[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Wake-promoting agents and narcolepsy drugs](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/wake-promoting-agents-and-narcolepsy-drugs/) › Armodafinil

# Armodafinil

## Wake-promoting agents and narcolepsy drugs?

Wake-promoting agents and narcolepsy drugs

The R-enantiomer of modafinil, used for the same kinds of excessive sleepiness. It shares modafinil's rash and contraceptive warnings.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

## Quick facts

**Group**
[Wake-promoting agents and narcolepsy drugs](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/wake-promoting-agents-and-narcolepsy-drugs/)

**Target**
Dopamine transporter (DAT)

**Used for**
Excessive sleepiness in narcolepsy

**Key effects**
Headache · Nausea · Dizziness

**Monitor**
Daytime sleepiness and safety to drive

**ATC**
N06BA13

No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Administration and safety
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## Mechanism of action

Armodafinil is the R-enantiomer of modafinil. Its wake-promoting mechanism is not fully known; it acts as an indirect dopamine agonist by binding the dopamine transporter and blocking dopamine reuptake.

- Binds the dopamine transporter, like modafinil
- Dopamine reuptake falls and synaptic dopamine rises
- Wakefulness improves through the day

## Indications

- Excessive sleepiness in narcolepsy [Narcolepsy →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/narcolepsy/)
- Residual sleepiness in obstructive sleep apnoea [Obstructive sleep apnoea →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/obstructive-sleep-apnoea/)
- Shift work disorder

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Insomnia

### Serious (rare, important)

- Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis
- DRESS, angioedema and anaphylaxis
- Mania, psychosis and suicidal thoughts
- Abuse and dependence, with withdrawal after abrupt stopping

## Contraindications

- Known hypersensitivity to modafinil or armodafinil

## Key interactions

**Hormonal contraceptives**
Less effective during treatment and for one month after

**Cyclosporine**
Lower cyclosporine levels

**CYP2C19 substrates (omeprazole, phenytoin, diazepam)**
Higher levels of these drugs

## What is monitored

- Daytime sleepiness and safety to drive
- Rash and psychiatric symptoms

## Administration and safety

- Given by mouth once a day, in the morning or before the work shift
- Controlled medicine (Schedule IV in the United States)
- Look-alike name with modafinil: they are not given together

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Animal studies showed developmental toxicity and human data are limited.

## Nursing care

- Teach to stop it and seek care at the first rash, blisters or mouth sores
- Counsel on added or non-hormonal contraception
- Watch mood and signs of misuse

## Pharmacokinetics

**Metabolism**
Mainly amide hydrolysis; CYP3A4/5 forms a sulfone metabolite

**Half-life**
About 15 hours

## Memory aid

Armodafinil: «A for the R-arm» of modafinil – same DAT block, same rash and pill warnings.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## How is armodafinil related to modafinil?

It is modafinil's R-enantiomer.

## Which contraindication do modafinil and armodafinil share?

Known hypersensitivity to either drug.

## Which enzyme family forms armodafinil's sulfone metabolite?

CYP3A4/5.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/armodafinil/)

[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

## Connections

## Related drugs 3

- [Modafinil](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/modafinil/)
- [Solriamfetol](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/solriamfetol/)
- [Pitolisant](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/pitolisant/)

## Related conditions 2

- [Narcolepsy](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/narcolepsy/)
- [Obstructive sleep apnoea](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/obstructive-sleep-apnoea/)

[← Back to the class: Wake-promoting agents and narcolepsy drugs](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/wake-promoting-agents-and-narcolepsy-drugs/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [DailyMed - ARMODAFINIL tablet](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=23da56b8-7552-4362-a1ab-e794c131194c) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=N06BA13) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/armodafinil/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/armodafinil/