Armodafinil, sold under the brand name Nuvigil, is a wakefulness-promoting medication which is used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness associated with obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and shift work disorder.

[4][5] Armodafinil is produced by the pharmaceutical company Cephalon[12] and was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2007.

[17] Armodafinil, along with racemic modafinil, has been repurposed as an adjunctive treatment for acute depression in people with bipolar disorder.

[10] In June 2010, it was revealed that a phase II study of armodafinil as an adjunctive therapy in adults with schizophrenia had failed to meet the primary endpoints, and the clinical program was subsequently terminated.

[8] In placebo-controlled studies, the most commonly observed side effects were headache, xerostomia (dry mouth), nausea, dizziness, and insomnia.

[10] Possible side effects also include depression, anxiety, hallucinations, euphoria, extreme increase in activity and talking, anorexia, tremor, thirst, rash, suicidal thoughts, and aggression.

[12][22][23] Serious rashes can develop in rare cases, and require immediate medical attention due to the possibility of Stevens–Johnson syndrome, or other hypersensitivities to armodafinil.

In addition to its wake-promoting effects and ability to increase locomotor activity in animals, according to Nuvigil prescribing information from manufacturer Cephalon, armodafinil produces psychoactive and euphoric effects, alterations in mood, perception, thinking, and feelings typical of other central nervous system (CNS) stimulants in humans.

The absolute oral bioavailability was not determined due to the aqueous insolubility of armodafinil, which precluded intravenous administration.

Food effect on the overall bioavailability of armodafinil is considered minimal; however, time to reach peak concentration may be delayed 2–4 hours in the fed state.

[30] Schedule 4 is defined as "Substances, the use or supply of which should be by or on the order of persons permitted by State or Territory legislation to prescribe and should be available from a pharmacist on prescription."

[32] The drug reached phase 3 clinical trials for treatment of fatigue prior to the discontinuation of its development for this use in January 2024.

[32] Aside from the preceding indications, armodafinil is currently under development for the treatment of eating disorders and, as of January 2024, is in phase 3 trials for this use.