Mylan NV on June 1 announced the US launch of Armodafinil tablets, 50 mg, 150 mg, 250 mg, a generic version of Cephalon’s Nuvigil. Mylan received final approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) and was awarded 180 days of marketing exclusivity for these strengths. Armodafinil tablets are used to improve wakefulness in adults with excessive sleepiness associated with obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or shift-work disorder.
Mylan CEO Heather Bresch says in a release, “Mylan’s launch of the first generic version of Nuvigil Tablets, 50 mg, 150 mg, 250 mg, reinforces our continued commitment to expanding access to high-quality, affordable medicine. This product adds to our growing portfolio of more than 600 products in North America across a vast range of therapeutic categories and demonstrates our continued leadership in bringing new generic medications to the market.”
Armodafinil Tablets, 50 mg, 150 mg, 250 mg, had US sales of approximately $489.7 million for the 12 months ending March 31, 2016, according to IMS Health.
Currently, Mylan has 254 ANDAs pending FDA approval representing $108.3 billion in annual brand sales, according to IMS Health. Forty-three of these pending ANDAs are potential first-to-file opportunities, representing $37.2 billion in annual brand sales, for the 12 months ending December 31, 2015, according to IMS Health.
This is not the same as Nuvigil! My pharmacy filled this without me being aware of a change. Holiday weekend away, and have spent the day sleeping!
Works fine for me.
I am very sleepy, dizzy, and my blood pressure is up from it. I plain and simple just DON’T FEEL WELL AT ALL! I HATE THIS! I want my Nuvigil back! It’s my son’s birthday and I can’t even enjoy it with him!
I have the same side effects with the generic armodafinil
I’ve been trying to figure out why I’ve been so sleepy for the last month. Couldn’t put my finger on it but also noticed the pill had changed. Looked into it and low and behold its generic and no one told me. It DOES NOT work like Nuvigil at all. I want my old stuff back!
This is not working for me at all. It takes longer and dissipates faster. I’m having to suck down caffeine like a mad man just to get going and last through the day. This was never the case with Nuvigil in the past!
Didn’t work for me either. I’ve been on Nuvigil for 6 years- it’s been a life saver. I tried the generic for 2 days and felt sick and sleepy. Fortunately, my pharmacist replaced it with Nuvigil again (took a coupon from Nuvigil website for a free 30 day supply)- now just hoping my insurance will still cover the brand Nuvigil since a generic is available. I agree with the others- its nothing like the real thing.
I was on nuvigil for 9 years and this is the first month on generic. It’s awful, it doesn’t work, at all. I can’t believe how exhausted I am it feels sedating to me. Never again do I want the generic
I have been on Nuvigil for about 2 years now. I have severe sleep apnea and was having a hard time staying awake during the day at work. Nuvigil works great. I just picked up my new prescription and it was replaced with the generic. I am barely making it through the work day again, want to fall asleep over my dinner plate, and when I sit down to watch any t.v. I instantly fall asleep sitting up. Horrible med – How do they call it the same medication and get away with it.
I couldn’t agree more. I freaking hate the generic brand and it’s not the same by far. I feel like crap, unfocused, cant think things out right at times, no motivation, the opposite in a bad way. And don’t have $2638 to get them and I have a good insurance plan, I thought
Mylan was actually one of the contract manufacturers that Teva used for making both modafinil and armodafinil. Same manufacture same drug just different name look it up.
Patrick, Teva is a generic. The original manufacturer was Cephalon.
I’m sorry to hear about everyone’s negative reaction to the new drug. I’m sorry because I know how frustrating it is to have your day/week taken from you due to sleepiness and exhaustion. If you take Nuvigil, which most of you do, then you understand what I mean. I too have been having these exact same negative reactions to the new drug. I have been taking Nuvigil for about 3 years now and I started taking the Generic form 1 week ago today and let me tell you… I have not felt this sleepy in a long time. I wake up exhausted only wanting to go back to sleep and if I DO manage to actually get out of bed then I’m just sluggish all day and I can’t focus or think clearly about much of anything. I never post online about anything but I felt like I should put in my thoughts on this new drug and say that it needs to be tweaked a little bit because as of right now it’s not a good pick over Nuvigil.. at all.
I don’t understand why if someone is on Medicare or Medicaid that you get switched to generic drugs that do NOT work nothing like the real thing at all. I have uncontrolled narcolepsy and now know why it’s uncontrolled!!! Just when I think I maybe doing better on something it gets switched to the generic that might as well be placebo for that’s about how good it works!!!
