drug, not medical advice. Just want to hear from others who have taken it.

150mg is the smallest size, so 75mg is smallest dose.

I've never seen withdrawal effects from this family of drugs even after prolonged use.

Nuvigil is a controlled substance and is officially considered possibly habit-forming. Addicts rate it very low in terms of preference, though.

I, too, have been on Provigil but can't remember the dosage....

Didn't help me at all-still felt like taking a nap around 1:00 PM everyday! I told my doctor that if this was what 3rd shift workers used to keep them awake-I felt sorry for them!!!

However, for some reason, and I have no idea why--I seem to have a high tolerance for any drugs! I am currently taking Adderall (10mg twice a day) and honestly might as well be taking a sugar pill...Does give me a bit and I mean a bit of energy about 30 minutes after taking but doesn't last very long at all.

My daughter "flipped" out when she found out my doctor had prescribed me Adderall. Her statement: "Mom, I've taken that before and it's like cocaine"!!! I told her that it certainly didn't affect me like that-if so-my house would be spotless! Ashamed to admit it but if the EPA came to my house there would be a sign on the door "CONDEMMED BY THE EPA-DO NOT ENTER"!!!

All I can say is that Provigil and Adderall have had little affect on me and the way I feel daily...Anyone else out there have the same problem???

snuginarug wrote:My doctor prescribed Nuvigil. I took my first dose (a half tablet) this morning. WOW. I seriously feel like I am on drugs. I keep waiting for the trip to kick in. Does this effect, this big rush, wear off after a few days taking it? I am also wondering, since this seems to be such a powerful, FUN drug, what is it like going off it? I am quite apprehensive, I don't think I've ever taken a (legal) drug as powerful as this. I'm not sure if I want to continue on it. It certainly is doing what it's supposed to do, which is give me more energy and drag me out of depression. But at what price?

Any input appreciated.

I'm not sure what you mean about feeling "on drugs", a "big rush", "FUN" drug... Are you saying you feel euphoric effects from it? Or mood elevating?

I have lots of experience with Provigil, and some limited experience with Nuvigil. I didn't care for the side effects I got from Nuvigil, so I switched back to Provigil. I think I recall the first few times I took Provigil after YEARS of being off it that I noticed a bit of mood elevation upon ingesting it. That went away very quickly, as I don't remember thinking that after the first few pills. Anything that makes me less sleepy makes me feel more "normal" (i.e., less tired), and not high (course I am not shooting it in my arm or anything). I go off Provigil all the time, and I don't have issues with that.

That said, I have no idea how you'll respond to it and what you'll find difficult when you stop taking it.

mstevens wrote:I've never seen withdrawal effects from this family of drugs even after prolonged use.

Nuvigil is a controlled substance and is officially considered possibly habit-forming. Addicts rate it very low in terms of preference, though.

This is really good information, thank you! I was thinking about the physical effects of stopping the drug, and this is very helpful to know.

mmkof5 wrote:All I can say is that Provigil and Adderall have had little affect on me and the way I feel daily..

I'm sorry you've had so little success so far. I hope you find something that works for you soon.

SleepingUgly wrote:I'm not sure what you mean about feeling "on drugs", a "big rush", "FUN" drug... Are you saying you feel euphoric effects from it? Or mood elevating?

I don't know the difference between euphoria and mood elevation. I thought they were two ways to describe the same thing. Or that euphoria was a type of mood elevation. Evidently I am wrong. But perhaps saying the feeling was intense helps explain? Not an ordinary feeling. The type of feeling I associate with recreational street drugs.

SleepingUgly wrote:I have lots of experience with Provigil, and some limited experience with Nuvigil. I didn't care for the side effects I got from Nuvigil, so I switched back to Provigil. I think I recall the first few times I took Provigil after YEARS of being off it that I noticed a bit of mood elevation upon ingesting it. That went away very quickly, as I don't remember thinking that after the first few pills. Anything that makes me less sleepy makes me feel more "normal" (i.e., less tired), and not high (course I am not shooting it in my arm or anything). I go off Provigil all the time, and I don't have issues with that.

That's a big help. Thank you for sharing your experiences, it helps me get a frame of reference.

snuginarug wrote:I don't know the difference between euphoria and mood elevation. I thought they were two ways to describe the same thing. Or that euphoria was a type of mood elevation. Evidently I am wrong.

You're not wrong. Euphoria would be more extreme than mood elevation. I just wasn't sure what you were describing (and still am not completely sure). Did it happen again when you took another 75mg?

