Provigil Web is a non-profit non-biased information source for the medication Provigil (modafinil). We provide information on this drug, which helps people stay awake.
Provigil® - Wake-Promoting Agent
Provigil is the first in a new class of wake-promoting agents. Originally approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998 for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy, today Provigil is the only FDA-approved prescription medicine for treatment of hypersomnias and excessive sleepiness associated with OSAHS and SWSD. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine considers Provigil (modafinil) the standard treatment for sleepiness in nacrolepsy.
It is marketed in the U.S. by Cephalon, Inc., a global biopharmaceutical firm headquartered in Pennsylvania. (In 2011, the Israeli company Teva bought Cephalon). Other names for the drug include Nuvigil®, Vigicer® and Alertec®.
Chemical Abstracts Name: Acetamide, 2-[(diphenylmethyl)sulfinyl]- (9CI)
Other names: modafinil, modiodal
Provigil is structurally different from other central nervous system stimulants. Its mechanism is unknown but is different from traditional dopaminergic and catecholaminergic-enhancing stimulant drugs.
Provigil does not have the number of withdrawal problems that other stimulants have, and its withdrawal effects are not as severe in most people. Provigil is typically not experienced (subjectively) as strong as other stimulants such as Ritalin and Adderall.
The United States FDA has classified Provigil a Schedule IV drug (low abuse potential).
Who should use it? Provigil is only approved for use by adults and children over the age of 16. It should only be taken by those suffering from sleep disorders.
Is just being sleepy a sleep disorder? No, but it is really up to your doctor to determine when you have a disorder, given all your symptoms, history, and other medical data. There has been a proposal to classify "subwakefulness syndrome" as an official sleep disorder. This means people aren't as awake as they want to be. But subwakefullness syndrome has not yet gained acceptance by the wide medical community. This is also called "subvigilance syndrome."
Is it safe to use? Provigil was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998. It has side effects and is not tolerated by everyone, but is generally considered safe by the medical community.
What are the ingredients in Provigil? The active ingredient is modafinil. Inactive ingredients include: lactose, microcrystalline, cellulose, pregelatinized starch, croscarmellose sodium, povidone and magnesium stearate.
Are there any side effects associated with taking Provigil?
Yes. The most common ones are headache, upper respiratory tract infection, nausea, nervousness, anxiety and insomnia. In clinical trials, these side effects each occurred in more than 5% of patients.
What dosages are available?
Provigil is available in 100 milligram and 200 milligram dosages.
Do you need a prescription for Provigil?
Yes. Provigil is a controlled substance and can only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription.
Millions of Americans experience excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS),and shift work sleep disorder (SWSD). Provigil might help them feel more awake at the times when they need to be awake and may improve their concentration. It can be used as an adjunct with CPAP treatment for people with apnea, and enhance the quality of their waking life.
Wakefullness-promoting agent
Provigil acts on areas in the brain having to do with the sleep/wake mechanism. It increases alertness in sleepy individuals, but probably not to normal alertness levels. Provigil is rapidly absorbed the body and it’s at its most effective within two hours of ingestion.
Sleep Deficit?
Sleepiness significantly increases the potential for compromised attention, impaired cognition, lengthened reaction time, and negative mood. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) believes that sleepiness should be recognized as a serious signal that is understood as a risk factor and precursor to accident, injury, destruction and death. Two-thirds of all Americans don’t get enough sleep, according to the NSF. For those with critical attention responsibilities, including truck drivers and people who work night shifts on a permanent or rotating basis, sleepiness can make them more prone to accidents. In contrast, optimal alertness is a fundamental requirement for successful and safe functioning in our society. If we can reduce society-wide sleepiness we might be able to reduce accidents and injuries.
Astronauts use Provigil. Specifics are not public, but a paper published by the Canadian Medical Association Journal says modafinil "is available to crew" to improve crew performance on the International Space Station.
A Different Kind of Stimulant
Unlike caffeine and older prescription stimulants that affect the entire central nervous system which in turn leads to jitteriness, insomnia and prolonged bouts of sleep to make up for lost sleep, Provigil only seems to effect the part of the brain that keeps you awake. A person’s sleep patterns will usually revert back to normal after the effects of Provigil wear off. Clinical trials have also demonstrated that Provigil is less likely to cause nervousness or withdrawal-like symptoms.
A recent small study found that the Provigil helps patients with psychosis discriminate emotional face expressions on others. It might prove useful for psychiatric patients and help them fit in with society. More work needs to be done in this regard.
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