Nuvigil has been a lifesaver for me since I began taking it a couple of years ago. The generic one was given as a replacement less than a week ago and the side effects have been awful! I’m having severe anxiety 24/7, can’t think, can’t focus and can’t sleep. It seems my issues are different than others but significant, nonetheless. I also have ADHD and don’t dare take my meds for that because I’m afraid of possible interactions. I will call my dr. tomorrow but wanted to share my experience.
I have been taking Nuvigil 150 mg for narcolepsy for over a year now. It works wonders and has saved my life. As a young (33 years old) mother of three boys I need to be awake and alert and nuvigil gave that back to me. I had no negative side effects and it helps my IBS-constipation so that I no longer need to rely on stool softener’s. In June I was given the generic form of Nuvigil call Armodafinil by the maker Mylan at my local CVS. The very first day of taking it I had unwanted side effects as well as no change in wakefulness, alertness at all, which is the whole reason for taking it in the first place. My side effects included; Stomach cramps and bloating, my teeth hurt and had a uncomfortable sensation like I had been grinding my teeth all day, at about 4 PM when it started to wear off I got a severe headache and had feelings of being extremely irritated/sad/angry/depressed mood. This lasted the entire 30 days of taking it. At my next refill I asked the pharmacist not to give me that generic form and to please give me Nuvigil. On the first day of being back on Nuvigil I felt so much better!!! I was awake, alert, not sleepy and dozing off and All of the nasty side effects I was experiencing were 100% gone! My husband even noticed and mentioned seeing a dramatic difference in me. I don’t quite understand how they can claim the generic form is equal to Nuvigil. I have a strong feeling that others will also come forward with the same experience I had. I pray that Nuvigil doesn’t ever go out of business or stop making this medicine as it has been life changing for not only me but my whole family. My kids have their Mom back and my husband has his wife back. Im going to switch pharmacies now because CVS continues to have problems with availability of Nuvigil now that the generic form has been released. I’d love to know if anyone else has experienced similarities……
I’ve been on 250mg generic armodafinil for about a year. Over the last couple of months I started chattering my teeth while awake, even in meetings. Quite annoying. Sounds like it’s time to consider a change.
I’ve had the same problem with it the 1st day taking it. But now I don’t know what to do on getting it for I don’t have that kind of $ to pay for it. I have insurance but for some reason they won’t pay for the name brand and if been on the name brand nuvigils for 7 years. Don’t know were or what to do from here, knowing I can get it but have to pay out of pocket $2638.00
Has anyone had an allergic reaction to the generic Nuvigil? Picked up the armodafinil from neighborhood pharmacy last Wednesday and developed a strange itchiness on my lower back. I have allergies, so just thought they were acting up. The reaction spread to my stomach and thighs. It wasn’t until last night that I questioned the generic causing this reaction. Called the pharmacist this morning and he told me to call my insurance to see if they’d approve an early refill so I can get the name brand. Hopefully, this itchiness will go away. I’m pretty sleepy too, but the itchiness is keeping me awake. Not exactly how I want to stay alert.
OMG! Yes! With me, my throat closes. This never happened on name brand. (Doesn’t seem as strong, either.)
Oh my gosh, Martha, that’s scary. I’m currently taking more Benadryl in two days than I have in the past ten years. It makes me so tired and the itchiness is still there, but not as bad. I got the name brand last night and took it this morning, so now I just have to wait for the generic to get out of my system. I also feel much more alert today than I have over the past few days. I made sure it’s noted on my account (insurance and pharmacy) that I cannot have the generic. Hope you all can get the name brand too. The generic is by no means the same.
I’m 44, well educated and a smart woman that has had chronic health problems for 20+ years. I have RA and take this medication for chronic fatigue, so I have taken different meds throughout my lifetime, but never experienced this. It’s like an allergic reaction-my throat closes too!
I am having similar issues with this generic, It is definitely not as strong as the brand name Nuvigil, and usually I prefer generics. I will not be getting the generic again, have had to double my doses to get through the day.
35 y/o Narcoleptic I just started these Friday the pharmacy gave me the generic and I have had the worst weekend I’ve had in years I have NO energy I can immediately tell the difference. Why can’t these people give us the normal product at a reduced rate? This is not cool a lot of us depend on this to exist in the real world. Thanks for causing me a huge headache now I will have to fight my insurance company to get them to pay for what I was already taking.