I was definitely feeling intense, extreme euphoria yesterday. Today I am feeling mild euphoria. I am hoping this downward trend continues because I like how Nuvigil helps with energy, but I can't really be getting high everyday. That's not a normal way to operate. Although, I have had mood disorders (yes, that's right, two) all my life, so it is hard for me to tell what is within the range of normal. Maybe what I consider "high" is normal? It's all very confusing. I will be able to talk to my doctor on Monday if I still have the euphoria effect at that point.

Now, with all this energy, I am off to plan my day.

mmkof5 wrote:I, too, have been on Provigil but can't remember the dosage....

Didn't help me at all-still felt like taking a nap around 1:00 PM everyday! I told my doctor that if this was what 3rd shift workers used to keep them awake-I felt sorry for them!!!

However, for some reason, and I have no idea why--I seem to have a high tolerance for any drugs! I am currently taking Adderall (10mg twice a day) and honestly might as well be taking a sugar pill...Does give me a bit and I mean a bit of energy about 30 minutes after taking but doesn't last very long at all.

My daughter "flipped" out when she found out my doctor had prescribed me Adderall. Her statement: "Mom, I've taken that before and it's like cocaine"!!! I told her that it certainly didn't affect me like that-if so-my house would be spotless! Ashamed to admit it but if the EPA came to my house there would be a sign on the door "CONDEMMED BY THE EPA-DO NOT ENTER"!!!

All I can say is that Provigil and Adderall have had little affect on me and the way I feel daily...Anyone else out there have the same problem???

Did you ask your daughter how she knows what cocaine is like?

snuginarug wrote:I was definitely feeling intense, extreme euphoria yesterday. Today I am feeling mild euphoria. I am hoping this downward trend continues because I like how Nuvigil helps with energy, but I can't really be getting high everyday. That's not a normal way to operate. Although, I have had mood disorders (yes, that's right, two) all my life, so it is hard for me to tell what is within the range of normal. Maybe what I consider "high" is normal? It's all very confusing. I will be able to talk to my doctor on Monday if I still have the euphoria effect at that point.

Ahh, sorry, I forgot about your Bipolar Disorder. I definitely wouldn't want to give you advice then, as I don't know how wake-promoting agents would interact with your disorder. 150mg of Nuvigil didn't even touch my EDS, and neither Nuvigil nor Provigil (the latter even at very high doses) caused me anything remotely like "euphoria", so clearly we're having different experiences. I think at most it might elevate your mood a bit, but I do not think it should cause euphoria. I'm glad that's decreasing.

I have not found Nuvigil to be habit forming. I have found it's effects wane over time. I have taken it for about two years and not every day and never felt any withdrawal. I would try it a second day and see if the effects still are so strong. Just don't wait too late in the day or it may keep you up.
Good Luck.

Oh, yes, I have Bipolar disorder and this med was first prescribed by my psychiatrist and the one least likely to interfere with my psych meds. Glad your second experience was better.

Snug: I think you ought to get out of the car.... hands on the car.... spread em'..... do have anything that will poke, stick or cut me?..... hm?????

Sheriff

sleepingatlast wrote:

mmkof5 wrote:I, too, have been on Provigil but can't remember the dosage....

Didn't help me at all-still felt like taking a nap around 1:00 PM everyday! I told my doctor that if this was what 3rd shift workers used to keep them awake-I felt sorry for them!!!

However, for some reason, and I have no idea why--I seem to have a high tolerance for any drugs! I am currently taking Adderall (10mg twice a day) and honestly might as well be taking a sugar pill...Does give me a bit and I mean a bit of energy about 30 minutes after taking but doesn't last very long at all.

My daughter "flipped" out when she found out my doctor had prescribed me Adderall. Her statement: "Mom, I've taken that before and it's like cocaine"!!! I told her that it certainly didn't affect me like that-if so-my house would be spotless! Ashamed to admit it but if the EPA came to my house there would be a sign on the door "CONDEMMED BY THE EPA-DO NOT ENTER"!!!

All I can say is that Provigil and Adderall have had little affect on me and the way I feel daily...Anyone else out there have the same problem???

Did you ask your daughter how she knows what cocaine is like?

Yes, I did. She admitted that in her early 20's she had tried cocaine.

If Adderall is like cocaine then why would people spend so much money on cocaine when Adderall is a heck of a lot cheaper!!!