Provigil is the brand name for the drug Modafinil manufactured by Cephalon and comes in tablets of 100 mg or 200 mg. The drug is a prescription medication for excessive sleepiness that comes with conditions like sleep apnea, narcolepsy or shift work disorder. Today it is used to treat many more conditions though it has not been actually approved for these uses.
Indications
The drug is approved for ES or excessive sleepiness but it is also prescribed for conditions like ADHD and the fatigue that very often accompanies conditions like depression and multiple sclerosis. Very often it is prescribed along with other drugs and is used as a pep pill to eliminate the sluggishness that comes with certain prescription drugs.
Action
Provigil seems to acts on the hypothalamus, stimulating it and making the person alert and awake while being calm, not excited. While it acts as a stimulant, it does not excite the central nervous system. Its action is being studied for use in the lethargy that people who have been substance abusers tend to experience. It acts as a mood improving and memory enhancing medication and is good for around 12 hours.
Side Effects
There are a few side effects that have been noted with this drug which can cause sores, rash or hives and even swelling because of an allergic reaction. This could turn serious so you need to talk to the doctor immediately as soon as any signs of any of these effects are noticed. There could also be headaches, insomnia, dizzy spells, upset tummy, nausea and vomiting, nervousness and anxiety, back pain or a stuffy nose. More serious conditions are hallucinations, suicidal thoughts and attempts, depressions, aggression and chest pain and in any of these cases, medical help will have to be sought at once.
Caution
There could be drug interactions and even though Provigil is usually prescribed in conjunction with other medication, you must tell your doctor about all the medication and supplements – even herbal – that you take for any ailment that you could be suffering from. Provigil must be taken under a doctor’s supervision and must not replace any medication that the doctor has given you, no matter how good it might make you feel. Because of its action on the brain and the mood, it could be a drug that could grow to one that the patient is dependent on or one that could be abused so caution should be exercised in this area.
Contraindications
Anyone who is allergic to this drug should of course, avoid it. It is also contraindicated in children, people who suffer from heart, kidney or liver ailments and women who are nursing or pregnant.