I just switched to this generic and after days of nausea, cramping, boating, high anxiety, and itchiness I realized I didn’t have food poisoning and wasn’t pregnant. It was the side effects of the new generic. It also did not even keep me as alert on the same dosage as Nuvigil. Now I’m trying to switch back to the name brand despite the price difference.
I have been taking Nuvigil for about 5 years and it always worked wonderful! About 2 months ago I got my first refill that was the generic and I have been feeling awful! I just am now putting two and two together. I knew it wasn’t nearly as effective, but it does something at least regarding wakefulness. However, I have been having weird side effects that I never had before. My stomach feels distended and bloated after I take the medication. My face gets a bit puffy and I have trouble breathing so most like a mini allergic reaction. Never had that before when I took the Nuvigil. I thought it was something I was eating but now I really think it is actually the generic pill, something in that mechanism seems to react oddly with my body. So yes I agree with other comments I have a lot of health problems and take medication and I wish they would just leave medications alone or dispense them as the doctors want. Just when I think I have all my medications in line and I’m doing good the drugstore changes the manufacturer, The insurance makes me take the generic or an alternative drug which spins everything out of control as I have to determine what is causing what side effects. It’s generic for a reason if it was exactly the same but it would be the same pill and there would be no reason to have a generic. I just wish I know what the difference was. It could be as simple as something that binds the product together or a dye in the product. All I know is that I have concluded that this generic product causes me to feel unwell, have a distended stomach and stomaches, including bloating and I I think it’s irritating my stomach and causing me to have heartburn is well. Ugh!
I am having the exact same problems. I didn’t think until just now when a friend pointed out I have been complaining about my stomach for three months… right when I went on the generic. I cut out gluten, tried probiotics, which both helped a little bit, but I am beginning to wonder if it is in fact the generic Nuvigil. I was on the brand name product for several years with zero issues.
I also have been experiencing bad heartburn, mild to moderate pain after eating nearly anything, bloating, feeling of distended stomach, and feeling stuffed when eating a small to normal portion of food (even low carb, unprocessed). I have shared many meals with other people who haven’t experienced any discomfort when I seem to get sick. It’s all been happening since going on the generic. Talking to my Doctor right away.
I switched from Nuvigil to generic Provigil (Modafinil) and have been very happy. Modafinil doesn’t seem to have a lasting effect though, which I actually prefer. Nuvigil kept me hyper all day, over 12 hours, which I don’t like.
I agree with most other posts on here. This generic for Nuvigill is not working for me. I go to bed exhausted and wake up more exhausted!!! I am struggling through the work day again trying to keep my eyes open. I stopped drinking Pepsi all day to stay awake about 6 weeks before I received this generic product with no issues of staying awake. Now I want to go back to drinking Pepsi which is not healthy but I can’t afford to pay full price for Nivigill either. UGH!!! This product product sucks, either fix it or give us Nuvigill back please!!!
Anne, have you tried 200mg Modafinil which is generic? Works great for me!
With my insurance it’s only $10.00 for 30 pills. Some days I use half a pill and on some days I’ll use 1.5 pills but usually one 200mg dose is perfect.
I had the same experience as Joe; the new generic is actually a little too strong but otherwise no issues. I’m going to reduce my Rx because this switch is keeping me awake at night.
I have never had an issue with a generic drug until this. I had horrible nausea and felt like it triggered my asthma. On top of that, it did not work nearly as well, if at all?? I called Mylan and reported it (and submitted an FDA adverse-reaction report, too). The Mylan rep was super helpful and suggested it could be an allergic reaction to one of the non-active ingredients (which do differ from the name, although that doesn’t account for it not being effective). I called my insurance and they said to call the pharmacy to ask for a refill of name brand only. (I didn’t even have to call my Dr. to make the switch.) I was relieved that, by using the Nuvigil savings card on their web site, my refill was only $10 more than the generic. And I have crappy insurance. I would suggest everyone do the same: 1.) Report to Mylan 2.) Report to FDA 3.) call your insurance to see how to switch and 4.) use the Nuvigil discount card. There is definitely something wrong with the generic. It’s not in your head.
