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Alertec 200mg is the Canadian name for the drug Provigil, marketed by Shire Canada Inc, and manufactured by Cephalon Inc. It contains 200 mg of the active ingredient Modafinil per tablet and the effects are indistinguishable versus Provigil pills which are sold in the USA.
Alertec is a medication used as a wakefulness agents aimed at helping people with serious sleep issues to function normally throughout their working day. Some of these issues include narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome, and shift work sleep disorder.
While the above listed conditions are the only officially approved and prescribed uses for this drug, it is also used in a number of off label areas. Some doctors view Alertec 200 mg Modafinil capsules as one of the best and safest treatments for ADHD.
Other physicians may prescribe it for weight loss and as an adjunct therapy for depression or anxiety.
There are also many users who take Alertec as a “smart drug” or cognitive enhancer to improve their mental performance. This is especially popular among students who might take it to help them stay awake as they pull all night study sessions for exams.
Athletes will use the drug to give them an edge in sports and business people who travel the world often use it to combat jet lag and fatigue. Where can you buy Alertec in Canada and what are the rules for obtaining it without a prescription?
Alertness
Mental Acuity
Focus- Stimulates wakefulness in the brain
- Promotes mental acuity & processing
- Enhances focus, motivation & energy
The History of Modafinil
Related Topics
- What is Modafinil? (Provigil)
- How Does Provigil Work?
- Effects and Benefits
- User Reviews
- Typical Experiences
- Recommended Dosages
- How to Take
- Provigil Uses
- Use for ADHD
- Effects on Weight Loss
- Negative Side Effects
- Abuse Warnings & Dangers
- Comparison to Adrafinil
- Comparison to Armodafinil
- Comparison to Adderall
- Where to Buy
- Generic Modafinil Brands
- Is Modafinil Legal?
- How to Get Modafinil
- Review of Online Sources
Modafinil was first discovered by the neurophysiologist and experimental medicine researcher Michel Jouvet in 1976 in his work for the French pharmaceutical company Lafon Laboratories.
The discovery of Modafinil actually occurred because of testing on its prodrug, Adrafinil. Adrafinil is one of a group of benzhydryl sulfinyl compounds that was developed in 1974. Modafinil and Adrafinil share a high degree of molecular similarity, with the only difference in their structure being that Modafinil lacks a hydroxyl group that Adrafinil has.
Testing was done on Adrafinil to try and determine its mechanism of action in the body. Through this testing, Modafinil was discovered.
When ingested, Adrafinil is broken down in the liver into its component parts, modafinilic acid and Modafinil. It was determined that Modafinil is the primary active compound in Adrafinil, and is responsible for its effects in the body.
Lafon Laboratories was bought in 2001 by Cephalon Inc, who still make the most popular brand name versions of Modafinil – Provigil in the US and UK, Alertec in Canada, and Modavigil in Australia. Since 2011 Cephalon has been a subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries.
The Effects of Alertec in the Brain
Adrafinil and Modafinil are considered eugeroic compounds, or wakefulness promoting compounds. They promote alertness and reduce sleepiness, and have stimulant-like effects.
Many of the precise methods of action for this drug are still not fully understood. Given that, we do know that Modafinil affects a number of neurotransmitters, their neurons, and their transporters, including Dopamine, Epinephrine, Norepinephrine, Histamine, and Orexin (also called Hypocretin).
Primarily through effects on the neuropeptide Orexin, Modafinil has an effect on levels of the neurotransmitter Histamine in the brain and central nervous system. Modafinil strongly activates Orexin-secreting neurons.
This in turn stimulates the release of Histamine in the hypothalamus. Orexin and Histamine are involved in the regulation of wakefulness, arousal, and appetite, which explain Modafinil’s wakefulness promoting effects.
The specific part of the brain where this action occurs indicates that there is also some interaction with the mood-regulating neurotransmitter Dopamine. It inhibits the actions of the Dopamine transport system, which leads to an increase in Dopamine concentrations within the brain.
Dopamine is directly connected to executive function in the brain which has to do with the ability to focus and sustain attention, as well as motivation, drive, and goal-directed behavior.
