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Modafinil is a eugeroic or analeptic drug used to treat narcolepsy, excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia), shift-work disorder, jet lag and obstructive sleep apnea or hyponea.
This drug is marketed under different brand names around the world and you may find it sold as Provigil, Modalert, Modvigil, Modavigil, Alertec, Alertex, Modapro, Modiodal, Activigil, Vigil, Modasomil, Vigia, or Vigicer.
In addition to promoting wakefulness and alertness, Modafinil is known to improve mental performance, attention span, mood and vigilance. Modafinil causes similar effects to central nervous stimulants like Amphetamines but with a different mechanism of action that results in fewer negative side effects.
Medical experts view Modafinil as much safer with low risk of withdrawal, addiction or overdose. What should you know about the Modafinil drug before you start using it?
Alertness
Mental Acuity
Focus- Stimulates wakefulness in the brain
- Promotes mental acuity & processing
- Enhances focus, motivation & energy
Modafinil Drug Background
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 developed in 1976 by neurophysiologist and chemist Michel Jouvet for the French pharmaceutical company Cephalon (previously Lafon Laboratories). Its development occurred after the invention of a group of benzhydryl sulfinyl compounds, including Adrafinil.
Adrafinil is the prodrug of Modafinil. This means that in the body, during normal metabolization, Adrafinil is converted into Modafinil (as well as the inactive modafinilic acid). Adrafinil was first developed in 1974.
While it was being studied for its mechanism of action, it was found that the primary active component of Adrafinil was Modafinil. Two years later, Modafinil alone was developed, and has subsequently been used more frequently than its less potent prodrug.
The exact mode of action of Modafinil is still unknown. In a variety of research studies aimed at determining how this drug works in the body, it has been seen that Modafinil acts on many different neurotransmitters and their receptors, including Histamine, Epinephrine (Adrenaline), Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline), Dopamine, Serotonin, Orexin (Hypocretin), and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
In studies with Adrafinil and in early animal studies with Modafinil, the drug was seen to cause alertness and hyperactivity. Consequently, the first human trials looked at the use of the Modafinil drug for narcolepsy sleep disorder.
Narcolepsy is a sleep/wakefulness disorder where people experience excessive daytime sleepiness and may even fall asleep randomly and instantly throughout the day. In multiple double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials the Modafinil drug has been able to better decrease daytime sleepiness in people with narcolepsy compared to placebo without hindering nighttime sleep. Some research has suggested that a combination of Modafinil and another traditional narcolepsy drug sodium oxybate may be more effective than using either drug alone.
Modafinil is also commonly used for shift-work sleep disorder (sometimes just called shift work disorder), a condition with causes excessive daytime sleepiness in people with altered circadian rhythyms, typically due to working late/overnight or very long shifts.
Similarly to narcolepsy, in clinical trials Modafinil has been seen to improve daytime sleepiness in patients with shift work sleep disorder better than compared to a placebo. Some researchers have found that patients still reported some sleepiness experienced during the day, which led the reseachers to conclude that even more effective treatments are still needed.
Another sleep related disorder that Modafinil is commonly used for is obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). This medical condition occurs when the muscles of the mouth holding the tongue relax, causing the tongue and/or soft palate to block the airway either partially, causing shallow, labored breathing (hypopnea), or completely cutting off the airway, causing the temporary cessation of breathing (apnea).
Patients with sleep apnea often have interrupted, poor sleep, leading to daytime sleepiness. Modafinil is therefore used as an adjunct therapy to improve this symptom of sleep apnea. In research trials, Modafinil has been seen to significantly improve sleepiness and fatigue in patients compared to placebo.
- Increases energy, wakefulness and motivation
- Boosts mental performance and focus
- Supports memory and cognition
Modafinil Drug Prescriptions and Off-Label Uses
Modafinil has been approved for use as a prescription drug by the FDA in the USA. In many other countries around the world it is also used as prescription drug. Its on-label uses are for narcolepsy, shift-work sleep disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.
Modafinil has also been used off-label for reducing the fatigue associated with various other conditions, including depression, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and Parkinson’s disease. Some of the most common non-fatigue/sleepiness related off-label uses are taking Modafinil for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and as a general cognitive enhancer or nootropic.
The most commonly prescribed off-label use of Modafinil is for ADHD. A study comparing Modafinil and a conventional ADHD drug, dextroamphetamine, against a placebo found that both active drugs were able to improve scores on the DSM-IV ADHD Checklist.
This result led the researchers to conclude that Modafinil may be a viable alternative to traditional ADHD drugs. Multiple other studies have compared Modafinil to a placebo, and Modafinil has been seen to improve symptoms of ADHD better than the placebo.
Some doctors will even prescribe Modafinil to patients with ADHD, especially those who have had bad side effects from taking traditional stimulants like Ritalin and Adderall. These prescriptions are fully legal, but entirely up to individual doctor’s discretion and not all doctors feel comfortable prescribing medications off-label like this.