Never had a problem with the brand name Nuvigil, but experiencing problems with the generic Nuvigil from Mylan. The Mylan product makes me sleepy and makes my hands shake uncontrollably. I’ve also had 2 separate instances about 1 – 2 hours after taking it where I became very dizzy and passed out. I put in a complaint with the FDA and my doctor worked with insurance to get the brand name requested. My doctor did some research and found the Mylan product is only 70% efficacy vs Nuvigil 100%. The way the medications are produced are different. Think of Godiva chocolate versus generic chocolate. They’re both made from cocoa but the ingredients and the way they’re processed are very different.
This is very discouraging and disappointing. I recently refilled my Nuvigil prescription and the pharmacist offered a generic brand and I asked why. Their response was my doctor gave me the option and so I requested Nuvigil. Then I was told Out-Of-Pocket for the generic is the same as Nuvigil previous cost and Nuvigil’s Out-Of-Pocket cost tripled.
I thought the generic brand cost would be substantially less but it was the same as Out-Of-Pocket I’ve always paid for Nuvigil. This was discouraging and I intended to address the problem after Labor Day weekend. Viewing the comments on this site adds insult to injury and compounds discouragement with disappointment.
The first 5-comments expressed extreme side-effects and/or major reductions in effectiveness, my Out-Of-Pocket cost tripled for Nuvigil, and this is FDA approved. I would not give a second thought to the generic brand if my Out-Of-Pocket cost for Nuvigil remained the same. I’m not sure how this works but “Drug” in FDA might be replaced with “Treasury” for FTA which Federal Treasury Administration is fictitious but something is Out-Of-Control when Out-Of-Pocket increased 300% simultaneously with FDA approval of generic.
Happy Labor Day All
Mike
I am sooooo beyond Upset. My doctor gave me Samples of Nuvigil, I felt like a new person, I had been passing out for hours @ at time, Having sleep paralysis where when I first wake up I cannot open my eyes, move my arms, lift my head for sometimes 45 min. it is ssooooo scary. I am disabled and I am home alone all day. I took the NAME BRAND Nuvigil for three weeks.I felt like a new person. My insurance company fought the Name brand but was finally cleared for the name brand, but the pharmacy gave me the generic. I felt horrible, I was again falling to sleep. Was experiencing Tics, Stomach bloating, Paralysis, Just horrible, How can the drug company pass this off as the same ingredients when the affects are sooooo devastating.
Yeah the generic kind of Nuvigil sucks I’ve been getting the runs and my stomach being upset and i don’t fell like I stay awake as long ether. I need the regular Nuvigil back! Since I started taking it when it 1st came out am still having the same effects.
I’ve been on 200mg of nuvigil for two years. In July I was switched to generic 250mg. My insomnia, anxiety, depression, IBS, and fatigue got so much worse but I also started other new medications so I didn’t think twice about this generic being the cause. I felt something wasn’t right. 3 days ago I asked my Dr to put me back 200mg. Thankfully there is no 200mg of the generic so I was given regular nuvigil and the very first day I felt human again!!! Seriously, night and day. I immediately looked it up online and found this website and read the reviews. Thank you for confirming that the generic is crap. I don’t ever want to take generic again.
You are lucky! I switched to 200mg because that’s what I heard and they said they only carried it in Generic and that’s all they would give me.
I’m a little concerned hearing about these side effects. I was happy and surprised when I refilled my prescription to only pay $90 when I normally pay $200 with insurance but since my insurance company refused to pay for Nuvigil I was paying $500 or more for a refill. In addition, Mylan is also the same company who jacked up the price of EpiPens.
I’m so livid. CVS gave me 60 instead of 90 pills, when I went in for a refill they said they couldn’t give it to me for another month! I had my doctor change my dosage and CVS said we only carry this dosage in generic now indefinitely but we have your old dosage of Nuvigil if you wait. I waited a month and changed my dosage back and they said we only carry that in generic now too!! The only reason people buy this new generic is because they’re being forced too. I took it once at half dose and got horrible shakes and it didn’t help at all. I need this medicine to drive to work and home, taking our choice away is just wrong.
I have been taking the generic for Nuvigil, well this is the 2nd month. It does not work at all for me. My insurane company won’t pay for the brand. So how are you to function as a normal person? Has anyone had the same reaction to the generic?
