5.1 Serious Dermatologic Reactions, including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome and Toxic Epidermal Necrosis
Serious rash requiring hospitalization and discontinuation of treatment has been reported in association with the use of armodafinil or modafinil (the racemic mixture of S- and R-enantiomers).
Armodafinil 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) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)]. 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 armodafinil 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 postmarketing experience with modafinil and armodafinil.
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 armodafinil. 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 armodafinil, it is not possible to reliably predict which rashes will prove to be serious. Accordingly, armodafinil 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
DRESS, also known as multi-organ hypersensitivity, has been reported with armodafinil. 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 armodafinil treatment has been reported in the postmarketing setting. In addition, multi-organ hypersensitivity reactions, including at least one fatality in postmarketing 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, armodafinil 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.
5.3 Angioedema and Anaphylaxis Reactions
Angioedema and hypersensitivity (with rash, dysphagia, and bronchospasm), were observed with armodafinil. Patients should be advised to discontinue therapy and immediately report to their physician any signs or symptoms suggesting angioedema or anaphylaxis (e.g., swelling of face, eyes, lips, tongue or larynx; difficulty in swallowing or breathing; hoarseness).
5.4 Persistent Sleepiness
Patients with abnormal levels of sleepiness who take armodafinil should be advised that their level of wakefulness may not return to normal. Patients with excessive sleepiness, including those taking armodafinil, should be frequently reassessed for their degree of sleepiness and, if appropriate, advised to avoid driving or any other potentially dangerous activity. Prescribers should also be aware that patients may not acknowledge sleepiness or drowsiness until directly questioned about drowsiness or sleepiness during specific activities.
5.5 Psychiatric Symptoms
In pre-approval narcolepsy, OSA and SWD controlled trials of armodafinil, anxiety, agitation, nervousness, and irritability were reasons for treatment discontinuation more often in patients on armodafinil compared to placebo (armodafinil 1.2% and placebo 0.3%). Depression was also a reason for treatment discontinuation more often in patients on armodafinil compared to placebo (armodafinil 0.6% and placebo 0.2%). Cases of suicidal ideation were observed in clinical trials.
Caution should be exercised when armodafinil is given to patients with a history of psychosis, depression, or mania. If psychiatric symptoms develop in association with armodafinil administration, consider discontinuing armodafinil.
Psychiatric adverse reactions have been reported in patients treated with modafinil. Modafinil and armodafinil are very closely related. Therefore, the incidence and type of psychiatric symptoms associated with armodafinil are expected to be similar to the incidence and type of these events with modafinil.
Postmarketing adverse reactions associated with the use of armodafinil, 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 armodafinil total daily doses ranged from 50 mg to 450 mg, which includes doses below and above the recommended dosages.
5.6 Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machinery
Although armodafinil has not been shown to produce functional impairment, any drug affecting the central nervous system (CNS) may alter judgment, thinking or motor skills. Patients should be cautioned about operating an automobile or other hazardous machinery until it is reasonably certain that armodafinil therapy will not adversely affect their ability to engage in such activities.
5.7 Cardiovascular Events
In clinical studies of modafinil, cardiovascular adverse reactions, including chest pain, palpitations, dyspnea and transient ischemic T-wave changes on ECG were observed in three subjects in association with mitral valve prolapse or left ventricular hypertrophy. It is recommended that armodafinil tablets not be used in patients with a history of left ventricular hypertrophy or in patients with mitral valve prolapse who have experienced the mitral valve prolapse syndrome when previously receiving CNS stimulants. Findings suggestive of mitral valve prolapse syndrome include but are not limited to ischemic ECG changes, chest pain, or arrhythmia. If new onset of any of these findings occurs, consider cardiac evaluation.
Blood pressure monitoring in short term (≤3 months) pre-approval controlled trials of OSA, SWD, and narcolepsy showed small average increases in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients receiving armodafinil as compared to placebo (1.2 to 4.3 mmHg in the various experimental groups). There was also a slightly greater proportion of patients on armodafinil requiring new or increased use of antihypertensive medications (2.9%) compared to patients on placebo (1.8%). There was a small, but consistent, average increase in pulse rate over placebo in pre-approval controlled trials. This increase varied from 0.9 to 3.5 BPM. Increased monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure may be appropriate in patients on armodafinil. Caution should be exercised when prescribing armodafinil to patients with known cardiovascular disease.
