Does Nuvigil show up on a drug test?

Does Nuvigil show up on a drug test?

No, Nuvigil (Armodafinil) does not show up on a drug test or cause a false positive for any controlled substances. Since it is not a drug of abuse itself, none of the drug tests is focused on this medication and it is not likely for Nuvigil to show up on a standard 12-panel drug test. 

So, if you’re on Nuvigil and you have a drug test coming up, don’t worry. It will most likely not show up. However, the possibility of false positives can depend on the testing procedure you’re going for. 

Cheaper drug testing procedures are commonly used for sure, but their results are not error-free (1). As long as highly accurate testing procedures are concerned, they are pretty expensive and not everyone can afford them easily. 

In the case of Nuvigil, even cheaper drug testing procedures are not known to cause a false positive. 

How is Nuvigil different from drugs that show up on a drug test?

Nuvigil is a medication used to promote wakefulness in individuals with sleep disorders such as narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder. 

Unlike drugs that commonly show up on drug tests, such as amphetamines or opioids, Nuvigil belongs to a different class of medications called Eugeroics, which are known to have different mechanisms of action.

Nuvigil works by affecting certain chemicals in the brain that regulate sleep and wakefulness. It primarily targets the dopamine system, increasing the availability of dopamine in the brain, which promotes wakefulness and alertness (1,2).

When it comes to drug tests, standard drug screenings typically focus on detecting specific substances like illicit drugs, prescription opioids, or amphetamines. Nuvigil is not one of the substances typically screened for in standard drug tests, as it is not considered a controlled substance or a commonly abused drug.

However, it is important to note that Nuvigil should be used properly to make the most of it. Nuvigil tablets can be cut in half if your doctor has asked you to take half a dose or if you find it difficult to swallow the tablets whole.

However, you need to follow your doctor’s directions properly to achieve your desired therapeutic outcome.

Final words

To sum up, Nuvigil does not show up on a drug test. However, it’s important to note that drug testing can vary depending on the specific purpose and requirements of the test. 

If you have concerns about drug testing and the use of Nuvigil, it’s advisable to discuss this with your healthcare provider or the drug testing authority to ensure clarity and transparency regarding any medications you are taking.

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References

1.-

Alyson Schwebach, Jennifer Ball. Urine Drug Screening: Minimizing False Positives and False Negatives to Optimize Patient Care. US Pharm. 2013;38(12):1-6. Available at: https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/urine-drug-screening-minimizing-false-positives-and-false-negatives-to-optimize-patient-care

2.-

Garnock-Jones KP, Dhillon S, Scott LJ. Armodafinil. CNS Drugs. 2009 Sep;23(9):793-803. doi: 10.2165/11203290-000000000-00000. PMID: 19689169. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19689169/

3.-

Harsh JR, Hayduk R, Rosenberg R, Wesnes KA, Walsh JK, Arora S, Niebler GE, Roth T. The efficacy and safety of armodafinil as treatment for adults with excessive sleepiness associated with narcolepsy. Curr Med Res Opin. 2006 Apr;22(4):761-74. doi: 10.1185/030079906X100050. PMID: 16684437. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16684437/