I switched from Nuvigil to Armodafinil and now I am tired all day and occasionally stay awake the ENTIRE night. Now I feel as if I am not getting any of the benefits. It seems like each pill has a random amount of medication. Other symptoms have appeared which are sort of like allergic reactions and I too now have bloating and GI problems. Now, I can’t say that is from the generic, but it appeared at the same time. My biggest complaint is that the generic doesn’t really help me with my hypersomania. This is an enormous disappointment as I am exhausted. It’s interesting to see some similarities in the posts. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
I loved Nuvigil. It gave me my life back. I have hypersomnia. Ever since I made the switch to Armodafinil I have been exhausted all day and get NO sleep at night at least 3 times a month. Since the switch, I have peculiar allergic reactions on my thighs and back and sometimes my lips swell. I also started having GI problems and bloating. I am not sure if that is related, but I am very disappointed that it only attempts to help me stay awake. It appears to be most inconsistent. I am exhausted and hope to find a resolution. Thanks for posting your experiences.
Wow! This just confirms my suspicions. I got switched to generic this month and have been so tired in the last two weeks. I haven’t had the usual pep at work during the day and I have a hard time concentrating. I feel so miserable and tired I want to cry in despair. I was thinking of talking to my doctor about other options for narcolepsy like Xyrem. It wasn’t until I just looked at the bottle that I realized it was generic. This is having a severe effect on my productivity. I can’t function like this.
I did a little research in relation to the above commenter’s claim. Teva (Nuvigil manufacturer) does make a 200mg generic Nuvigil pill, but I could not find any source corroborating the claim that Mylan had ever been contracted to manufacture Nuvigil for Teva. In fact, Teva sued Mylan when they submitted their ANDA to the FDA (http://newsroom.mylan.com/press-releases?item=122721). Teva is not the original patent holder for Nuvigil. They were sued in 2009 by Cephalon for attempting to manufacture a generic version of armodifinil. Cephalon paid off three pharma companies, including Mylan, to hold off on manufacturing Provigil generics until 2012, after they’d had a chance to profit from the newly released Nuvigil. (http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/32182-the-rise-of-big-generic-why-knockoff-prescriptions-now-cost-1-200)
According to the Teva website, what they are calling a generic Nuvigil 200mg pill (https://www.tevagenerics.com/product/armodafinil-tablets-civ), is white, rounded-rectangular, and has 220 on one side and a “C” on the other (I’m guessing this stands for Cephalon, Inc., “a wholly owned subsidiary of Teva
Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd”). A photo of the pill is provided in the link above. This was previously manufactured by Actavis Pharma Inc, which was recently bought by Teva, hence the reason the same company which manufactures Nuvigil also manufactures the 200mg generic.
This is from the Teva patient medication guide:
Active Ingredient: armodafinil
Inactive Ingredients: lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose,
pregelatinized starch, croscarmellose sodium, povidone, and
magnesium stearate.
Mylan makes the other generic armodafinil. This is the one released in June that we all have issues with. It (https://www.mylan.com/en/products/armodafinil) is available in 50mg, 150mg, and 250mg (so, yes, it seems that getting a prescription for 200mg is the way to go if you want Nuvigil manufactured by Teva).
The Mylan pill is as follows:
50mg: round, white, A31/M
150mg: round, white, A32/M
250mg: oval, white, A33/M
Active Ingredient: armodafinil
Inactive Ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium,
lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate and povidone.
tl;dr: I believe the above commenter may have mistaken the Teva generic for Mylan generic, since Teva also manufactures Nuvigil (original patent by Cephalon, later bought by Teva). The product we are dissatisfied with is the one manufactured by Mylan. If there are any sources proving otherwise, please share them.
Is there anyone who has a lab that can send samples of the generic to get tested. I think the results would come back really interesting compared to Nuvigil.
Generic is $500 here same as Nuvigil. You would think someone out there with a lab would run tests on several generic tabs ….. Bet it would come up very interesting… Hmmm
I just talked to the Nuvigil, the company, and they agreed the generic was different than Nuvigil , that the regulations were looser on generics so that is why it does not work the same. Interesting Ha?!
