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Vigicer is the Argentinean trade name for Modafinil, a drug used to treat people diagnosed with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea and sometimes shift-worker sleep disorder.
Modafinil is sold worldwide under a variety of brand names and, since 2012, it is also available in generic form. In Argentina, Vigicer is manufactured and distributed by the pharmaceutical company, Beta Laboratorios.
Other countries in South America may also have access to Modafinil under the brand name Vigicer, but it is not sold elsewhere. Vigicer is also popular for non-medicinal purposes and is said to increase ambitious drive, goal-oriented behaviors, executive planning, concentration and cognitive abilities.
Alertness
Mental Acuity
Focus- Stimulates wakefulness in the brain
- Promotes mental acuity & processing
- Enhances focus, motivation & energy
Vigicer Effects
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
The drug Modafinil (Vigicer) has gained attention over the last few years because of its ability to produce an intense state of awakeness and mental alertness in the user.
While it works in the brains of those with narcolepsy to keep them from falling asleep without warning, it works in normal brains as a subtle yet very effective psychostimulant.
In the smart-drug community, it continues to gain popularity because it works to stimulate mental activity without causing the body stimulation so often experienced with classic psychostimulants like Ritalin, Adderall or Dextroamphetamine.
The difference lies in the way Modafinil works on certain brain processes. Most psychostimulants work by increasing the release of dopamine into the synapses while simultaneously inhibiting its re-uptake (prevent it from being recycled) by blocking the transporter. This causes an increased intensity of psychostimulation.
Vigicer (Modafinil) works on the Dopamine system, as well, by inhibiting the re-uptake action of the Dopamine transporter. This leads to an increase in extracellular and synaptic concentrations of Dopamine.
At the same time, it is thought to activate glutamatergic circuits while inhibiting GABAergic neurotransmission. GABA is an important neurotransmitter whose function is to decrease neuron activity and inhibit nerve cells from overfiring and becoming overexcited.
The key difference is that drugs like Adderall will burn through your neurotransmitter supplies faster without replenishing them so you inevitably will see your energy levels crash.
Modafinil is different and makes your brain use more of the neurotransmitters that would naturally be released, creating a more consistent energy boost.
One leading theory on how Modafinil has a wakefulness promoting effect in the brain is through its effects on the neuropeptide Orexin (also called Hypocretin) and the neurotransmitter Histamine. Both of these compounds are involved in maintenance of wakefulness, arousal, and appetite.
Modafinil has been seen to strongly activate Orexin-secreting neurons, allowing for more of this compound to be released in the hypothalamus. This Orexin in turn stimulates the release of Histamine, and both together create stimulating effects that promote alertness and mental energy.
Vigicer for Sleep Disorders
Modafinil was first tested on animals and seen to increase locomotion and alertness, even causing hyperactivity in higher dosages. Because of these wakefulness promoting, stimulating effects, the first human trials were using the drug as a treatment for narcolepsy.
Narcolepsy is sleep disorder that is neurological in origin. It is believed that narcolepsy may be caused by a decreased number of Orexin producing neurons in the brain, which leads to disruptions of sleep and wake state regulation. People with this disorder experience excessive daytime sleepiness that is not related to poor sleep quality at night, and can fall asleep randomly many times per day with no warning.
After successfully being shown to reduce excessive sleepiness and improve wakefulness in narcoleptics compared to a placebo in many different double-blind placebo-controlled research studies, Modafinil was approved as a prescription treatment for narcolepsy.
Vigicer has also subsequently been approved for some other serious sleep disorders that involve excessive sleepiness, namely shift-work sleep disorder and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome. In some countries it has also been approved to treat hypersomnia, a condition similar to narcolepsy, but often less severe, that causes excessive sleepiness and random sleeping episodes.
Vigicer has been seen to improve work performance and reduce lapses in attention when given to people with shift-work sleep disorder between 30-60 minutes before a work shift at night.
In people with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome that are being treated with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, but still experience residual sleepiness during the day, Modafinil had been observed to significantly improve scores on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the Multiple Sleep Latency test.
Off-Label Modafinil Use for ADHD
Any use of Vigicer that is not an approved use is technically considered an off-label use. One of the most popular off-label uses of Vigicer that is sometimes prescribed for by doctors is to manage the symptoms of attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Many different studies have shown that Modafinil is significantly better than a placebo at improving scores on a variety of tests of ADHD symptoms, including the Conners Rating Scales, the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale, the ADHD Rating Scale-IV School and Home Versions, and the DSM-IV Behavior Checklist.
