Modafinil

Modafinil is prescribed medicine to “treat sleep problems” such as narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), and shift work sleep disorder (SWSD). It is also called a “Smart Pill”.

How to use Modafinil?

Take this smart pill with water. Stick to the instructions on the medicine label. Take your medication at regular times. Do not take your medication more frequently than prescribed. Do not stop taking it unless advised by your doctor.

The doctor will guide you with each prescription on how to take medicine. Make a habit of reading this material thoroughly each time.

Consult your doctor about the use of this medication in children. This medication is not intended for kids.

Precautions and care before taking Modafinil: 

Must know if you have any of the following conditions:

• History of depression
• Mania or another type of mental illness
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease

Allergies:

Inform your doctor if you have ever experienced an unusual or negative reaction to this or any other medications. if you have any other allergies, such as those to foods, colors, preservatives, or animals. When you purchasing non-prescription medicines, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric:

Proper investigations on the association of age with the effects of modafinil in children under the age of 17 have not been conducted. There is no evidence of safety or efficacy.

Geriatric:

Although relevant investigations on the relation of age to modafinil effects have not been conducted in the geriatric population, geriatric-specific difficulties are not predicted to impede modafinil’s usefulness in the elderly. However, aged adults may have slower clearance of modafinil from the body, which may require a dose change for modafinil users.

Breastfeeding:

There have been no good studies in women to determine baby risk when this medicine is used while breastfeeding. Before taking this drug during breastfeeding, weigh the potential advantages against the potential hazards.

Modafinil Dosage Guide:

Adult Dosage for Narcolepsy:

Once a day, take Modafinil 200mg orally in the morning.

Missed dose of Modafinil:

Tell your doctor about what to do if you miss a smart pill dose. If you do not intend to remain awake for several hours, do not take this medicine. If it is almost time for bed, skip the missed dose. Take no additional medication to make up for a missed dose.

Overdose:

If you believe you have taken too much of this medication, contact a poison control center or an emergency room immediately.

What should I avoid when using modafinil?

This smart pill may impair your ability to think or respond. Be cautious if you are driving or doing anything else that requires you to be aware.

Avoid engaging in other risky activities until you know how modafinil will effect your level of alertness.

While taking modafinil, avoid taking alcohol.

Modafinil Side effects

Modafinil medicine is treat sleeping issues and also has side effects following:

Common Side Effects:

• Fever sore throat
• Mood swings
• Tremors
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Nausea,
• Diarrhea
• Stomach discomfort
• Nervousness
• Having difficulty sleeping
• Allergic Side Effects:
• Skin rash,
• itching or hives,
• Swelling of the face, lips

Rare Serious Side Effects:

• Anxiety
• Breathing difficulties
• Chest discomfort
• Rapid and irregular pulse
• Hallucinations
• Elevated blood pressure

Drug Interaction:

Modafinil should not be used with any of the following medications:

• Dextroamphetamine or amphetamine
• methylphenidate vs. dexmethylphenidate

MAO Inhibitors are medications such as:

• Nardil,
• Parnate
• Marplan
• Eldepryl
• pemoline
• Procarbazine

Storage Instruction:

Keep out of children’s reach. This medication has the potential to be abused. Put your medicine in a secure location to avoid theft. Do not give this medication to anybody else. This drug is harmful and illegal to sell or give away.

If ingested by other adults, children, or pets, this medication may result in an accidental overdose and death. Combine any unneeded medication with anything like cat litter or coffee grounds. Next dispose of the medication in a tightly sealed container, such as a sealed bag or a coffee can with a lid. After the expiration date, do not use the medication.

Keep between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius at room temperature (68 and 77 degrees F).

What People Say about Modafinil:

1. Modafinil is the best option to improve wakefulness in patients with narcolepsy and OSA who have excessive sleepiness.
2. This medication does not cure the underlying blockage in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
3. If continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the therapy of choice for excessive sleepiness, a concerted effort should be made prior to and throughout treatment with this medicine to treat CPAP for an adequate duration of time.

Commonly Asked Questions

Q1) What does modafinil do?

Ans: “Modafinil treats narcolepsy (a condition that causes excessive daytime drowsiness) and shift work sleep disruption (sleepiness during scheduled waking hours and difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep during Sleeping hours in people who work at night or on rotating shifts).”

Q2) What are the risks of modafinil?

Ans: “Modafinil may side effects dizziness, drowsiness, difficulty thinking or controlling movements, and difficulty seeing clearly in certain people.” Make sure you understand how you will react to this medication before driving, operating machinery, or performing other tasks that require you to be alert, coordinated, or able to think or see clearly.

Q3) Is it safe to take modafinil on a daily basis?

Ans: Although the highest recommended daily dose of modafinil is 200mg, larger amounts have been utilized. Some patients may require a slightly larger dose than 400 mg to get sufficient sleep regulation (400 mg in the am and 200 mg in the early afternoon).

Q4) Does modafinil improve cognitive function?

Ans: The researchers discovered that the modafinil group scored much better on tests for episodic memory and working memory, based on both neurocognitive assessments and the participants’ subjective impressions throughout the experiment.

Q5) What benefits of Modafinil?

Ans: “Modafinil alleviates excessive sleepiness caused by narcolepsy and other sleep disorders, such as spells of no breathing while sleeping (obstructive sleep apnea).”