I too am FORCED TO SWITCH FROM NUVIGIL TO GENARIC .NUVIGIL DIDN’T CAUSE ME TO HAVE STOMACH ISSUES .I have severe reflect from being fed Motrin for so many years .Motrin caused ulcers in my stomach and throat,inhaled GASTRIC ACID INTO MY LUNGS .THEN GENERIC CAUSES MY ESOPHAGUS TO BURN,AND I TAKE DEXALENT MOTRIN ALSO CAUSED ME TO HAVE MENINGITIS, IN WHICH THEY SAID IT WAS VIRAL. I DONOT BELIEVE THAT BECAUSE I HAVE TROUBLE REMEMBERING. I WAS AN RN FOR 29 YRS .THEN I HAD ULCERS ALL OVER MY BODY .NO ONE COULD DIANOSIS ME FOR 7 PAINFUL YRS .NOT EVEN UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN. I FOUND THE DIAGNOSIS MY SELF,I WAS GOING TO DIE .I WAS TAKING NORCO 10/325 FOR MY NECK AND BACK WELL I FOUND THE DIAGNOSIS ON THE FLAG SITE THAT THIS S/E HAD NOT BEEN MADE PUBLIC TISSUE EPIDERMAL NECROSIS..MY DR STOPPED THE NORCO,BECAUSE IT WAS THE TYLENOL CAUSING HUGE SKIN ULCERS IT TOOK ME 2 YRS TO HEAL,BECAUSE MY IMMUNITY IS SCREWED UP.I THINK YOU BETTER PRAY I’M NOT YOUR GUNNY PIG, I’M DONE BEING USED FOR EXPERIMENTS..MY SYSTEM IS SO FRAGILE,IT WILL JUST TAKE ONE MORE PROBLEM I TELL YOU MY ESOPHAGUS CONSTANTLY BURNS..
TERESA HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME,I’M TOO YOUNG TO DIEB
Our health insurance company forced me to swith to armodafinil. I haven’t had any problems. But what the Rx companies charge should be titled “legalized theft”
Regarding the US pharmaceutical industry, they are sllowed yo.operate a form of extortion business practices, because if I don’t pay the outrageous corporate greed price … I then will be on disability.
Their ridiculous prices are NOT a result of research & development, because about 75% of all R&D is conducted by Universities, funded by US tax dollars.
Thwy charge what evee they want because they are allowed. Other countries regulate and negotiate Rx prices to protect their citizens from financial corporate abuse. But not tbe good ole USA.
I’ve been so sleepy lately and having a constant headache. So I decided to do some research on the generic Nuvigil. Apparently I’m not crazy and it’s not just in my head! Took my meds this morning and within an hour I was asleep! Will definitely be doing what I can to get back on Nuvigil name brand. Disheartening though I was so excited item for the reduced cost after all the years of paying so much.
I talked to my doctor (and PCP), and was switched to generic modafinil (different manufacturer), the stomach issues have largely subsided! The medicine is equally as effective for me, only difference being a twice a day dosage. It has only been a week and I still have some mild discomfort, but the extreme bloating, feeling of distended stomach, general GI cramping has all gone away. If you are experiencing stomach issues from Mylan’s Armodafinil, I highly recommend discussing with your doctor.
Same here. Can’t function at all without Nuvigil. Was pushed on generic now I feel nothing even at double dose. I sleep and can’t function. Isn’t this regulated by FDA the same wth is going on. This is my life and its about to cost me everything.
This new generic nuvigil is the worse drug I have ever taken. I am so mad and no where to put my anger. I have taken this just short a month. Thee ins. Co. Knows I have trouble when my drugs are changed. It is thought to be the fillers?? I have had stomach issues so bad, diarrhea, don’t have the energy to get dress a lot of days. I kept trying to see the gastro dr. But always backed up. Pharmacist and husband wanted me to go to ER. I have to take pain meds that didn’t help. Then I reached for my tablet one night and read the reviews.WOW I stopped that stuff 3 day ago. What a difference. But here I still sit.
Hi
Just saw your comment and have just got provigil by Teva from my doctor. Modalert was working well for me and also lifted my mood so was excited to actually get provigil. It is rubbish I’m back to being snappy and grumpy and am falling asleep . I have narcolepsy so need my medication to work . This doesn’t and is double the price of modalert .
I too have experienced the near-complete failure of newly prescribed generic nuvigil to overcome my sleepiness throughout day. This is not good but I suspect it is not about us/the drug users/revenue source…
I’m sorry so many people are having these problems, but I’m relieved to confirm the problem with the generic. I refilled my Nuvigil prescription and started having problems right away. I had trouble staying awake while driving home from work. I’m drinking coffee all day again. And strange things have been happening like nausea, muscle pains, stomach cramps, one of my eyes swelled almost shut last week. Basically, I feel like crap again.
