Provigil - generic form or Nuvigil

[JulesL5S1]

I found out at the doctor's office today that Provigil is going generic.  Good news/bad news.  Bad news is that my insurance has never approved Provigil but my doctor always had a plenty of samples for me.  Now, no more samples.

Has anyone tried the generic Provigil?

I've been given the new  Nuvigil to try for a week.  If that also works then we will fight my insurance company for that.

Just checking to see if anyone has tried the new medicine or the generic form.  Thanks

[Lulu54]

I've not been on provigil but if there is a generic version that has to be good news for the many people here who want to be on it but their insurance won't pay.  A generic form has to be so much more affordable if they have to pay for it themselves.  

Thanks for sharing this news.  Let us know how the generic works for you.

Lulu

[meg321]

I am sure my insurance will be all over that generic provigil..they hate covering for it now.  But we do need a generic, as long as it works as well.

I used to pay half of the cost, $250.00, until my plan changed and now I only pay $80.00.  Its their plan but some things don't go their way.

hugs, meg

[Lulu54]

I'm finally home and had to back up and do a bit of research on this one.....

Provigil's patent does not expire until 2011 (?)  - there will be no generic on the market for Provigil until after this date. Cephalon mfgs. Provigil.

Nuvigil is the NU version of Provigil that Cephalon has developed that will be protected under patent law from generic versions until 2023.  They are doing their best to geet Provigil users to switch to Nuvigil over the next few years, protecting their market share and their profits.

This is the same thing that was done with Ambien and countless other rx drugs.  A new pill, AmbienCR was developed and released and the patent clock was reset to zero.  The new sleep pill is really only a combination of two already existing drugs, but the mfg. promotes it as new and so much better for us.  As consumers we of course only want the best. :-)

It is unfortunately how our drug companies work.  They spend millions develping new drugs and expect to be handsomely rewarded by the profits forever by medical consumers becoming brand loyal to their drugs.

If you want to read more about this, go to google and type in nuvigil vs provigil.

my best,
Lulu

[ABJD]

I posted this elsewhere, but it fits under this heading, as well:

I have debilitating fatigue due to MS and have tried everything - Provigil, Amantadine, Adderall, Ritalin - the works.  While Provigil helped for some time while I was still working, that was many years ago and its effectiveness eventually petered out.  At the time, I was taking a very large dose in accordance to doctor's orders, and my side effects (heart palpitations, increased rate of speech, crashing, etc.) were quite bothersome.  However, because it was the only thing that worked for me after trying other options, I determined that the side effects were worth it.  After a long hiatus, I recently tried Provigil again.  While it worked better than the others, the results were unpredictable at best.  So, when Nuvigil hit the market, I asked my doctor for a script, and he provided me with some samples.  I have been taking the medication now for two months and have been thrilled with the results.  Not only am I able to get out of bed, but now I can leave the house and enjoy much of the day with substantially less fatigue.  Plus, I haven't experienced any of the extreme side effects that plagued me while I was using Provigil.  I understand the situation at Cephalon re the patent; however, based on my personal experience, the two medications are not identical.  Nuvigil is hands down the better drug, at least for me.  And even though I've been informed otherwise by my neurologist, I am hoping that the Nuvigil doesn't become less effective over time, as the Provigil seems to do.  (To attempt to counter such an issue, I skip a pill at least once/week, which, btw, is what I had done with the Provigil, too.)  While I'm a realist, thinking of going back to the way life had been before Nuvigil is scary.

I would love to hear about others' experiences with Nuvigil and am especially curious if they have been similar to my own.  

[MsWobbles]

I don't get it.  I asked a pharmacist about Nuvigil (because I love Provigil but have bad side effects from it so I can only take it once a week - but boy do I look forward to THAT day).  The pharmacist said they had essentially the same ingredient!  Placebo effect??

WAF

[FeatherFoot]

My experience pretty much mirrors yours.  The longer I was on Provigil the less effective it seemed.  Side effects weren't real wonderful either.  But Nuvigil is wonderful.  It last longer during the day and so far the side effects aren't nearly as bad as Provigil.  Whether my body gets too used to it remains to be seen, but for now, I like it much better.  My neurologist explained to me that it is pretty much the chemical mirror image of Provigil with a little tweaking.  I DO agree that they pronbably did it because the patent will run out in a couple of years (call me a skeptic), but it's our gain.  This version works so well.

[meg321]

Thats exactly what I was also told..

meg

[Fluffysmom]

My experience with Nuvigil:  

I got the free week's supply coupon from Cephalon.  When I got it filled, my pharmacist asked me why I was trying it when I'd had great results from Provigil.  I told him that I'd heard it would cost less, at least until Provigil's patent expired.  He checked for me, and said that it wasn't that much less; around $10 a pill instead of $12.

I said that every little bit helped!

My first day I took the full tablet, and had a very productive day, but had trouble sleeping that night, even with ambien and valium.  I also felt some palpitations, which I don't experience with Provigil.

The next day, I cut the Nuvigil in half.  It wasn't bad, but I started getting irritable, more palpitations, and still trouble sleeping.

The last day I tried a full tablet, having a very full day planned, and decided that Nuvigil was not for me.  The worst of the side effects were there, and I didn't enjoy my very full day.