When Modafinil was tested against a traditional ADHD medication, dextroamphetamine, it was seen that both drugs similarly improved scores on the DSM-IV Behavior Checklist for Adults. It was suggested that Modafinil should be considered a suitable substitute for amphetamine based ADHD medications.
The writing of off-label prescriptions is entirely legal, and up to the individual discretion of each doctor. Many doctors are unwilling to write off-label prescriptions for Modafinil, as they fear being watched by medical boards for using drugs in ways that they are not approved.
However, some doctors who have done their research and know the benefits of Modafinil for conditions like ADHD are willing to write prescriptions to their patients, especially in situations where traditional treatments have not worked as wanted, or have caused serious side effects (e.g. cardiovascular issues from amphetamine based drugs).
- Increases energy, wakefulness and motivation
- Boosts mental performance and focus
- Supports memory and cognition
Nootropic Benefits
The effects of Vigicer described as providing a deep sense of wakefulness and mental acuity. Many users report they feel more motivation to tackle and complete projects, some of which they have been putting off for a long time.
Students studying especially dense texts for long hours report feeling clearheaded and able to absorb and recall information more readily. Some users say they find themselves tackling household chores they had on their lists for months while others are able to get through their work a lot faster.
While it isn’t recommended to remain continuously awake for any extended period of time, the drug can help with temporary fatigue if you are working late into the night or cramming before an exam.
Many users suggest having a plan of action in place before taking the drug because your focus factor can become very enhanced. Some users say if they have no plan, they find themselves focusing intensely on whatever they are doing (like playing games or surfing the web) and not using their time constructively.
Vigicer also has the effect of making you somewhat oblivious to the passing of time so you may find yourself working for extremely long durations without noticing.
Side Effects
While Vigicer is generally well tolerated, there are a number of minor side effects to be aware of. The most commonly reported minor side effects from research studies and user reports include:
- headaches
- nasuea
- nervousness or anxiety
- back pain
- heartburn
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- dry mouth
- dry skin
- insomnia
Some side effects may occur when first taking Vigicer, but these typically subside after a few weeks as your body adjusts. Side effects that last longer are not considered typical, and should be addressed with your doctor.
Some people need to take a lower dosage than they typically recommended dosage to help their side effects subside. After a few weeks at a lower dosage with no side effects, the dosage can be slowly increased over at least a week back to the normal dosage, keeping track of the reoccurrence of any adverse reactions.
Insomnia is typically caused by taking Vigicer at the wrong time. It has stimulating, wakefulness promoting effects, and can interfere with normal sleep if taken too late in the day. It is recommended to take Vigicer in the morning before noon to avoid sleep disturbances.
While very rare, there is the possibility of developing a skin reaction including Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN). It is thought that some people are genetically predisposed to have a higher risk of developing these conditions when taking certain medications, including Vigicer.
Stop taking Vigicer and speak with your doctor immediately if you develop a fever and a spreading rash that blisters.
Where Can I Get Vigicer?
Unfortunately, Vigicer and all other Modafinil brands are regulated medications in most countries. In the United States, Modafinil is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a Schedule IV drug. This means you will need a prescription from your doctor in order to buy or use it.
Some doctors are familiar with the off-label uses of Vigicer and may be able to work with a patient, but in many cases, unless you have narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome, or shift-worker sleep disorder, it may be difficult to get a prescription for the drug.
There is a growing trend of doctors prescribing Vigicer or other brands of Modafinil instead of Adderall for ADHD and ADD, but you will need to speak to a doctor familiar with this use to get a prescription.
Because many people want to use Modafinil as a nootropic smart drug, they very rarely are able to get a prescription. Some people will then turn to the online gray market to buy Vigicer and other Modafinil brands without a prescription. India and Mexico sell Modafinil as an over the counter drug, and will sell it online to be exported around the world.
However, there are a number of problems with buying from these international online pharmacies. The first is that the quality and purity of these compounds is often unknown.
There are typically no strict GMP regulations in place at manufacturing facilities, or quality assurance checks done by the distributors. Certificantes of Analysis are more often than not unavailable, or only available from a few batches, and not every single batch.
While the products you receive may actually be Modafinil, it can be difficult to confirm without getting a laboratory analysis, which would need to be done for every batch – an unfeasible task to complete each time you get new product.