I’ve never had problems with generics before, but I suspected this generic was the culprit.
I’ll check with my insurance and see if I can switch back and still have it covered. I assume they will deny it. The 200mg generic might be the way to go. I’ll also contact Mylan and the FDA. There might be a “failed” generic provision for my insurance. I hope the Manufacturer of Nugivil makes a generic version.
Lucy
ALL VERSIONS OF THE GENERIC ARE BOGUS I TRYED BRAND AND WAS GREAT THEN HAD TO TAKE GENERICS AND I GOT DIZZZY SLEEPY STOMACH CRAMPS VERY BAD HEADACHES WHAT A WASTE OF MY LIFE GETTING THE GENERIC FAKE NUVIGIL.THE GENERIC IS NOT THE SAME AT ALL!
I just went to the Teva website from the link provided, and they show a generic Nuvigil 250mgs along with the lower doses. The trick will be to find a pharmacy that fills the prescription with the Teva generic only. Once a drug goes generic there’s no way of telling or controlling it.
How about even being able to GET Nuvigil on your insurance? I had to switch insurance companies last year. I even called this new company and was assured that with approval they would and did carry the Nuvigil. After switching my doctor did the usual request with documentation. They denied it. Then they denied the appeal. After 6 months they said I could have my doctor try again. They have done so and STILL I have no medication. I was curious how the generic stacked up when it was announced. Now that the generic has come out the insurance company wants me to pay almost three times more for the name brand. Basically the difference for them between the generic and the name brand is what I have to now pay., but it is all a moot point since I can’t seem to get ANY – generic or name brand – APPROVED. It has been almost a year and I am at my wits ends… GOD DO I HATE EXPRESS SCRIPTS the pharmacy arm of many insurance companies!!!!!!
FYI everyone with a complaint should call both the FDA and Milan directly to formally let them know the ineffectiveness of the medication! The FDA rep I spoke with said they investigate every claim and was shocked to hear the differences in experiencing since being on mylans generic. the more complaints the better!
Do you have numbers you can give us?
I transitioned from Nuvigil 250 (2013) to Mylan Armodafinil 250 in August, 2016. There was a marked decrease in effectiveness. I experience increased daytime fatigue, maybe 1/2 as effective – constant anxiety that increased over time, insomnia, and memory and attention issues related to fatigue. I was forced on this generic by my insurance company – instead of $1800 for a three month supply, it is $1500. My insurance company fought my prior auth for generic ardafinil – and I was given a 30 day trail of Branded Nuvigil to get by. The difference is significant. After two weeks no anxiety, no headaches, no insomnia. I am tackling complex analytical problems in a few days – (at work) that have stumped me for over 4 months. This generic is still better – than not having any version of Nuvigil – and I will take it if that’s my only option. But otherwise I am going to avoid it. Right now I need to buy my next refill out of pocket, and Branded Nuvigil (retail local price no disocunt) is less expensive than the generic in the 250 mg dose. I will be paying $700 out of pocket for 30 days worth. I wont be able to afford that long.
I have a severe case of narcolepsy – dose off into REM sleep when driving, without being sleepy, without noticing the onset – that kind of narcolepsy. On Provigil several years then switched directly to Mylan generic Nuvigil. It was much better, if not perfect. However, my pharmacy changed suppliers a few months ago to Natco generic Nuvigil and it was useless. No side effects, just completely ineffective. Tried it for 90 days to be sure, then switched to brand Nuvigil. Wow, didn’t know it could be this good. Huge difference between brand and generic. My doctor has now indicated that it is medically necessary for me to take brand Nuvigil, but my insurance will only pay for generic no matter what – at least until after I challenge their decision. If you have prescription drug coverage and it is medically necessary for you to take the brand medication, it should be covered, in my view as an attorney. Nuvigil interacts directly with the brain – it should not be a shock to anyone that different formulations may interact differently in a person’s brain. I’m no scientist, but it’s foolish to believe otherwise. Has anyone had experience with Lupin generic Nuvigil? Same result?
Is anyone participating in the provigil class action suit?
I have been on nuvigil 50mg daily for 3 years, all of a sudden I thought I was depressed, no motivation, needing to nap all of the time (I have narcolepsy) and felt I was just a lazy person. Then I realized the name on the bottle changed to generic. Now, I am taking 2 of the 50mg pills and it is working ok but what an awful generic version!!!!I’m going to complain to the FDA (I am also a Doctor!!!!)
