Approved Drug Label (PDF)
5
Warnings and Precautions
5.1 Serious Dermatologic Reactions, including Stevens-JohnsonSyndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrosis
(additions
underlined)
Serious rash requiring hospitalization
and discontinuation of treatment has been reported in association with the use of
NUVIGIL (armodafinil) or modafinil (the racemic mixture of S- and R-enantiomers).
NUVIGIL has not been studied in
pediatric patients in any setting and is not approved for use in pediatric patients
for any indication.
In clinical trials of modafinil, the incidence of rash resulting in discontinuation
was approximately 0.8% (13 per 1,585) in pediatric patients (age <17 years);
these rashes included 1 case of possible Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and 1 case
of apparent multi-organ hypersensitivity reaction/ Drug Rash with Eosinophilia
and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) .Several
of the cases were associated with fever and other abnormalities (e.g., vomiting,
leukopenia). The median time to rash that resulted in discontinuation was 13 days.
No such cases were observed among 380 pediatric patients who received placebo.
Skin and mouth sores,
blistering, and ulceration have been reported with modafinil and NUVIGIL in the
postmarketing setting. Recurrence of signs and symptoms of serious dermatologic
reactions following rechallenge has been reported in some cases.
Rare cases of serious or life-threatening
rash, including SJS and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN),have been reported
in adults and children in worldwide post-marketing experience with modafinil and NUVIGIL.
There are no factors, including
duration of therapy, that are known to predict the risk of occurrence or the
severity of rash associated with modafinil or NUVIGIL. In cases where the time to onset was
reported, serious rash occurred 1 day to 2 months after initiation
of treatment, but isolated cases of serious dermatologic reactions
have been reported with symptoms beginning after prolonged treatment (e.g.,
3 months).
Although benign rashes also occur
with NUVIGIL, it is not possible to reliably predict which rashes will prove to
be serious. Accordingly, NUVIGIL should be discontinued at the first sign of rash,
skin or mouth sores, or blistering or ulceration, unless the rash is
clearly not drug-related. Discontinuation of treatment may not prevent a rash from
becoming life-threatening or permanently disabling or disfiguring.
5.2 Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and System Symptoms (DRESS)/Multiorgan Hypersensitivity
(new subsection
added)
DRESS, also
known as multi-organ
hypersensitivity, has been reported
with
NUVIGIL.
DRESS typically, although not exclusively, presents
with fever, rash,
lymphadenopathy, and/or facial
swelling, in association
with other organ
system
involvement, such as hepatitis, nephritis,
hematologic abnormalities, myocarditis,
or myositis, sometimes
resembling an acute viral infection. Eosinophilia is often present. This disorder
is variable in its
expression, and
other organ systems not noted here may be involved. It is
important to note that early manifestations of hypersensitivity (e.g.,
fever, lymphadenopathy) may be present even
though rash is not evident.
One fatal case of DRESS that occurred in close temporal association
(3 weeks) with the initiation
of NUVIGIL treatment has
been reported in the postmarketing setting. In addition, multi-organ hypersensitivity reactions, including at
least
one fatality in post-marketing experience, have occurred in close temporal association
(median time to detection 13 days; range 4-33)
to the initiation of modafinil.
Although there have been a limited
number of reports, multi-organ
hypersensitivity reactions
may
result in hospitalization or be life-threatening.
If
a multi-organ
hypersensitivity reaction is suspected, NUVIGIL should
be discontinued. Although there are no
case
reports to indicate cross-sensitivity with
other
drugs
that produce this syndrome,
the
experience with
drugs
associated with multi-organ hypersensitivity would indicate this to be
a possibility.
5.5 Psychiatric Symptoms
(subsection
revised, additions underlined)
In pre-approval narcolepsy, OSA
and SWD controlled trials of NUVIGIL, anxiety, agitation, nervousness, and irritability
were reasons for treatment discontinuation more often in patients on NUVIGIL compared
to placebo (NUVIGIL 1.2% and placebo 0.3%). Depression was also a reason for treatment
discontinuation more often in patients on NUVIGIL compared to placebo (NUVIGIL 0.6%
and placebo 0.2%). Cases of suicidal ideation were observed in clinical trials.
Caution should be exercised when
NUVIGIL is given to patients with a history of psychosis, depression, or mania.
If psychiatric symptoms develop in association with NUVIGIL administration, consider
discontinuing NUVIGIL.
Psychiatric adverse reactions have
been reported in patients treated with modafinil. Modafinil and NUVIGIL (armodafinil)
are very closely related. Therefore, the incidence and type of psychiatric symptoms
associated with NUVIGIL are expected to be similar to the incidence and type of
these events with modafinil.
