Provigil 100mg/200mg Tablets

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Provigil is a derivative of two words — promoting/promoter and vigilance. Thus, Provigil as a drug is a wakefulness-promoting medication. Its generic name is modafinil and is classified as a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. Though it is primarily approved for the treatment of narcolepsy, it can be more devastating if abused or misused. More importantly, this medication may not cure all your sleepiness and should not take the place of getting adequate sleep.

Uses of Provigil

Doctors prescribe this drug for the following reasons:

•     Treatment of excessive sleepiness due to obstructive sleep apnea
•     Promoting wakefulness in persons with shift work sleep disorder
•     Treatment of narcolepsy
•     Alleviating fatigue experienced by people who have multiple sclerosis (off-label)
•     Treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (off-label)

Your doctor may prescribe this drug for other purposes not listed here but not to persons less than 17 years of age.

How Does Provigil Work?

The brain contains chemicals known as neurotransmitters, which play a role in sleep induction and wakefulness. Examples include serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, orexin, and hypocretin. The exact effects of Provigil on narcolepsy and other sleep disorders are unclear. However, elevated levels of serotonin and norepinephrine occur in people who take the drug, enabling them to sleep well. Also, orexin promotes wakefulness and modafinil directly potentiates the action of orexin.

Precautions

You need to heed the following warnings to ensure the efficacy of Provigil:

•     Do not use this drug if you are allergic to modafinil.
•     Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant while using Provigil. Provigil may make hormonal birth control pills less effective.
•     Though it is not certain whether Provigil can pass through breast milk to harm a nursing baby, inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding before using this drug.
•     To be certain that this drug is safe for you, inform your doctor if you fall into any of this category:

○     History of heart disorders (enlarged heart, angina, mitral valve issues, heart attack)

○     History of liver disorders e.g. cirrhosis

○     History of mental illness or psychosis

○     History of drug addiction or alcoholism

○     Kidney diseases

○     High blood pressure

How to Use Provigil

Take this drug exactly as your doctor prescribed it, ensuring you don’t ingest it longer than necessary or less than the required treatment duration. This medicine can be consumed with or without food. However, make sure you swallow the tablet whole with enough water. 

Provigil has abuse potential and can cause patients to depend on it, especially those who have a history of drug addiction. Therefore, it is not wise to share this drug with anyone. Also, do not keep it where others can easily access it.

Take this drug in the morning to promote wakefulness, usually an hour before you start your work shift if you are taking it for shift work sleep disorder.

If you are taking Provigil for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, your treatment plan would also require treatment with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine.

Doctors usually prescribe this medication for 2 to 12 weeks.

Provigil Dosing Information

The dosage is dependent on the severity of your condition as diagnosed by your doctor.

•     For the treatment of narcolepsy, the usual adult dose is 200 mg orally every day in the morning.
•     The usual adult dose for hypopnea syndrome/obstructive sleep apnea is 200 mg orally in the morning.
•     The dose for shift work sleep disorder is also 200 mg orally but is taken exactly 1 hour before the shift starts.
•     For the treatment of attention deficit disorder in children greater than 30 kg the required dose is between 300-425 mg, while those less than 30 kg will require between 200-340 mg.

Side Effects of Provigil

Fatal allergic reactions to this drug rarely occur, but you should seek emergency medical attention if you experience any of the following:

•     swollen lymph nodes
•     difficulty in breathing
•     itching
•     fever
•     severe dizziness
•     rashes
•     swelling of the (tongue, throat, or face)
•     fast/irregular heartbeat

The common side effects that can be associated with Provigil include:

•     Headaches
•     Depression
•     Nausea
•     Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)
•     Back pain
•     Hallucinations
•     Nervousness
•     Confusion
•     Dizziness
•     Having thoughts of suicide (though rare)
•     Chest pain
•     Stomach upset
•     Mood changes
•     Darkening or yellowing of urine
•     Stuffy nose

Interactions

Provigil interacts with over 400 drugs, 7 disease conditions, and 3 alcohol/food. Consuming the drug with caffeine-containing beverages can increase your chances of developing unwanted adverse effects.

The following drugs have major interactions with Provigil:

•     Bedaquiline
•     Avapritinib
•     Citalopram
•     Doravirine
•     Esketamine
•     Finerenone
•     Hydrocodone
•     Ganaxolone
•     Lenacapavir
•     Methadone
•     Oxycodone
•     Quizartinib
•     Tenofovir
•     Voclosporin

Provigil also interacts with the following diseases:

•     Psychiatric disorders
•     Liver disease
•     Seizure disorder
•     Cardiac disease
•     Kidney dysfunction
•     Hypertension
•     Cardiovascular disease

Missed Dose and Overdose

If you miss your dose, take it as soon as you can remember. You can skip the missed dose if it is close to your next dose. Also, if you suspect overdose or accidental poisoning, call the poison control center in your area immediately.

Storage

Provigil should be stored at room temperature away from moisture, direct sunlight, and heat. It should also be kept out of the reach of children and pets.