Why does the generic not work if it is the same thing? It not only didn’t work but it put all my other medicines (that where FINALLY stabilized in a tailspin. It took me two months to pinpoint the problem.Now instead of a four dollar copay it’s 349.00. Shouldn’t we have some recourse? Is adderall a good option for narcolepsy?
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I HAVE TAKEN BRECKENRIDGE, AND MYLAR — I AM APALLED. I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW A COMPANY COULD GET AWAY WITH THIS. I take the 250MG and want to get all three tested. Can someone point me in the direction to do so?
I have been taking Nuvigil for narcolepsy and when the generic came out my insurance company forced me to switch. It does not work. I take naps all the time, feel awful and have no motivation to get out of bed. I spend a couple hours trying to get up in the morning, worse than if I take nothing. I can’t hold a regular job on this generic poison. It is bad!
They can say it has the same ingredients and there is no difference but I promise this is not the case. It may be the same ingredients but the method of production is different causing it to have adverse side effects and actually cause more problems than taking nothing.
I have been taking nuvigil for several years. It actually gave me a life that I didn’t have before. Now I didn’t have to go home in the middle of the day for a long nap. Then about a year ago it all changed. I didn’t want to tell the doctor it wasn’t working anymore because it was the best thing I’ve ever taken. I was sure it was just me. I didn’t realize I was taking the generic until recently. I called to see how long I’d been on the generic and wow, that was it. I called the doctor, asked for the name brand and that was a few days ago. I am back to no naps, and sleeping at night so much better.
I have been taking Provigil for 15 years. Then I too was switched to Mylan Generic and no longer get any benefit from the drug. It was overnight. As soon as I started the generic, the effectiveness feels like it decreased 90%. In the past taking a 400mg dose would get me very alert, sometimes too much. Now I have to take 400mg just to get any benefit from it. There is something wrong with this generic. Either it contains little of the active ingredient or there is some manufacturing problem because this is not working. I can barely function now, all of a sudden, after getting the generic. This is rediculous.
I’ve only taken the generic nuvigil I have gotten it filled 3 times, once with the Mylan generic & two times with the Cephalon generic I agree that the mylan generic does not work but I do just fine with the other. Not only does it not work but it also has a absolutey horrible taste of which almost makes me I’ll. I think that mylan should be reported to the FDA.
I took Provigil for 10 years, Nuvigil for 6 years. Got my first generic, Mylan, filled today. Walmart wanted $550 for generic!!! Local pharmacy sold it for $65 ! I am VERY happy with the results so far. Working just as good as brand name with less sour stomach probems. I AM VERY HAPPY WITH MILAN ARMODAFINIL!!#
Ditto. I miss my NUVIGIL.
I finally had my life back after starting Nuvigil 250 once a day. I could drive, function, not worry about falling. I have severe narcolepsy with Cataplexy. I did not even know when I would fall asleep. Then, like so many others, my insurance kicked me to generic form. Sleepy all the time, several falls, afraid to drive. The heretic amodafinal may as well be a gumdrop. No effect. My doctor fought for the real thing, approved. But, at the highest copay, $125.00 for 30 days. Wretched thieves. Many coupons and programs but I don’t qualify for them as I have Medicare. Only A & B, because the rx part is too expensive. Anyone who takes this med, scour the internet for the coupons and programs. You may qualify. I’ll pay the exorbitant price, but I won’t go back to generic and take a chance with a car wreck, serious fall or zombie state of mind.
Wow I’m so glad to stumble across this forum these are some of the same problems I discuss with my doctor when I started taking Mylan brand I notice there was a strong chemical like smell and taste. I know this is TMI but,I could even smell it in my urine, so other than that I also notice that instead of getting the awake feeling, I often felt very tired after taking the medication. I called around to many pharmacies checking to see who carried another brand other than Mylan. So, I tried the other brand,and I didn’t have those same effects not the taste nor fhe smell. So, I do believe something is not right with it..
I noticed the same thing, I was falling asleep after I took it, more sleepy than if I didn’t take it. I too noticed a strange smell to my urine, but I thought I was something I ate, because I had been eating avacado, but then when I hadnt had any smelly food i noticed my urine still smelled. My insurance won’t pay for brand name anymore unless I have a severe or allergic reaction to generic.