What is Modafinil?
Modafinil, also known as Provigil, is a medication used to treat sleepiness caused by narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, or obstructive sleep apnea.
While it has been used off-label as a purported cognitive enhancer, the research on its efficacy for this purpose is inconclusive.
What are the Uses of Modafinil?
- Modafinil decreases sleepiness caused by narcolepsy and other sleep disorders, such as periods of no breathing while sleeping (obstructive sleep apnea).
- It is also used to help you stay awake during the workday if your work schedule prevents you from having a regular sleep routine (shift work sleep disorder).
- This medication does not treat sleep disorders and may not eliminate your sleepiness. It is not a substitute for getting enough sleep.
- It should not be used to treat tiredness or to keep people from sleeping if they do not have a sleep disorder.
- It's unclear how this keeps you awake. It is thought to work by influencing certain brain chemicals.
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Get A Second OpinionHow to use Modafinil?
Read the Medication Guide:
Before using modafinil, read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Dosage for Narcolepsy:
Take orally with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily in the morning or divided into morning and noon doses.
Dosage for Obstructive Sleep Apnea:
Take orally with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily in the morning. Continue other treatments unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.
Dosage for Shift Work Sleep Disorder:
Take orally with or without food, as directed by your doctor, usually once a day, 1 hour before your work shift begins.
Regular Use:
Take it regularly to get the most benefit.
Withdrawal Symptoms:
If you stop taking it abruptly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as shaking, sweating, chills, nausea, vomiting, and confusion. To prevent withdrawal, your doctor might gradually decrease your dose.
Effectiveness:
If used for an extended period, it may lose effectiveness. Consult your doctor if it is no longer working properly.
Risk of Addiction:
Modafinil can sometimes lead to addiction, especially if you have a history of substance use disorder.
What are the Side effects of Modafinil?
What are the Precautions of Modafinil?
- Inform your doctor if you are allergic to this medicine or armodafinil or if you have any other allergies. This product might contain inactive ingredients that cause allergic reactions or other problems.
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist about your medical history, especially if you have heart problems after taking stimulant drugs like:
- Amphetamines (including chest pain and irregular heartbeat),
- High blood pressure
- Liver problems
- Mental/mood disorders
- Sleep problems can impair your ability to react quickly. Even if it helps you stay awake, you may not be able to do things that require quick reactions safely (such as driving). This medication may also cause dizziness. Alcohol can make you feel dizzy.
- If you are pregnant, notify your doctor. It is not recommended to be taken during pregnancy. This has the potential to harm an unborn child. Inquire about the risks and benefits of this medication right away.
- It is not known if this drug passes into breast milk or not. Consult before breast feeding your infant.
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Book an AppointmentWhat are the Interactions of Modafinil?
- Modafinil can accelerate the elimination of other medications from the body, which may affect their effectiveness.
- Some products contain ingredients that may cause your heart rate or blood pressure to rise.
- Inform your pharmacist about the medications you're taking and ask how to use them safely (especially cough-and-cold products or diet aids).
What actions should be taken if someone overdoses on Modafinil?
If someone has taken an overdose of this medicine and has serious symptoms such as trouble breathing, seek medical advice immediately. Never take more doses than what is prescribed to you by your doctor.
What Should One Do if Missed a Dose of Modafinil?
It is necessary to take each dose of this medication on time. If you forget a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible to arrange for a new dosing schedule. Do not double the dose.
Storage
The medicine should not come in direct contact with heat, air, or light and may damage your medicines. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and far away from children's reach.
Modafinil vs Armodafinil
| Modafinil | Armodafinil |
|---|---|
| Modafinil, also known as Provigil, is a medication used to treat sleepiness caused by narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, or obstructive sleep apnea. | Armodafinil promotes wakefulness |
| It decreases excessive sleepiness caused by narcolepsy and other sleep disorders, obstructive sleep apnea. | Armodafinil is used for treating problems related with sleep caused by narcolepsy (a condition that causes excessive daytime sleepiness) or shift work sleep disorder |
| It may work by increasing the amount of dopamine (a chemical neurotransmitter used by nerves to communicate with one another) in the brain while decreasing dopamine reuptake into nerves. | Armodafinil may be considered a stronger drug with better wakefulness effects in some cases. |
