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Compare Provigil vs. Marinol

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Modafinil (Provigil) and dronabinol (Marinol) are both prescription medications, but they serve different purposes and belong to different drug classes. Modafinil is a wakefulness-promoting agent used to treat excessive sleepiness caused by narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, or shift work disorder. In contrast, dronabinol is a cannabinoid used to treat nausea and vomiting from anticancer medications and to stimulate appetite in people with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Modafinil is taken once daily, while dronabinol is typically taken multiple times a day, depending on the condition being treated. Modafinil can cause side effects like headache and nausea, whereas dronabinol can cause dizziness, sleepiness, and stomach pain. Both medications have a risk of misuse, but modafinil is a Schedule IV controlled substance, while dronabinol is a Schedule III controlled substance. Additionally, modafinil is not recommended for people with certain heart conditions, while dronabinol can affect your ability to think clearly and may worsen mental health symptoms.

  • Modafinil (Provigil)
    Dronabinol (Marinol)
  • Modafinil (Provigil)
    Dronabinol (Marinol)

  • Summary of Provigil vs. Marinol

    Summary for Wakefulness-promoting agent
    Prescription only

    Modafinil (Provigil) helps improve wakefulness in adults with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, or shift work disorder. This wake-promoting medication comes as a tablet that’s taken by mouth. For adults with narcolepsy or sleep apnea, you take a dosage once daily in the morning. And for those with shift work disorder, you take your dosage 1 hour before the start of your work shift. Common side effects include headache and nausea. Modafinil (Provigil) is a controlled substance because of its potential for misuse.

    Summary for Cannabinoid
    Prescription only

    Dronabinol capsules, also known by the brand name Marinol, help treat nausea and vomiting from certain cancer medications (chemotherapy). It's also approved as an appetite stimulant for adults with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This medication is taken by mouth. The dosage depends on why you're taking it. Some side effects are dizziness, sleepiness, and stomach pain. Dronabinol (Marinol) is a type of cannabinoid. It has a potential risk of misuse, dependence, and addiction, so it's considered a controlled substance.

  • Indications of Provigil vs. Marinol

    Indications for
    •Improve wakefulness in adults with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, or shift work disorder
    Indications for
    •Low appetite and weight loss in adults with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)
    •Nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy in adults who've already tried other options

  • Pros and Cons of Provigil vs. Marinol

    Pros and Const for Wakefulness-promoting agent
    Pros
    •Taken once a day
    •Can start to work after about 1 hour of taking
    •Might be less likely to feel anxious or jittery than with common stimulants for these sleep issues
    Cons
    •A controlled substance, so there are specific rules for getting it filled at the pharmacy
    •Interacts with many medications, like omeprazole (Prilosec), warfarin (Coumadin), and hormonal birth control
    •Not approved for children
    Pros and Const for Cannabinoid
    Pros
    •Taken by mouth
    •Dosage can be adjusted by your prescriber, if needed
    •Works well to improve appetite in adults who have AIDS
    •Can help with nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy when other options don't work well
    Cons
    •Has a risk of misuse, dependence, and addiction
    •Is a controlled substance, so there's special rules to follow to get it filled at the pharmacy
    •Can make it hard to think clearly
    •Must keep capsules in the refrigerator

  • Common Side Effects of Provigil vs. Marinol

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (34%)
    •Nausea (11%)
    •Feeling nervous (7%)
    •Runny nose (7%)
    •Back pain (6%)
    •Diarrhea (6%)
    •Anxiety (5%)
    •Dizziness (5%)
    •Indigestion (5%)
    •Trouble sleeping (5%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Dizziness (up to 10%)
    •Sleepiness (up to 10%)
    •Euphoria (e.g., feeling "high," easy laughing, happiness; up to 10%)
    •Paranoia (intense anxiety or fearful thoughts; up to 10%)
    •Abnormal thinking (up to 10%)
    •Stomach pain (up to 10%)
    •Nausea (up to 10%)
    •Vomiting (up to 10%)

  • Warnings of Provigil vs. Marinol

    Common Side Effects for
    •Serious allergic reactions
    •Serious rash and skin reactions
    •Sleepiness and trouble focusing, thinking, and reacting
    •Unusual changes in mood and behavior
    •Heart problems
    •Changes in blood pressure and heart rate
    Common Side Effects for
    •Worsening mental health problems
    •Dizziness, sleepiness, and trouble thinking
    •Changes in blood pressure and heart rate
    •Seizures
    •Risk of misuse, dependence, and addiction
    •Worsening nausea, vomiting, or stomach pain

  • Prices with our coupons for Provigil vs. Marinol

    Learn more about Modafinil
    Learn more about Dronabinol

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