Armodafinil

Chemical formula: C₁₅H₁₅NO₂S  Molecular mass: 273.35 g/mol  PubChem compound: 9690109

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Registry

There is a pregnancy exposure registry that monitors pregnancy outcomes in women exposed to armodafinil during pregnancy. Healthcare providers are encouraged to register pregnant patients, or pregnant women may enroll themselves in the registry by calling 1-866-404-4106.

Risk Summary

Limited available data on armodafinil use in pregnant women are insufficient to inform a drug associated risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Intrauterine growth restriction and spontaneous abortion have been reported in association with armodafinil and modafinil. Although the pharmacology of armodafinil is not identical to that of the sympathomimetic amines, armodafinil shares some pharmacologic properties with this class. Some sympathomimetics have been associated with intrauterine growth restriction and spontaneous abortions.

In animal reproduction studies of armodafinil (R-modafinil) and modafinil (a mixture of R- and S-modafinil) conducted in pregnant rats (armodafinil, modafinil) and rabbits (modafinil) during organogenesis, evidence of developmental toxicity (increased embryofetal and offspring mortality, decreased fetal growth) was observed at clinically relevant plasma exposures.

All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defects, loss, or other adverse outcomes. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2-4% and 15-20%, respectively.

Data

Animal Data

Oral administration of armodafinil (60, 200, or 600 mg/kg/day) to pregnant rats throughout organogenesis resulted in decreased fetal body weight and increased incidences of fetal variations indicative of growth delay at the highest dose, which was also maternally toxic. The highest no-effect dose for embryofetal developmental toxicity in rat (200 mg/kg/day) was associated with a plasma armodafinil exposure (AUC) less than that in humans at the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) of armodafinil (250 mg/day).

Modafinil (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg/day) administered orally to pregnant rats throughout organogenesis produced an increase in resorptions and an increased incidence of fetal variations at the highest dose tested. The higher no-effect dose for embryofetal developmental toxicity (100 mg/kg/day) was associated with a plasma armodafinil AUC less than that in humans at the MRHD of armodafinil. However, in a subsequent rat study of up to 480 mg/kg/day of modafinil, no adverse effects on embryofetal development were observed.

In a study in which modafinil (45, 90, or 180 mg/kg/day) was orally administered to pregnant rabbits during organogenesis, embryofetal death was increased at the highest dose. The highest no-effect dose for developmental toxicity (100 mg/kg/day) was associated with a plasma armodafinil AUC less than that in humans at the MRHD of armodafinil.

Modafinil administration to rats throughout gestation and lactation at oral doses of up to 200 mg/kg/day resulted in decreased viability in the offspring at doses greater than 20 mg/kg/day, a dose resulting in a plasma armodafinil AUC less than that in humans at the MRHD of armodafinil. No effects on postnatal developmental and neurobehavioral parameters were observed in surviving offspring.

Nursing mothers

Risk Summary

There are no data on the presence of armodafinil or its metabolites 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.

Carcinogenesis, mutagenesis and fertility

Carcinogenesis

In a mouse carcinogenicity study, armodafinil (R-modafinil) was administered at oral doses of up to 300 mg/kg/day in males and 100 mg/kg/day in females for approximately two years, no tumorigenic effects were observed.

In a rat carcinogenicity study modafinil (a mixture of R- and S-modafinil) was administered at oral doses of up to 60 mg/kg/day for two years; no tumorigenic effects were observed.

At the highest doses studied in mouse and rat, the plasma armodafinil exposures (AUC) were less than that in humans at the MRHD of armodafinil (250 mg/day).

Mutagenesis

Armodafinil was negative in an in vitro bacterial reverse mutation assay and in an in vitro chromosomal aberration assay in human lymphocytes.

Modafinil was negative in a series of in vitro (i.e., bacterial reverse mutation, mouse lymphoma tk, chromosomal aberration in human lymphocytes, cell transformation in BALB/3T3 mouse embryo cells) or in vivo (mouse bone marrow micronucleus) assays.

Impairment of Fertility

A fertility and early embryonic development (to implantation) study was not conducted with armodafinil alone.

Oral administration of modafinil (doses of up to 480 mg/kg/day) to male and female rats prior to and throughout mating, and continuing in females through day 7 of gestation produced an increase in the time to mate at the highest dose; no effects were observed on other fertility or reproductive parameters. The no-effect dose of 240 mg/kg/day was associated with a plasma armodafinil AUC less than that in humans at the MRHD of armodafinil.

Adverse reactions


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

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