About Provigil
This Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant is prescribed for narcolepsy,
and prevents sufferers from falling asleep during the day. The method
of action is unclear. This medication only works as long as you
take it. Provigil is not a cure for any condition.
There is some mild risk of psychological dependence with this medication.
Never change or increase your dose without the advice of your doctor.
Individuals with a history of addictive behavior should be cautious
with its use. No symptoms of physical withdrawal have been observed
with this medication.
Provigil is only available by prescription, do not use with either
sedatives or other stimulants. Provigil Side Effects
Mild Side Effects: Anxiety, decreased appetite, diarrhea,
dry mouth or skin, flushing or red skin, headache, insomnia, muscle
stiffness, nausea or vomiting, nervousness, rhinitis (runny or stuffy
nose), shaking, tingling or burning sensations in the skin, trembling.
These effects usually are minor, and tend to go away over time.
Speak to your doctor if they should continue, or are bothersome.
Adverse Side Effects: Altered or blurred vision, chills
or fever, clumsiness or unsteadiness, confusion, depression, difficulty
urinating, dizziness or fainting, increased thirst and urination,
memory problems, mood swings, shortness of breath, sore throat,
uncontrolled movements of the face or mouth. These conditions should
be reported to your doctor, as they may indicate the need for medical
treatment.
Overdose: Signs of overdose include high blood pressure,
pounding or racing heartbeat, severe insomnia, or uncontrollable
agitation or excitement. In an overdose situation, these symptoms
would be severe and several will probably occur together. If you,
or someone in your household, takes a larger than prescribed dose,
seek immediate medical treatment.
Cautions: Provigil may not be a suitable treatment for all
individuals, and others may require precautions to ensure safe and
effective treatment. Speak to your doctor regarding a history of
any of the following conditions.
- Allergies - An allergic reaction to a stimulant medication
in the past should be discussed with your doctor. If you have
an allergic reaction to Provigil, you should discontinue treatment
as soon as your doctor rules out other causes.
- Asthma - This medication may react with various asthma
medications, causing unacceptable levels of CNS stimulation. Speak
with your doctor regarding the safety of combining treatments.
- Heart problems - Heart disease, a recent heart attack,
mitral valve prolapse, or any other heart condition are urged
to consult their doctor before using this medication. Provigil
may be an unsuitable or dangerous treatment for you.
- High Blood Pressure - There has been inadequate study
on how this condition would be effected.
- Kidney Disease - It's unclear whether or not problems
will result in this case.
- Liver Disease - Higher blood levels and an increased
risk of side effects are possible, a lower dose is recommended.
- Mental Illness (Severe) - Provigil may worsen these conditions,
or bring on a relapse if they are presently under control.
Provigil Interactions
Provigil (modafinil) may not mix well with all prescription or
over the counter treatments. While some medications should not be
mixed at all, with others, your doctor may advise you to adjust
the dosage or schedule of one of the medications in order to reduce
the likelihood of interaction. While you are taking Provigil, contact
your doctor regarding any over the counter or herbal preparation
you feel you need.
This medication is a Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant, and
should not generally be mixed with other treatments whose side effects
may include racing or irregular heartbeat, insomnia, irritability,
or nervousness.
- Alcohol - This interaction has been insufficiently studied.
Avoid alcohol during treatment, as unpredictable side effects
may occur.
- Amphetamines - Stimulants of this class may cause unacceptable
CNS stimulation when mixed with modafinil. There may be severe
interaction effects including insomnia, irregular heartbeat, irritability,
nervousness, or racing heartbeat.
- Anticonvulsants - Medications like Cerebyx (fosphenytoin), Dilantin
(phenytoin), Mesantoin (mephenytoin), or Phenobarbitol may require
dosage adjustments.
- Asthma medication - Possible risk of severe interaction effects
including insomnia, irregular heartbeat, irritability, nervousness,
racing heartbeat, or seizure.
- Birth Control (oral contraceptives, contraceptive implants)
- Hormone treatments designed to prevent pregnancy may become
less effective in combination with this medication. Use an additional
form of contraception (condom, spermicidal jelly, sponge, cervical
cap) during intercourse while taking this medication, and for
another month after modafinil treatment ends.
- Caffeine - Increased risk of racing heartbeat, nervousness,
or other undesirable side effects.
- Cesamet (nabilone)
- Cocaine - May dangerously overstimulate the nervous system,
do not combine. Avoid taking all street drugs while using modafinil,
as the results could be dangerous or life-threatening.
- Cold medication - Possible risk of severe interaction effects
including insomnia, irregular heartbeat, irritability, nervousness,
or racing heartbeat.
- Coumadin (warfarin) - Dosage adjustments may be necessary.
- Cylert (pemoline) - May overstimulate the nervous system.
