modafinil
Modafinil (Provigil) is a prescription medication used to improve wakefulness in people who have extreme sleepiness due to narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, or shift work disorder. It's considered a controlled substance since this medication has a potential to cause misuse. You should avoid alcohol while taking modafinil (Provigil), as well as certain other medications to avoid any serious interactions and side effects. Common side effects of modafinil (Provigil), however, include headache and nausea.
What is Modafinil (Provigil)?
What is Modafinil (Provigil) used for?
Excessive sleepiness due to narcolepsy, shift work disorder, or obstructive sleep apnea
How Modafinil (Provigil) works
Modafinil (Provigil) is a wake-promoting central nervous system (CNS) medication. Researchers don't know exactly how it works, but it appears to affect areas in the brain that control wakefulness and attention.
Drug Facts
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What are the risks and warnings for Modafinil (Provigil)?
Modafinil (Provigil) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Serious allergic reactions
Risk factors: Previous allergic reaction to modafinil (Provigil)
Though rare, modafinil (Provigil) can cause serious allergic reactions such as swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, or throat which can make it hard to breathe. Sometimes, allergic reactions also involve certain parts of the body such as the liver or blood cells. People who did experience these types of reaction typically reported them 2 weeks to a month after starting modafinil (Provigil). Symptoms include fever and rash, weakness, and yellowing of the skin or white part of the eyes. Get medical help right away if you notice any of these symptoms while taking modafinil (Provigil).
Serious skin reactions
In some rare cases, severe, and possibly fatal skin reactions can happen while taking modafinil (Provigil). Examples of such reactions include Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) syndrome. Stop taking modafinil (Provigil) and get medical help right away if you notice a new rash, sores, or blisters on your skin, lips, or inside your mouth, or peeling of your skin.
Driving impairment
Risk factors: Taking with alcohol | Taking other medications that make you less alert
Modafinil (Provigil) can change the way you focus, think, and react. While the medication can improve wakefulness, some people with extreme sleepiness might still have a hard time staying awake while taking modafinil (Provigil). Be careful and avoid activities that require you to be alert, such as driving a car or operating machinery, until you know how this medication affects you.
Heart problems
Risk factors: History of heart problems
Modafinil (Provigil) can cause chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and shortness of breath in some people and isn't recommended in people with certain heart conditions. Your provider might recommend that you monitor your blood pressure and heart rate while taking modafinil (Provigil).
Mental health disorder symptoms
Risk factors: History of mental health conditions
Some people taking modafinil (Provigil) have reported symptoms associated with certain mental health conditions such as depression, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there), mania (extremely elevated or excited mood), or suicidal thoughts. Watch for worsening depression or any unusual changes in mood or behavior while taking modafinil (Provigil).
What are the side effects of Modafinil (Provigil)?
Common Side Effects
- Headache (34%)
- Nausea (11%)
- Feeling nervous (7%)
- Runny nose (7%)
- Back Pain (6%)
- Diarrhea (6%)
- Anxiety (5%)
- Dizziness (5%)
- Upset stomach and indigestion (5%)
- Trouble sleeping (5%)
Other Side Effects
- Loss of appetite
- Dry mouth
- Sore throat
- Chest pain
- High blood pressure
- Fast heartbeat
Serious Side Effects
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
- Mental (psychiatric) symptoms: worsening of depression, anxiety, mania, hallucinations, feeling agitated
- Heart problems: chest pain, irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing
- Severe skin reactions: fever, tiredness, sore throat, stinging in the eyes, cough, body aches, rash, blisters, peeling of the skin
Source: DailyMed
More on Modafinil (Provigil) side effects
The following side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Black, tarry stools
blurred vision or other vision changes
chills or fever
clumsiness or unsteadiness
confusion
dizziness or fainting
increased thirst and urination
mental depression
problems with memory
rapidly changing moods
shortness of breath
trembling or shaking
trouble in urinating
uncontrolled movements of the face, mouth, or tongue
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
Agitation or excitement
fast or pounding heartbeat
increased blood pressure
trouble with sleeping
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Back pain
belching
decrease in appetite
difficulty having a bowel movement
dryness of the mouth
dryness of the skin
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
flushing or redness of the skin
indigestion
muscle stiffness
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
sour stomach
stomach discomfort upset or pain
stuffy or runny nose
swelling
tingling, burning, or prickling sensations in the skin
vomiting
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of Modafinil (Provigil)
Pros
Convenient once-daily dosing
Can help you feel awake without feeling overstimulated
Available as a lower-cost generic
Doesn't usually interfere with falling asleep when taken as recommended
Can help with attention as well as fatigue
Cons
Interacts with many medications, including hormonal birth controls, warfarin (Coumadin), and omeprazole (Prilosec)
Older adults and people with severe liver problems might need a lower dose
Not known whether it's safe or works well for children
Generally not recommended if you're pregnant or breastfeeding
Pharmacist tips for Modafinil (Provigil)
Modafinil (Provigil) helps improve wakefulness if you have trouble sleeping due to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but it doesn't treat the underlying problem. Continue using your other prescribed treatments, such as a breathing machine (continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP), while taking modafinil (Provigil).
