MODAFINIL (PROVIGIL)

Modafinil, sold under the brand name Provigil among others, is the most popular Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant drug marketed as a ‘wakefulness promoting agent’.

Modafinil is used to improve wakefulness in adults who are very sleepy due to one of the following diagnosed sleep disorders:

• Narcolepsy
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)
• Shift Work sleep Disorder (SWD)

Even though Modafinil (i.e. Generic Provigil) is a novel wake-promoting agent prescribed primarily to narcolepsy patients, its usage among healthy individuals to enhance their alertness or to mitigate fatigue is constantly rising.

Modafinil is also very popular amongst students and professionals looking for a way to stay more alert, focused and productive. Modafinil improves cognitive functioning and memory.

Modafinil is a racemic mixture of two enantiomers, armodafinil ((R)-modafinil) and esmodafinil ((S)-modafinil).

Modafinil (2-(diphenylmethyl) sulfinyl] acetamide)

What is Modafinil and how it works?

• Modafinil is a Eugeroic or wakefulness-promoting agent for treating daytime sleepiness associated with sleep disorders

• Unlike Amphetamines, Modafinil has fewer side effects. It also has fewer side effects compared to traditional stimulants

• Modafinil activates the release of Orexin neuropeptides and Histamines from the tuberomammillary nucleus and lateral hypothalamus to induce its arousal-enhancing property.

• It also stimulates other neurochemical systems like GABA, glutamate, serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine

• It also upregulates energy mechanism via metabolic-activating effects, for example, it increases the energetic pool of phosphocreatine in the cortex

FAQs

How does modafinil work?

MODAFINIL works by increasing the amount of a chemical known as dopamine in the brain by reducing the reabsorption of dopamine into nerves. Thus, it helps a person to stay awake during their office hours or for performing normal activities of the day and to have a  normal sleep routine

 

In which conditions should I avoid taking MODAFINIL?

A person should tell their doctor if they have a history of mental health problems, heart problems, high blood pressure, liver or kidney problems, or have a history of drug or alcohol abuse

 

Can I drive a car after taking MODAFINIL?

Persons who have sleep disorders should be extra careful about driving or operating any machine that can be dangerous. Try not to change your daily habits until your doctor tells you to do so.

 

Is the usage of hormonal birth control pills allowed with MODAFINIL?

A woman who is using any type of hormonal birth control method that includes implants, patches, vaginal rings, birth control pills, should tell their doctor before taking MODAFINIL as this medicine can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills and a higher chance of getting pregnant. For men, it is advised to use contraceptives devices like condoms instead of oral contraceptives.