- Diet pills - This drug combination could be dangerous, avoid
stimulant diet pills like Meridia
(sibutramine) while undergoing treatment with modafinil. Do
not use herbal diet preparations, as they are likely to contain
one or more stimulants.
- Inderal (propranolol)
- Dosage adjustments may be necessary.
- MAO inhibitors - Modafinil must never be mixed with MAO (monoamine
oxidase) inhibitors, a class of antidepressants and antisenility
drugs, such as Eldepryl (selegiline), Furoxone (furazolidone),
Nardil (phenelzine), Marplan (isocarboxazid), or Parnate (tranylcypromine).
These medications react badly with certain similar drugs, and
have not been adequately tested in combination with modafinil.
Avoid using modafinil within two weeks of an MAO inhibitor.
- Ritalin (methylphenidate)
- May increase CNS stimulant effects like insomnia or nervousness.
- Sandimmune (cyclosporine) - Dosage may need adjustment.
- Street drugs - Be particularly careful not to use modafinil
with cocaine, amphetamines (speed), or PCP, as these drugs are
powerful stimulants. Serious or fatal heart complications could
result from a combination. Individuals should avoid mixing street
drugs with all prescription treatments, as the interactions are
rarely adequately studied, and could be very dangerous.
- Symmetrel (amantadine) - Can increase CNS stimulation.
- Tegretol (carbamazepine) - Consult your doctor.
- Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil
(amitriptyline), Asendin (amoxapine), Anafranil (clomipramine),
Pertofrane or Norpramin (desipramine), Sinequan
(doxepin), Tofranil (imipramine), Aventyl or Pamelor (nortriptyline),
Vivactil (protriptyline), and Surmontil (trimipramine), may build
up in the body when used with modafinil. Undesirable side effects,
such as increased blood pressure, could result.
- Ulone (chlophedianol) - May overstimulate the nervous system.
- Valium (diazepam) - Dosage
adjustments may be necessary.
- Wellbutrin/Zyban (bupropion)
- May increase risk of serious side effects such as irregular
heartbeat, or other overstimulation of the circulatory system.
Provigil Dosages
Modafinil is available under the brand name Provigil in 100 mg
and 200 mg tablets.
The standard dose is 200 mg, taken once daily in the morning. Individuals
with impaired kidney or liver function, or who are otherwise highly
sensitive to stimulants, may be prescribed a dose of 100 mg. If
the directions you receive from your doctor are different, follow
them exactly.
Provigil Directions
This medication is usually taken once daily in the morning, ask
your doctor if they wish you to follow any additional instructions
regarding your schedule and the manner of use.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible if you remember
before noon. Taking your medication any later in the day can increase
the likelihood of insomnia. If you miss skip a dose, resume your
regular dosing schedule, ignoring the missed dose. Do not take double
doses of this medication.
If insomnia results from taking this medication, speak to
your doctor about adjusting your dosage or medication schedule.
Store Provigil away from direct light and heat. Store in a dry location;
avoid storing it in the bathroom, near sinks, or other areas where
it may become damp. Do not use after the expiration date.
Keep Provigil away from children; both when storing it, and when
discarding any unused medication. If the prescription is for a child, carefully supervise its use.
Provigil and Pregnancy
This medication has not been shown to be harmful in pregnancy or
breastfeeding, but it has not been adequately studied and the possibility
of harm cannot be ruled out. If you are pregnant, planning to become
pregnant, or breastfeeding, your doctor will likely suggest discontinuation
of treatment with Provigil.
The effectiveness of contraceptive medications (oral contraceptives,
implants) is reduced by Provigil treatment. Additional birth control
methods are recommended (condom, spermicidal jelly, sponge, cervical
cap) during intercourse while taking this medication. These effects
may persist for up to a month after treatment stops, so continue
to use additional contraception for that much longer. Again, if
you are planning to become pregnant, your doctor may suggest that
you suspend treatment.
Provigil and Children
Individuals under 16 should not take this medication. Those 16
and older will probably take the adult dosage, but each person should
have their dose individually determined by their doctor.
Narcolepsy usually sets in most strongly in adulthood, with some
individuals not experiencing significant symptoms until middle age.
Daytime sleepiness in children and adolescents is far more likely
to be caused by one of the following: insomnia, insufficient sleep,
restless legs, or sleep apnea. See the Sleep
Disorders fact sheet for more information.
Provigil and Seniors
Individuals over 65 should take reduced doses in the event of decreased kidney or liver function.
Provigil is a trademark of Cephalon
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This document is provided for information only. It is not a substitute
for consultation with a physician, either to diagnose symptoms
or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general
guidelines only, please follow the directions of your doctor
or pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made
every effort to ensure that this information is accurate,
but only your doctor can say if a medication, or drug combination,
is safe for you. Information intended for US residents only.
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