I guess we all react differently to different medications.  I find that Provigil works best for me when I've had a full night's sleep and am not experiencing to strong of neurological symptoms.  If something has triggered my worst fatigue, not even Provigil helps much.

I'm down to my last six Provigil, and doubt that I can afford another Rx.  Even if I get diagnosed, my insurance doesn't cover Provigil; no studies show that it's beneficial in the treatment of MS.  Cephalon won't give it free unless you have the FDA approved diagnoses; Obstructive sleep apnea, shift worker sleep disorder, or narcolepsy, none of which I have.

I will miss the days of clarity and focus, the drive to get things done.  I will do what I can to carry on.  Caffeine makes my tremors very bad, Ritalin does that as well as give me tics, irritability, and other side effects that are unacceptable.  Adderall is too expensive, I'm told.  Sigh.

WAF, what I read about Provigil/Nuvigil;  Provigil is made up of two ingredients that work together.  Nuvigil isolates the one ingredient that lasts longer, so it does much of the same action as Provigis, since it is part of what Provigil is made of.  That's a simplification of what I read, but that gives you an idea.

Kind of like Phen/Fen, the diet medication that caused a lot of heart damage.  The Phentermine half of that drug doesn't do that damage, though it's not quite as effective as the combo, it does work well, because it's partially the same drug.

Anyway, good luck all with battling fatigue; I'll keep watching for more news!

Kathy

[PinkyNana]

Nuvigil is what has worked the very best for me!  An absolute God

send!  Unfortunately,

Medicare does not cover it and my out of pocket cost will be $400 for a

month's supply.  Too darn steep!  I'm hoping the pharmaceutical

company Cephalon will be able to provide assistance.  Provigil use to

give me dry mouth and nothing would make it go away.  I also use to

get headaches but Nuvigil fit me to a tee.  I'll keep praying for

assistance!  Hope this helps someone,.

[deeronpath]

heres the problem.. some insurance companys wont pay for nuvigil unless you have exhausted other meds first. be prepared to fight the ins co.

[CUSDH]

I have been taking Provigil for 11/2 yrears and thanks to wonderful doctors had it approved --- It take it for CVID and RA --- severe fatigue - I have fallen asleep at the wheel with my son briefly with my son -- people were telling me I was depressed --- kept saying I was fatigued --- two days on provigil changed my life! New insurance is denying it but I guess they will approve nuvigil -- so I am happy to try that to keep my life --- it literally gave me my life back to some degree --- I can actually get some things done in a day like a normal person!  I hope you are able to try it and have the same success!  Good luck!

[Janeyoctopus]

I have tried provigil on and off for years. No side effects. It did keep me from that feeling I couldnt wake up for any reason. No insurance complained but now suddenly, they said because I made a late insurance payment, Im being canceled. I believe they dont want to pay for my provigil. I had sent the payment to Aetna Tri Net Cobra and did it online instead of mailing it, had I mailed it, it would have been postmarked. I got very little mail for days after the Memorial Holiday. So my bank sent the check on June 2. I had no  clue, went to the doctors, got my refill for provigil, but couldnt afford to pick it up when they said we were denied coverage. Its a shame when Americans cant use the drugs they need. Is it all because of greed? I also need a surgery this month, they are going to cut into me to check the large flat polyp they removed. I supposed if it turned into cancer instead of precancer they were going to fix it. Somehow the insurance company must have been waiting for an opportune time to cancel me. The lady sounded nervous and accused me of sending extra checks every month, I knew she had me mixed up with someone who actually had two nickels to rub together. I made the mistake of being late she made a mistake of accusing me of sending money like it was a crime. The crime was she wasnt posting to the proper account Im sure. I bet she still has her job and insurance and here my mistake was very innocent. Be careful insurance companies are looking to dump us. I dont know what I can do until Im 65.  I need to be awake to work.

[SWA444]

I've been using Provigil for years, 600 mgs./day, for chronic fatigue related to myotonic dystrophy.  My neurologist suggested I try Nuvigili and gave me a month's worth.  What a difference!!  I stayed awake with the Provigil but still felt tired and sluggish.  With the Nuvigil I am alert, more upbeat, and more even throughout the day.  Medicare won't cover it, so my doctor is working on a prior authorization.  I can't bear the thought of going back to Provigil.  And yes, the drug companies are evil, uncaring, greedy organizations.  

SWA

[SWA444]

It's true that you have to take the Nuvigil EARLY in the day; I can always sleep, but not if I take Nuvigil late in the day.  Will try melotonin tonight.  I'm new to this -- sorry I posted my comment twice.  AND, I wanted to say that some serious advocacy is needed to help people with MS.  And though I think Nuvigil is the best, Provigil kept me awake in meetings...it was so hard fighting to stay awake!  Out on disability now, no more meetings...SWA444

[seanzybob]

I had issues with Provigil also. I stopped taking it everyday and took it twice a week..the next time I went to my doctor he told me that when you don't take it everyday it effects you worse..he said your body can't adjust to stopping and starting like that and it will make your fatigue worse.. Just in case as an FYI..I know it's  so hard because everyone's MS symptoms are so different and we all have very different but very real issues. Hope this might help and good luck..