You can take modafinil (Provigil) with or without food. Food doesn't change how well this medication works, but it might delay how quickly it starts to work.
If you're using modafinil (Provigil) for shift work disorder (working long or irregular work hours), then you only need to take this medication 1 hour before the start of your work shift and not on days that you don't work.
Modafinil (Provigil) can cause hormonal birth control, such as birth control pills, patches, shots, and vaginal rings, to not work as well. Talk to your provider about your non-hormonal birth control options for when you're taking modafinil (Provigil) and for at least 1 month after stopping.
Modafinil (Provigil) can treat excessive sleepiness, but it isn't a replacement for sleep. Continue to practice good sleep habits while taking this medication.
Modafinil (Provigil) can cause you to feel jittery and so can coffee and other caffeinated drinks. Until you know how this medication affects you, try to avoid or limit the use of caffeine while taking modafinil (Provigil).
Frequently asked questions about Modafinil (Provigil)
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Modafinil (Provigil) dosage forms
Typical dosing for Modafinil (Provigil)
Narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea: The recommended dose is 200 mg by mouth once daily in the morning.
Shift work disorder: The recommended dose is 200 mg by mouth once daily about 1 hour before the start of a work shift.
Your dose might differ if you have liver problems.
Interactions between Modafinil (Provigil) and other drugs
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Alfentanil
- Amiodarone
- Avapritinib
- Axitinib
- Benzhydrocodone
- Brigatinib
- Buprenorphine
- Capmatinib
- Citalopram
- Clarithromycin
- Clobazam
- Cobimetinib
- Codeine
- Daclatasvir
- Darunavir
- Deflazacort
- Desogestrel
- Dienogest
- Dihydrocodeine
- Doxorubicin
- Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome
- Dronedarone
- Drospirenone
- Elbasvir
- Encorafenib
- Entrectinib
- Enzalutamide
- Erdafitinib
- Estradiol
- Ethinyl Estradiol
- Ethynodiol
- Etonogestrel
- Fedratinib
- Fentanyl
- Gestodene
- Glasdegib
- Grazoprevir
- Hemin
- Hydrocodone
- Ifosfamide
- Iobenguane I 131
- Lefamulin
- Lemborexant
- Levonorgestrel
- Lorlatinib
- Lumateperone
- Lurbinectedin
- Medroxyprogesterone
- Meperidine
- Mestranol
- Methadone
- Neratinib
- Nifedipine
- Nomegestrol
- Norelgestromin
- Norethindrone
- Norgestimate
- Norgestrel
- Olaparib
- Oxycodone
- Pemigatinib
- Pentazocine
- Perampanel
- Piperaquine
- Pretomanid
- Rimegepant
- Segesterone
- Selpercatinib
- Selumetinib
- Simeprevir
- Sonidegib
- Sufentanil
- Tacrolimus
- Tazemetostat
- Tolvaptan
- Tramadol
- Ubrogepant
- Ulipristal
- Velpatasvir
- Venetoclax
- Voclosporin
- Voxelotor
- Voxilaprevir
- Zanubrutinib
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Clomipramine
- Cyclosporine
- Ospemifene
- Triazolam
How much does Modafinil (Provigil) cost?
Modafinil (Provigil) contraindications
Allergic to armodafinil (Nuvigil)
What is the latest news about Modafinil (Provigil)?
Modafinil (Provigil) images
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References
Best studies we foundCephalon, LLC. (2022). PROVIGIL- modafinil tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.
Dailey, M. W., et al. (2023). Mania. StatPearls.
Kim, D. (2012). Practical use and risk of Modafinil, a novel waking drug. Environmental health and Toxicology.
Menza, M. A., et al. (2000). Modafinil augmentation of antidepressant treatment in depression. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.
Roth, T., et al. (2007). Evaluation of the Safety of Modafinil for Treatment of Excessive Sleepiness. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.
Tseng, Y. L., et al. (2005). Detection of modafinil in human urine by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis.
Wickwire, E. M., et al. (2016). Shift work and shift work sleep disorder. Chest.
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