Provigil is derived from two words namely: "Pro" and "Vigil". Pro means promoting while vigil means to be awake or vigilant. Hence the drug Provigil, as the name implies, is used for promoting wakefulness in people who have narcolepsy, sleep apnea, or shift-work disorder.
Provigil belongs to a class of drugs known as Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulants. Its generic name is Modafinil. It also comes as white oblong tablets in either 100 mg or 200 mg dosage strength with Provigil clearly inscribed on one side.
Being a CNS stimulant, the drug works by ensuring a balance in neurotransmitters that are available to the brain and nerves. These neurotransmitters are responsible for sleep and staying alert.
It is important to take all your medications as directed by your physician. You should take Provigil in the morning with or without food or at least 60 minutes before your work shift. Do not stop taking it abruptly or for longer than prescribed. You may be required to take it for 2 to 3 months.
Note: You should be aware that using this medicine does not take the place of getting enough sleep. Also, you could become addicted to it.
The dosage of Provigil you will consume is dependent on your condition. Also, the doctor may need to make some dosage adjustments based on your age or how healthy/functional your liver is.
For obstructive sleep apnea and narcolepsy, the adult daily dose is 200 mg per day. Even though some people go ahead to take as much as 400 mg as a single dose per day, it has proven to be more effective than the normal 200 mg dose.
In shift work disorder, the dosage is 200 mg. You should consume it 1 hour before your shift work commences.
Provigil is not approved for use in persons that are less than 17 years old. However, if other treatment options fail, 200 - 340 mg for children weighing less than 30 kg and 300 - 425 mg for children weighing above 30 kg can be administered for the treatment of attention deficit disorder.
Before taking Provigil, inform the physician if you are allergic to modafinil or related drugs. They should also know if you have any recent history of:
It is also important that you inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant while using Provigil since it makes hormonal contraceptives less effective.
The commonly reported side effects in people using Provigil include:
Ensure to call 911 or a healthcare professional if you experience the following symptoms while taking Provigil:
Furthermore, you are advised to inform your doctor and stop using Provigil if you experience the following:
The drug interacts with over 400 other drugs, 9 diseases conditions and with alcohol.
Some of the drug interactions are listed below:
Provigil also interacts with the following pathological conditions:
It is important to note that this medicine may reduce the efficacy of birth control pills. So, if you notice spotting or bleeding, it could mean that your contraceptive has failed. Additionally, Provigil doesn't work well with caffeine as it can increase the side effects. Hence the need to avoid consuming colas, tea, coffee, large chunks of chocolate, and nonprescription drugs that contain caffeine.
Symptoms of Provigil overdose are hallucinations, restlessness, irregular heartbeat, and passing out. If you notice these changes, rush to the nearest hospital or clinic or call 911 for immediate medical attention.
Avoid making up for missed doses; it's best to skip it entirely and wait for the next dose. Also, you should avoid taking a missed dose close to bedtime as you may find it difficult to fall asleep.
Although Provigil is potent for sleep problems, you should consume it following your physician's prescription to ensure you get the best results. Also, you may experience some unpleasant effects but they'll go away faster than you'll notice. Otherwise, don't hesitate to contact your physician.