Alertec 200 mg pills do have stimulant-like effects, but the actual mechanisms of action are different than most other common stimulants. This makes Modafinil/Provigl/Alertec different from drugs like Adderall and Ritalin which are forms of stimulants that can lead to side effects as well as abuse, addition and withdrawal.
This drug appears to activate Glutamate receptors in the brain while at the same time inhibiting GABA neurotransmission. There may also be some method of influence upon neural transmission through a variety of so-called gap connections.
- Increases energy, wakefulness and motivation
- Boosts mental performance and focus
- Supports memory and cognition
Prescribed Uses of Alertec 200mg Tablets
During its initial testing in animals, Modafinil was seen to have wakefulness promoting effects, causing increased locomotor motion and vigilance. Adrafinil previously had been seen to have these effects, and was first tested for human use as a treatment for narcolepsy. Modafinil was likewise first tested in humans for this purpose.
Narcolepsy is a neurological sleep disorder that affects the ability to maintain wakefulness. People with this condition experience excessive daytime sleepiness and typically fall asleep randomly multiple times per day without warning.
Alertec has been proven in multiple double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials to reduce excessive sleepiness and improve wakefulness in narcoleptics. Research has shown that compared to a placebo, Alertec significantly improves wakefulness as measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and reduces sleep episodes, as measured by the Maintenance of Wakefulness test, and the Multiple Sleep Latency test.
Modafinil has been approved as a prescription drug to treat narcolepsy in Canada and many other countries around the world. It has also been approved as a treatment for two other sleep disorders: shift-work sleep disorder and as an adjunct treatment for obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.
One primary benefit of this pharmaceutical is to help people stay awake and to remain functional and alert, despite being sleep deprived. This is especially helpful in people who suffer from shift-work sleep disorder.
This disorder causes excessive sleepiness when awake, and can cause insomnia when trying to sleep. Due to scheduling that forces them to work late night or overnight work shifts, some people develop this condition due to needing to be awake and working at night and sleeping during the day.
Obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome is a medical condition that causes either labored breathing (hypopnea) or the temporary cessation of breathing (apnea) while sleeping. Multiple breathing episodes can occur each hour at night, causing poor quality sleep and subsequent excessive daytime sleepiness.
Typical treatment for this condition (wearing a CPAP machine at night) normally improves excessive sleepiness, but sometimes residual sleepiness remains in some patients.
While the root cause of the excessive sleepiness in different in both conditions, in scientific studies, Alertec has been seen to significantly improve wakefulness and reduce sleepiness in people with either shift-work sleep disorder or obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.
Other Alertec 200mg Benefits
Other people have begun using this drug to help them reduce their need for sleep by about 2/3rds. Even the US Military has conducted experiments with Modafinil on their soldiers, who are better able to function in a sleep deprived state with this compound.
Alertec Modafinil is also demonstrated to broadly improve cognitive function, especially related to memory and reasoning. Evidence from clinical trials show it can improve reactive times, motivation, and vigilance as well as increase brain activity.
Modafinil can also reduce impulse responses, helping to eliminate impulsivity and hyperactive states in patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). There are also some studies indicating that Modafinil may have a positive effect on mood in individuals with depression, anxiety, and social anxiety.
Many users who purchase Modafinil tablets online may not in fact have a prescription for this drug. There is growing use of international pharmacies for ordering drugs like Alertec and generic Modafinil online.
If you live in Canada, this drug does require a prescription to purchase and use. Even if you were to order Alertec online from a website that does not require a prescription, when the drug is imported back to Canada it will likely be seized at the border. Importation of prescription drugs is not allowed in Canada by individuals (even with a prescription) and you could face penalties.
Adrafinil is a Modafinil alternative that has virtually identical effects and does not require a prescription in Canada, the USA, or the UK.
Alertec 200mg Dosage
Studies have determined that the most effective dosage for Modafinil pills is indeed 200mg. Some individuals may be able to achieve benefits with a 100mg dosage, but for the most part 200 mg is the commonly prescribe dose.
This means that most people will only need one pill a day (though there are some conditions for which 400 mg may work better). The best time to take Alertec is immediately in the morning before breakfast.
If you take it after 11 AM in the day, you may find it difficult to get to sleep before the 12-15 hour half-life wears off around 1 AM.
If you are using Modafinil for jet lag, it is best to take the dosage at approximately 8 AM in the morning according to the time zone your destination is in. Students will sometimes use Alertec later in the day if they are planning to pull an all-nighter, but this is not recommended on an on-going basis as the body needs sleep to recuperate and restore balance to the immune system.
Individuals who have been prescribed this drug for shift work sleep disorder should take Modafinil about one hour before starting work.
Side Effects of Alertec
Modafinil is generally well-tolerated and safe for most people, as long as taken as directed. There are some commonly reported mild side effects associated with Alertec usage though. These include:
- headaches
- upper respiratory infections
- diarrhea
- nausea
- nervousness or anxiety
- insomnia
- back pain
- dry mouth
- dry skin
Some people’s bodies need to adjust to taking a new medication, and may experience minor adverse effects when first taking Alertec. Typically in these types of situations, the effects subside in a couple weeks. Speak to your doctor if your side effects last longer.
Insomnia is a common side effect of Modafinil that typically is just caused by taking the drug at the wrong time in the day. As previously mentioned, Modafinil has a very long half-life and the effects are felt long after the drug is ingested.
It is recommended therefore that most people take their dosage in the morning to avoid sleep disturbances. If a dosage must be taken later in the day (to prolong effects, typically needed in severe sleep disorder cases), it is recommended not to take it any later than noon in most cases.
While Modafinil does not have the same degree of cardiovascular issues associated with it as traditional amphetamine-based stimulants, it can cause some issues, but they are normally rare and mild. In about 0.1% of all cases, users can see some elevation in blood pressure. A slightly larger, but still quite minimal amount of users (1% to 10%) have reported heart palpitations and some minor chest pain.
A rare, but very serious potential complication of Alertec 200mg usage is developing one of a set of skin disorders, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), or drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). Research has indicated that there may be a genetic predisposition in certain people that makes them more susceptible to developing one of these conditions when they take certain medications, including Alertec.
Symptoms can include a fever, flu-like symptoms, and a red or purple rash especially near the mouth, nose, eyes, and genitals, that spreads, and eventually blisters. It is important to stop usage of Modafinil immediately if you develop any of these symptoms, and to seek medical attention right away.
It is recommended that you always check with a physician before using Alertec 200mg Modafinil – even if you live in a country that does not require a prescription to purchase it.
Non-Prescription Alertec Alternatives
Because it is only available by prescription for certain uses, some people who are unable to be prescribed Alertec are interested in non-prescription alternatives.
As previously mentioned, Adrafinil is the prodrug of Modafinil, and converts into the active compound in the liver. Adrafinil takes a little while longer to become active, but then is said to have very similar effects to Modafinil.
There is a concern that Adrafinil may cause a build-up of hepatotoxic enzymes if it is used on a regular basis. Therefore, it is recommended that Adrafinil only be taken on an occasional basis, used specifically when needed for a mental boost for a big test or work presentation.
Another non-prescription nootropic alternative to Alertec is one of the Racetam compounds. This family of compounds are all based on the parent compound Piracetam, which is the first nootropic ever invented.
Piracetam was developed in the 1960s for Belgian pharmaceutical company UCB. In research studies, Piracetam has been seen to have positive effects on Acetylcholine in the brain and central nervous system, which can lead to increased general cognition as well as improved memory formation, retention, and recall.
The other Racetams are more powerful derivatives of their parent compound, and include Aniracetam, Oxiracetam, Phenylpiracetam, and Pramiracetam. Aniracetam and Oxiracetam are said to be between 3-6 times more potent than Piracetam, while Pramiracetam is about 30 times more powerful, and Phenypiracetam is said to be between 50-60 times more potent than Piracetam.
In addition to the effects on Acetylcholine, the derivatives of Piracetam also have some specialized effects of their own. For example Aniracetam is a better AMPA receptor agonist than Piracetam, and is said to have anxiolytic effects. Pramiracetam is specifically known for helping to increase mental energy levels, and for some people may be a good substitute for the effects of Alertec.
If you cannot get a prescription for Alertec and do not want to have to turn to the grey market of international online pharmacies, than consider trying one of these suggested Modafinil alternatives. They are all unregulated, unscheduled compounds that are legal to buy and own in the US and Canada, and are sold through many specialized online nootropic stores.
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Article last updated on: April 16th, 2018 by Nootriment