Nuvigil

[LegzRN]

Just heard about this drug on a radio ad. I work night shift, and sometimes feel I fall into the **** work sleep disorder problem. Anyone take this or know someone who does?

Before the hounds attack me, I don't expect to go to my PCP and inquire about this drug, and I'm not looking for medical advice. Those who work off hours, and how they maintain their lives doing so, interest me - so I'm just looking for some insight.

Thanks!

[klone, MSN, RN]

I took Provigil for a few years (before my last pregnancy). I assume they're similar. Provigil was modafinil.

It worked well, I liked it, and it was very helpful. I would take it during my shift, at around 11pm. The biggest complaint was that the first few months I took it, it would make my hands a bit shaky, which made it difficult to start IVs. That eventually wore off. As I mentioned, I stopped taking it when I got pregnant, and then I was breastfeeding, and then I went to day shift and didn't need it. I've been working nights again for the past year and have occasionally wished for it, but I don't have a relationship with my current PCP so don't feel comfortable asking for a scrip for it (I feel weird enough asking for Ambien).

[litbitblack, ASN, RN]

The psych docs give it to some of our alz pts who have been very sleepy all the time during the day. Start on low dose and increase. they said they have had good results

[ShayRN]

I occasionally take Provigil because of my sleep apnea. Some nights my machine just isn't enough. The only side effect I have had is dry mouth. I also only take it about once every 6 weeks or so.

[SpEdtacular, MSN, RN, EMT-P]

My husband has tried both for shift work and they seemed to help. I tried Provigil and the only difference I noticed was that if I took it one day and then didn't the next I was about 1,000 x more tired that next morning. Provigil is available as a generic now but Nuvigil (the company's "newer, better" drug) is not.

I agree asking your doctor about controlled substances seems kind of awkward, but if you need it. You can always go about it indirectly too i.e. I started working nights and I'm having a really tough time adjusting. Is there anything I can take to help me stay awake?

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

Provigil is available as a generic now but Nuvigil (the company's "newer, better" drug) is not.

True. There is only a slight difference in the molecular make up of the drug. The company claims there are significant differences, but the reality is that the patent was up on Provigil and they needed something else to take it's spot.