Armodafinil (armodafinil)

Amphetamines/Anorexiants/Stimulants Oral Tablet

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Armodafinil, the R-enantiomer of racemic modafinil, is a wakefulness-promoting agent.

Armodafinil is a non-amphetamine wakefulness-promoting agent. The drug is theR-enantiomer of modafinil, which is a racemic compound containing equal amounts of the R- and S- isomers. Both armodafinil and modafinil are benzhydrylsulfinylacetamides.

Armodafinil is the longer-lasting R-isomer of modafinil, having a half-life approximately 3-4 times longer than that of S-modafinil. In vitro and animal studies have shown that armodafinil and modafinil have similar pharmacologic actions.

The exact mechanism by which armodafinil and modafinil promote wakefulness is not known, but may involve activation of certain arousal centers of the brain (e.g., hypothalamus, prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex). Armodafinil and modafinil have wake-promoting effects similar to sympathomimetic agents (e.g., amphetamine, methylphenidate); however, their pharmacologic profile is not identical to such agents. Additionally, modafinil produces effects commonly described with other CNS stimulants in humans, including psychoactive and euphoric effects and alterations in mood, perception, thinking, and feelings.

Armodafinil is an indirect dopamine receptor agonist, and has been shown in in vitro studies to bind to the dopamine transporter and inhibit dopamine reuptake. Such inhibitory effects have been associated with increased extracellular dopamine concentrations in animal models. The stimulant effects of modafinil can be attenuated by the alpha1-adrenergic receptor antagonist prazosin, but modafinil is inactive in other assay systems known to be responsive to alpha1-adrenergic receptor agonists.

The active component of Nuvigil(R) is armodafinil, which is the longer-acting enantiomer (R-enantiomer) of modafinil. Armodafinil is readily absorbed following oral administration, with peak plasma concentrations occurring at approximately 2 hours in the fasted state. The effect of food on the overall bioavailability of armodafinil appears minimal, but time to achieve peak concentrations may be delayed by approximately 2-4 hours in the fed state.

Armodafinil exhibits linear pharmacokinetics following administration of single or multiple oral doses of the drug over the dosage range of 50-400 mg. Steady-state plasma concentrations of armodafinil are achieved within 7 days of daily administration, and the mean elimination half-life of the drug is approximately 15 hours. Peak plasma concentrations and total exposure of armodafinil at steady state are approximately 37% and 70% higher, respectively, following 200 mg of armodafinil compared to 200 mg of modafinil, which is due to the more rapid clearance of the S-enantiomer compared to the R-enantiomer.

Although the plasma protein binding of armodafinil is not known, modafinil is 60% bound to plasma proteins, predominantly albumin. Interactions with highly-protein bound drugs are expected to be minimal. Armodafinil undergoes hydrolytic deamidation, S-oxidation, and aromatic ring hydroxylation, with subsequent glucuronide conjugation of the hydroxylated products.

The 2 principal metabolites (R-modafinil acid and modafinil sulfone) of armodafinil or modafinil do not appear to contribute to the CNS-activating properties of the parent compounds. Although the metabolic fate of armodafinil has not been specifically studied, racemic modafinil is mainly eliminated via metabolism, predominantly in the liver, with 80% of the drug excreted in urine and 1% in feces, mainly as metabolites. Pharmacokinetic analyses indicate gender has no impact on armodafinil pharmacokinetics.

It is not known whether race/ethnicity affects the pharmacokinetics of armodafinil.

USES: Armodafinil reduces extreme sleepiness due to narcolepsy and other sleep disorders, such as periods of stopped breathing during sleep (obstructive sleep apnea). It is also used to help you stay awake during work hours if you have a work schedule that keeps you from having a normal sleep routine (shift work sleep disorder). This medication does not cure these sleep disorders and may not get rid of all your sleepiness.

Armodafinil does not take the place of getting enough sleep. It should not be used to treat tiredness or hold off sleep in people who do not have a sleep disorder. It is not known how armodafinil works to keep you awake.

It is thought to work by affecting certain substances in the brain that control the sleep/wake cycle.

Generic name: armodafinil
Pronunciation: (AR-moe-DAF-i-nil)
Drug class: Amphetamines/Anorexiants/Stimulants
Therapeutic class: Central Nervous System Agents

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Armodafinil:

  • Narcolepsy Syndrome
  • Sleepiness Due To Obstructive Sleep Apnea
  • Sleepiness Due To Shift Work Sleep Disorder

Also known as: Excessive Sleepiness Associated With Osahs, Friedmann's Disease, Gelineau's Syndrome, Hypnolepsy, Narcolepsy, Paroxysmal Sleep, Sleepiness Associated With Hypopnea Syndrome, Sleepiness Associated With Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Sleepiness Associated With Shifting Sleep-Work Schedule, Somnolence From Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Dosing

No dosing information is available for this tab.

Drug interactions

In vitro and in vivo data have shown that armodafinil is primarily metabolized via amide hydrolysis, and to a lesser extent by cytochrome P-450 (CYP) isoenzymes 3A4/5. In vitro studies indicate that armodafinil is a weak inducer of CYP1A2 and possibly CYP3A, and a reversible inhibitor of CYP2C19. Other CYP activities do not appear to be affected by armodafinil. In vitro studies have also shown that armodafinil is a substrate of the efflux transporter P-glycoprotein, although the impact of this inhibition is not known.

Contraindications

*Known hypersensitivity to armodafinil, modafinil, or any ingredient in the formulation.

Adverse reactions

Adverse effects reported in >=5% of patients receiving armodafinil in clinical trials and more frequently than with placebo include headache, nausea, dizziness, and insomnia.

Precautions

No enhanced messaging available.

ICD codes

CodeTypeDescription
Narcolepsy syndrome
G47.4ICD10CMNarcolepsy and cataplexy
G47.41ICD10CMNarcolepsy
G47.411ICD10CMNarcolepsy with cataplexy
G47.419ICD10CMNarcolepsy without cataplexy
G47.42ICD10CMNarcolepsy in conditions classified elsewhere
G47.421ICD10CMNarcolepsy in conditions classified elsewhere with cataplexy
G47.429ICD10CMNarcolepsy in conditions classified elsewhere without cataplexy
Sleepiness due to obstructive sleep apnea
R40.0ICD10CMSomnolence
Sleepiness due to shift work sleep disorder
R40.0ICD10CMSomnolence

ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data