Generic Provigil

 

 

 

Modafinil is a wakefulness-promoting factor for oral administration. It is available under the brand name, provigil. Provigil Modafinil is a racemic compound. The chemical name for modafinil is 2-[(diphenylmethyl)sulfinyl]acetamide. These tablets hold 100 mg or 200 mg of modafinil and the following inactive ingredients: lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, croscarmellose sodium, povidone, and magnesium stearate.

Indication

Provigil is indicated for improving alertness in patients who have excessive sleepiness associated with narcolepsy or other sleep disorders. It has also several other uses.

Dosage and Administration

A 200 mg of dosage has been recommended. It needs to be taken once daily. For patients with narcolepsy and OSAHS, Provigil has to be taken as a single dose in the morning.

Patients of SWSD can take this drug around 1 hour before the start of their work shift. Doses up to 400 mg/day, given as a single dose, have been well tolerated, but there is no consistent evidence that this dose grants additional benefit beyond that of the 200 mg dose.

For concomitant medications that are substrates for CYP3A4, such as triazolam and cyclosporine, the dosage should be adjusted.

Drugs that are mostly eliminated via CYP2C19 metabolism, for example diazepam, propranolol, phenytoin (also via CYP2C9) or S-mephenytoin may have delayed elimination if taken with Provigil. In that case you may need dosage decrease and monitoring for toxicity.

In patients having severe hepatic impairment, a lower dose i.e. one-half of doses recommended for patients with normal hepatic function has been suggested. In elderly patient also the dose should be limited.

Side Effects

By using this drug, you may feel nausea, diarrhea or headache. If these effects persist or aggravate, inform your doctor without delay. Besides other adverse events reported with this medicine are trouble sleeping, dizziness, mental/mood changes, loss of appetite, dry mouth. It may occasionally cause chest pain, fast/irregular pulse, vision changes, increased thirst/urination, trouble with urination, trouble with ejaculation, unusual muscle weakness or stiffness, muscle tingling or twitching. Rarely, may it cause allergic reaction to this medication, seek immediate medical attention. These are: rash, itching, swelling. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precaution

Provigil affects the central nervous system. It can cause effects that may damage your thinking or reactions. Caution is advised if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Stay away from other dangerous activity until you know how this medication will affect your level of wakefulness. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine. This drug may not be right to use if you have some medical conditions. It is essential for you to inform about them before taking it. These conditions include liver problems, cirrhosis, kidney problems, heart problems (e.g., chest pain, recent heart attack, mitral valve prolapse, enlarged ventricle), or high blood pressure. Besides it can not be used in patients having allergy its ingredients. Notify your pharmacist if you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (e.g., phenelzine). Tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have if you have a history of mental problems (e.g., bipolar disorder, depression), suicidal thoughts or actions, or alcohol or other substance abuse or dependence