Loading…
We use essential cookies (authentication, your saved goals/stack) by default. With your permission we'll also enable privacy-respecting analytics (Vercel Web Analytics, anonymous load-time metrics) and error-replay diagnostics (Sentry — DOM snapshots only when an error fires) so we can fix bugs faster. Learn more about cookies
Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Caffeine wins 3 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
Verdict
Mostly mechanism / observational
Top outcomes
Verdict
Likely helps
29 of 35 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
Shared outcomes (1)
Outcomes where both Armodafinil (Nuvigil) and Caffeine have evidence — compare verdict strength side-by-side.
Approved dosing is 150–250 mg once daily in the morning for narcolepsy and OSA, or 150 mg taken ~1 hour before the start of a night shift for shift-work disorder. A prescription drug; off-label cognitive use is not an approved or standardized regimen.
morning
Oral tablet (armodafinil)
100-200mg
Morning, 30-60 minutes before exercise
Pill/capsule for precise dosing
Hours (per dose); weeks for steady benefit
Per dose (acute)
Acute / weeks
Throughout use
15-45 minutes
30-60 minutes
30-60 minutes
30-60 minutes
The efficacy and safety of armodafinil as treatment for adults with excessive sleepiness associated with narcolepsy.
Current medical research and opinion (2006) · Rct · n=196
Pivotal 12-week, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT in 196 narcolepsy patients (armodafinil 150 mg, 250 mg, or placebo once daily)
Effects of armodafinil in the treatment of residual excessive sleepiness associated with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome: a 12-week, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study in nCPAP-adherent adults.
Clinical therapeutics (2006) · Rct
12-week, 37-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT of armodafinil 150 or 250 mg as adjunct in nCPAP-adherent OSA/hypopnea patients with residual excessive sleepiness
Armodafinil for treatment of excessive sleepiness associated with shift work disorder: a randomized controlled study.
Mayo Clinic proceedings (2009) · Rct · n=254
12-week, 42-site, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT in 254 night-shift workers with moderate-or-greater shift work disorder (armodafinil 150 mg vs placebo before each shift)
Effect of Acute Caffeine Intake on the Fat Oxidation Rate during Exercise: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Nutrients (2020) · Meta analysis · n=2020
A subsequent meta-analysis was performed using the random effects model to calculate the standardized mean difference (SMD).
The effects of caffeine intake on weight loss: a systematic review and dos-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Critical reviews in food science and nutrition (2019) · Meta analysis · n=606
Thirteen RCTs with 606 participants were included in the meta-analyses.
Effect of Caffeine and Nitrates Combination on Exercise Performance, Heart Rate and Oxygen Uptake: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Nutrients (2024) · Meta analysis · n=95
The meta-analysis revealed that caffeine and nitrates supplementation (CAF+nitrates) did not enhance performance in time trials (TTs) over the CAF alone (g = -0.06; 95% CI = -0.46 to 0.35; p = 0.78) or nitrates alone (g = 0.29; 95% CI = -0.12 to 0.70; p = 0.17).
Based on multiple meta-analyses showing 3-6mg/kg optimal dosing. Performance benefits plateau around 200-300mg with increased jitteriness at higher doses.
AI-estimated from published studies. Interpret as directional guidance.
Caffeine has a higher evidence score (9.5/10 vs 5/10) and wins in 3 of 3 categories.
No known interactions between Armodafinil (Nuvigil) and Caffeine have been documented in our database. However, always consult a healthcare provider before combining supplements.