Modafinil

Generic name: Modafinil
Brand names: Provigil
Dosage form: oral tablet (100 mg; 200 mg)
Drug class: CNS stimulants

Usage of Modafinil

Modafinil is a medication that promotes wakefulness.

Modafinil is used to treat excessive sleepiness caused by sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or shift work sleep disorder.

Modafinil may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Modafinil side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Modafinil can cause skin reactions that may be severe enough to need treatment in a hospital. Stop taking modafinil and get emergency medical help if you have:

skin rash or hives, blisters or peeling;

mouth sores, trouble swallowing;

fever, shortness of breath;

swelling in your legs;

dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

swelling in your face, eyes, lips, tongue, or throat.

Modafinil may cause serious side effects. Stop using modafinil and call your doctor at once if you have:

depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts or actions;

hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior, aggression, being more active or talkative than usual;

chest pain, trouble breathing, uneven heart beats; or

the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how minor you think it might be.

Common side effects of modafinil may include:

headache, dizziness;

feeling nervous or anxious;

back pain;

nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach;

sleep problems (insomnia); or

stuffy nose.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Modafinil

You should not use modafinil if you have ever had an allergic reaction or skin rash while taking modafinil or armodafinil (Nuvigil).

To make sure modafinil is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

angina (chest pain);

cirrhosis or other liver problem;

kidney disease;

high blood pressure, heart disease, or history of heart attack;

a history of mental illness or psychosis; or

history of alcoholism or drug addiction.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Modafinil can make certain birth control less effective. Hormonal contraception (birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches, and vaginal rings) may not be effective enough to prevent pregnancy during your treatment. Talk with your doctor about the best methods of birth control to use while taking modafinil.

It is not known whether modafinil passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Modafinil is not approved for use by anyone younger than 17 years old.

Relate drugs

How to use Modafinil

Usual Adult Dose for Narcolepsy:

200 mg orally once a day in the morningComments: -In obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), this drug is not a treatment for the underlying obstruction. -If continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the treatment of choice for excessive sleepiness, a maximal effort to treat with CPAP for an adequate period of time should be made prior to and during treatment with this drug.Use: Treatment to improve wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness associated with narcolepsy and OSA.

Usual Adult Dose for Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome:

Usual Adult Dose for Shift Work Sleep Disorder:

200 mg orally once a day, approximately 1 hour prior to the start of the work shiftUse: Treatment to improve wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness associated with shift work disorder.

Warnings

You should not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction or skin rash while taking modafinil or armodafinil (Nuvigil).

Modafinil can cause skin reactions that may be severe enough to need treatment in a hospital. Stop taking this medicine and get emergency medical help if you have a skin rash or hives, blisters or peeling, mouth sores, trouble breathing or swallowing, fever, swelling in your legs, dark urine, yellowing of your skin or eyes, or swelling in your face.

What other drugs will affect Modafinil

Other drugs may interact with modafinil, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

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