Post-marketing adverse reactions associated with the use of NUVIGIL,
some of which have resulted in hospitalization, have included mania, delusions,
hallucinations, suicidal ideation, and aggression. Many, but not all, patients who
developed psychiatric adverse reactions had a prior psychiatric history. In
these cases, reported NUVIGIL total daily doses ranged from 50 mg to 450
mg, which includes doses below and above the recommended dosages.
6
Adverse Reactions
6.2 Postmarketing Experience
(new
subsection added)
The following adverse reactions
have been identified during post approval use of NUVIGIL. Because these reactions
are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always
possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship
to drug exposure.
Gastrointestinal
Disorders: Mouth Sores (including mouth
blistering and ulceration)
(additions
underlined)
The following serious adverse reactions
are described below and elsewhere in the labeling:
- Serious Dermatologic Reactions
- Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and System Symptoms
(DRESS)/Multiorgan Hypersensitivity
- Angioedema and Anaphylaxis Reactions
- Persistent Sleepiness
- Psychiatric Symptoms
- Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machinery
- Cardiovascular Events
8
Use in Specific Populations
8.1 Pregnancy
(PLLR
conversion, please refer to label)
8.2 Lactation
(PLLR
conversion)
Risk
Summary
There are no data on the presence of armodafinil or its
metabolite in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effect of
this drug on milk production. Modafinil was present in rat milk when animals were
dosed during the lactation period. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding
should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for armodafinil and any
potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from armodafinil or from the
underlying maternal condition.
8.3 Females and Males of Reproductive Potential
(PLLR
conversion)
The effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives
may be reduced when used with NUVIGIL and for one month after discontinuation
of therapy. Advise women who are using a hormonal method of contraception to
use an additional barrier method or an alternative non-hormonal method of contraception
during treatment with NUVIGIL and for one month after discontinuation of NUVIGIL
treatment.
17 PCI/PI/MG (Patient Counseling Information/Patient Information/Medication Guide)
17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION
(section
revised, additions underlined)
Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved
patient labeling (Medication Guide).
Serious Dermatologic
Reactions
Advise patients and
caregivers about the risk of potentially fatal serious skin reactions. Educate
patients about the signs and symptoms that may signal a serious skin reaction. Instruct
patients to discontinue NUVIGIL and consult with their healthcare provider immediately
if a skin reaction such as rash, mouth sores, blisters, or peeling skin occurs
during treatment with NUVIGIL.
DRESS/Multi-organ Hypersensitivity
Instruct patients
that a fever associated with signs of other organ system involvement (e.g., rash,
lymphadenopathy, hepatic dysfunction) may be drug-related and should be reported
to their healthcare provider immediately.
Angioedema and Anaphylactic
Reactions
Advise patients of
life-threatening symptoms suggesting anaphylaxis or angioedema (such as hives,
difficulty in swallowing or breathing, hoarseness, or swelling of the face, eyes,
lips, or tongue) that can occur with NUVIGIL. Instruct them to discontinue NUVIGIL
and immediately report these symptoms to their healthcare provider.
Wakefulness
Advise patients that treatment
with NUVIGIL will not eliminate their abnormal tendency to fall asleep. Advise patients that they should
not alter their previous behavior with regard to potentially dangerous activities
(e.g., driving, operating machinery) or other activities requiring appropriate levels
of wakefulness, until and unless treatment with NUVIGIL has been shown to produce
levels of wakefulness that permit such activities. Advise patients that NUVIGIL
is not a replacement for sleep.
Continuing Previously
Prescribed Treatments
Inform patients that it may be critical
that they continue to take their previously prescribed treatments (e.g., patients
with OSA receiving CPAP should continue to do so).
Psychiatric Symptoms
Advise patients to stop taking NUVIGIL
and contact their physician right away if they experiencedepression, anxiety,
or signs of psychosis or mania.
Pregnancy
Advise women that
there is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women
exposed to NUVIGIL.
Females of Reproductive
Potential
Caution females regarding
the potential increased risk of pregnancy when using hormonal contraceptives
(including depot or implantable contraceptives) with NUVIGIL and advise females
who are using a hormonal method of contraception to use an additional barrier method
or an alternative non-hormonal method of contraception during treatment with NUVIGIL
and for one month after discontinuation of NUVIGIL.
Concomitant Medication
Advise patients to inform their
physician if they are taking, or plan to take, any prescription or over-the-counter
drugs, because of the potential for interactions between NUVIGIL and other drugs.
Alcohol
Advise patients that the use of
NUVIGIL in combination with alcohol has not been studied. Advise patients that it
is prudent to avoid alcohol while taking NUVIGIL.
MEDICATION GUIDE
(additions
and revisions, please refer to label)