| Narcolepsy
Wakix vs Nuvigil
Side-by-side clinical, coverage, and cost comparison for narcolepsy.Deep comparison between: Wakix vs Nuvigil with Prescriber.AI
AI compares prescribing info and payer-specific access barriers across 1,200+ formularies. Here's a preview of what prescribers are already asking.Safety signalsNuvigil has a higher rate of injection site reactions vs Wakix based on FDA-approved prescribing information
Coverage gaps3 major payers require step therapy for Nuvigil but not Wakix, including UnitedHealthcare
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Category
Wakix
Nuvigil
At A Glance
Oral
Daily
H3 receptor antagonist/inverse agonist
Oral
Once daily
Wakefulness-promoting agent
Indications
- Narcolepsy
- Cataplexy
- Sleep Apnea, Obstructive
- Narcolepsy
- Shift work disorder
Dosing
Narcolepsy, Cataplexy (Adults) Initiate 8.9 mg orally once daily in the morning; increase to 17.8 mg at week 2; may increase to maximum 35.6 mg once daily at week 3.
Narcolepsy, Cataplexy (Pediatric, 6 years and older) Initiate 4.45 mg orally once daily in the morning; increase to 8.9 mg at week 2, 17.8 mg at week 3 (maximum for <40 kg); patients >=40 kg may increase to maximum 35.6 mg once daily at week 4.
Sleep Apnea, Obstructive, Narcolepsy 150 mg to 250 mg taken orally once daily as a single dose in the morning.
Shift work disorder 150 mg taken orally once daily as a single dose approximately 1 hour prior to the start of the work shift.
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to pitolisant or any component of the formulation
- Severe hepatic impairment
- Known hypersensitivity to modafinil or armodafinil or its inactive ingredients
Adverse Reactions
Most common (>=5%) Insomnia, nausea, anxiety (adults); headache, insomnia (pediatric)
Serious QT interval prolongation
Postmarketing Fatigue, anaphylaxis, weight increased, dizziness, epilepsy, abnormal behavior, depression, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, pruritus
Most common (>=5%) Headache, nausea, dizziness, insomnia
Serious Serious dermatologic reactions, DRESS/multiorgan hypersensitivity, angioedema and anaphylaxis, persistent sleepiness, psychiatric symptoms, cardiovascular events
Postmarketing Mouth sores (including mouth blistering and ulceration)
Pharmacology
Pitolisant acts as an antagonist/inverse agonist at histamine-3 (H3) receptors (Ki = 1 nM) with no appreciable binding to H1, H2, or H4 receptors; its precise mechanism in narcolepsy-associated EDS or cataplexy is unclear but is thought to be mediated through H3 receptor blockade.
Armodafinil is a wakefulness-promoting agent and indirect dopamine receptor agonist that binds to the dopamine transporter and inhibits dopamine reuptake, with wake-promoting actions similar to sympathomimetic agents, although its precise mechanism is unknown.
Enter your patient's insuranceCheck specific coverage details for your patient.
Most Common Insurance
Anthem BCBS
Wakix
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (10/12) · Step Therapy (10/12) · Qty limit (1/12)
Nuvigil
- Covered on 5 commercial plans
- PA (10/12) · Step Therapy (10/12) · Qty limit (10/12)
UnitedHealthcare
Wakix
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (5/8) · Step Therapy (4/8) · Qty limit (5/8)
Nuvigil
- Covered on 4 commercial plans
- PA (0/8) · Step Therapy (0/8) · Qty limit (0/8)
Humana
Wakix
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (3/3) · Step Therapy (2/3) · Qty limit (3/3)
Nuvigil
- Covered on 0 commercial plans
- PA (3/3) · Step Therapy (2/3) · Qty limit (3/3)
Coverage data sourced from MMIT. Updated monthly.
Savings
Cost estimate not availableAssistance Fund: Narcolepsy
Commercial or private insurance
Medicare, Medicaid, VA, TRICARE
No savings programs available for Nuvigil.
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Clinical data sourced from FDA-approved labeling. Coverage data via MMIT. Updated monthly.