The second big issue surrounds the issue of even getting your shipment. Because customs officials are trained to look for packages that may contain prescription drugs coming from known sources (including India, China, and Mexico), there is a possibility that your package may be seized.
If you are unable to produce a doctor’s prescription, then you will not get your shipment, and could even be placed on a DEA watchlist. Because of these issues, some people choose to forgo trying to buy Modafinil at all, and will instead buy a non-prescription alternative, such as Adrafinil or one of the Racetams.
Are There Non-Prescription Alternatives?
Since it can be difficult to buy Vigicer legally, many people turn to legal non-prescription alternatives instead. One of the most common substititues is a drug called Adrafinil which is the prodrug of Modafinil.
When Adrafinil is ingested, it is broken down into its component parts, modafinilic acid and Modafinil. The primary active ingredient in Adrafinil is Modafinil.
Because Modafinil is the metabolite of this drug, the dosage needed to achieve the effects is a bit higher when taking Adrafinil. For example, a single dose of Vigicer is often 100mg, whereas a single dose of Adrafinil is between 150mg-300mg.
Adrafinil is metabolized in the liver and continuous use of the drug may cause a buildup of toxic liver enzymes, which could cause liver damage. Therefore, it is not recommended to use Adrafinil as part of a daily stack regimen, but instead to be used for those occasions when you know you will need the extra boost it can provide.
Adrafinil takes about an hour to process through the body, so the effects will not be experienced until after that time. However, after this short wait time to allow the drug to be broken down in the liver, the effects of Adrafinil are said to be very similar to taking Modafinil directly.
Vigicer, on the other hand only requires about 20 minutes to be effective but it can be significantly more expensive compared to Adrafinil powder, as well as much harder to obtain legally.
Another Vigicer alternative that some people use is one or a few of the Racetam class of nootropics. Piracetam is considered to the first nootropic ever developed. It was first discovered in the 1960s and has been studied extensively since that time.
Piracetam has been observed to have positive effects on the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine in the brain. Increased levels of Acetylcholine can improve overall cognition, as well as enhance memory.
Since the development of Piracetam, more potent derivatives have been developed, each stronger than the last. Some of these derivatives include Aniracetam and Oxiracetam (both about 3-6 times more potent than Piracetam), as well as Pramiracetam and Phenylpiracetam – the former 30 times as potent, and the latter between 50-60 times as potent as their parent compound, Piracetam.
Adrafinil and the Racetams are considered unscheduled, unregulated compounds in the United States and many other countries. They are legal to buy, own, and use. The sale of unregulated compounds is partially restricted in the US, so it can sometimes be difficult to find vendors who sell them domestically. However, there are a number of specialized online nootropic stores that stock these products.
Final Thoughts on Vigicer
Vigicer is the brand name for Modafinil in Argentina. It is the same drug as Provigil, Alertec or Modavigil being sold in other countries. In the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, and many other countries around the world, a prescription is needed to use or buy Vigicer.
A viable alternative to help with those special occasions when you need additional fatigue-busting power is Adrafinil, which is the precursor to Modafinil, or one of the more potent Racetam nootropics.
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Article last updated on: April 11th, 2018 by Nootriment
3 Comments
I don’t agree with your stated mechanism of action, I’m pretty sure the main effects are from hystaminergic actions.
Hi Zeke,
Thanks for your comment! The mechanism of action for Vigicer is still a matter of debate – here is a research article on this subject: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2654794/
“Most research on modafinil’s wake-promoting mechanism has focused on monoaminergic effects showing modafinil stimulates histamine (HA), norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and orexin systems in the brain, but researchers have not been able to isolate a single site of action or locate major receptor binding”
Vigicer me lo recomendó un medico neurologo, debido a que tenía una fatiga muy acentuada, estaba durmiendo 12 o 14 hs por día (tengo 75 años) y me costaba horrores levantarme, desde hace unos 5 días estoy tomando éste medicamento y es increíble el cambio lo tomo solamente 1 pastilla por la mañana y me siento fabuloso, con ganas de levantarme y de hacer cosas en la casa, el jardín, salir a pasear, que antes me resultaba imposible hacerlo, lástima no haberlo sabido hace un par de años atras,tenía miedo a tomarlo porque tengo un reemplazo de Válvula Mitral Mecánica, pero ésto es fabuloso, me cambió la vida completamente ahora me siento un hombre nuevo (debido a como me sentía, llegue incluso a pensar seriamente en el suicidio), y desaparecieron también esos síntomas Gracias, Muchas Gracias VIGICER