Some people will use Modafinil as a smart drug to improve cognitive function, although getting a prescription for this purpose is nearly impossible. Buying Modafinil without a doctor prescription is considered illegal, and buying from online pharmacies that do not require a prescription can be unsafe and result in getting impure or mislabeled products.
Modafinil alternatives (such as Adrafinil) that provide similar cognitive benefits exist and can be bought legally without a prescription.
Modafinil Drug Information
If your doctor has prescribed you with Modafinil, it is recommended to follow their instructions precisely as to how to take this drug. Your individual needs may be different from those of the general population. You can also speak to your physician or a pharmacist for personalized advice on how to use Modafinil.
According to Erowid, it is recommended to take this medication once a day in the morning, either with or without food; though in some cases you may be directed by your doctor to take it later in the day (such as for shift-work disorder). Using this drug too late in the day may result in insomnia or interruptions to your normal sleep patter.
The recommended dosage for Modafinil will be determined by your doctor based on your medical condition as well as sensitivity level. Typical doses range between 100 mg to 600 mg per day. Most people use 200 mg of the Modafinil drug a day and this is the pill size it is most commonly sold in.
Do not exceed the 200 mg dose unless a health care professional tells you otherwise. While Modafinil is considered to possess low toxicity, taking more than the suggested amount may result in more negative side effects.
Should you miss a dose of Modafinil and not remember it until later in the day, it is best to skip the missed dosage. Taking this medication later on in the day may lead to restlessness at night and insomnia. You can then take your next scheduled dose the following morning. You should not double up on dosages for this drug unless told to do so by your doctor.
Modafinil Drug Side Effects
The following mild side effects are all possible when using Modafinil. Speak to your doctor if any of these side effects occur on a regular basis or become difficult to mange:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Appetite Suppression
- Insomnia
- Restlessness or Nervousness
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Dry Mouth
- Increase in Pulse Rate
- Chills
- Dry Mouth
- Sore Throat
In rare situations or when used improperly, Modafinil may lead to more serious side effects, such as the skin conditions Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), or drug reaction eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS).
If any of the following symptoms occur, you should stop using this drug immediately and seek medical attention: allergic reaction, formation of a skin rash or itchy skin, irregular heart rate, and change in blood pressure or shortness of breath.
Due to the potential for dizziness, it is not recommended to operate heavy machinery when taking Modafinil.
Some individuals may experience Modafinil tolerance build-up or withdrawal when they stop taking this drug. Your doctor may advise you to slowly reduce the dosage over a period of time. In some individuals, Modafinil may be habit forming and you should make sure to speak to your doctor about using this drug properly to avoid any sort of addictive properties.
Who Should Avoid Modafinil?
Make sure that your doctor is aware of your full medical history before asking about Modafinil as certain pre-existing conditions could make this drug unsuitable for you.
This is particularly true for individuals who have a history of the following: chest pain, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attack, abuse of stimulants or illegal drugs, mental illness, kidney disease or liver disease.
Pregnant women should avoid Modafinil due to a lack of research on the effects of this drug on unborn baby. You should not take this drug if you are planning to get pregnant or could become pregnant while using it. It is also advised that breastfeeding mothers and individuals 65 years or older avoid this drug.
Modafinil Drug Interactions
Modafinil may interfere with other medications and you should not combine it without consulting with your doctor.
This drug is particularly known to interact with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAO Inhibitors) and antidepressants including isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil), clomipramine (Anafranil) or desipramine (Norpramin).
It should not be combined with central nervous system stimulants such as ADHD treatments like amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin, Methylin, Metadate ER, Concerta), pemoline (Cylert), and others.
Modafinil is also contraindicated for the following list of drugs and you should inform your doctor if you are taking any listed below: phenytoin (Dilantin); carbamazepine (Tegretol); phenobarbital; rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); ketoconazole (Nizoral); itraconazole (Sporanox); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); theophylline (Theolair, Theochron, Theo-Bid, Theo-Dur, Elixophyllin, Slo-Phyllin, and others); warfarin (Coumadin); diazepam (Valium); or propranolol (Inderal).
This is not a complete list and other drugs may also interact with Modafinil. Using one of these substances may preclude you from being able to use Modafinil as a prescription drug or it may mean that your dosages need to be adjusted or other precautions should be taken.
It is also recommended to mention to your doctor any additional supplements, over the counter medications or health products you may intend to use with this drug. Caffeine-containing products like coffee or soft drinks and cold medicines with pseudoephedrine should be avoided due to potential overstimulation.
Modafinil may also compromise the efficacy of certain forms of birth control and you may want to talk to your doctor about suitable alternatives.
Being aware of the right way to use the Modafinil drug will ensure that you reap full benefits while avoiding potential negative side effects.
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Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment