Is there a generic form of Provigil?
No. There is no generic form of Provigil sold in the United States at this time. Provigil is protected in the United States by a patent that does not expire until 2014 and that covers the pharmaceutical composition of the form of modafinil contained in Provigil.
The FDA granted preliminary approval to Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc. in January 2004 and to Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited in February 2004 to market generic forms of modafinil. However, the drug companies will not have a product on the shelves any time soon because Cephalon, Inc., the U.S. maker of Provigil, the brand name for modafinil, alleges the companies are infringing on its patent on the drug. Lengthy legal battles will most likely occur before any generic prescription of Provigil is made available in the U.S.
Cephalon also sells Nuvigil, which is also modafinil.
What are the available dosages for Provigil?
Provigil is available in 100 milligram and 200 milligram dosages. The recommended dosage is 200 milligrams per day taken as a single dose in the morning. Patients with shift work sleep disorder usually take Provigil about 1 hour before their work shift. Elderly patients and those with liver problems should take a reduced dosage.
How should I take Provigil?
Take Provigil with a full glass of water. It can be taken with or without food. Food does not reduce the effectiveness of Provigil; however, it will delay the absorption of the drug approximately 1 hour.
How should I store Provigil?
Provigil should be stored in the container it came in, tightly closed and out of the reach of children. It should be kept at room temperature in a place not exposed to excessive heat or moisture.
What if I miss a dose of Provigil?
Take it as soon as your remember. If you don’t remember to take it until the next day, skip the dose you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
Can I take Provigil if I’m on hormonal birth controls?
Yes, but Provigil can affect hormonal birth control methods (contraceptives). Women who use hormonal contraceptives such as birth control pills, shots, implants, intrauterine devices (IUDs), or patches may have a higher chance of getting pregnant while taking Provigil and for one month after discontinuing the use of Provigil. Women should talk to their doctor about which birth control methods to use while taking Provigil.
Can I take Provigil if I’m pregnant or nursing?
The active ingredient in Provigil, Modafinil, is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will be harmful to an unborn baby. There are no adequate studies that assess effects of Provigil in pregnant women or nursing mothers. If you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or are currently breast-feeding, you should talk to your doctor before taking Provigil.
Can I drink alcohol if I’m taking Provigil?
The use of Provigil in combination with alcohol has not been studied. People taking Provigil should avoid alcohol until the matter has been thoroughly studied.
Can I take Provigil if I’m a professional athlete?
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) included modafinil on its 2004 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods. Olympic athletes as well as professional athletes participating in other sporting events around the world mayl be disciplined if they test positive for modafinil. Several world-class athletes have got in trouble after testing positive for modafinil.
Will taking Provigil affect my ability to fall asleep at night or interrupt my sleep?
Provigil has a 15-hour half life (the amount of time before half of the drug’s peak plasma levels are eliminated by the body), meaning that if you take a single pill in the morning the drug will probably have little effect on your night-time sleep.
Remember: your body and brain need sleep! Provigil can be abused, like any drug, and if you take it too often you could not get enough sleep. Stay within the recommended dosages and get regular sleep.
Can I become addicted to Provigil?
Provigil is a Schedule IV controlled substance. This means that Provigil may be a target for people who abuse medicines or street drugs. However, certain chemical properties of modafinil, the active ingredient in Provigil, reduce its potential for abuse. Because the drug is insoluble in water, it cannot be readily injected. Also, it degrades with heating, which severally hampers its effectiveness if smoked.
It is advised to keep your Provigil in a safe place. Giving your prescription of Provigil to anyone is against the law.
Can I overdose on Provigil?
Patients should always adhere to the dosage schedule prescribed by their doctor. In the case of accidental overdosage, the risk of potentially dangerous or life-threatening effects is minimal.
Symptoms of an overdose might include the following:
- Aggressiveness
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Nausea
- Nervousness
- Palpitations
- Sleep disturbances
- Tremors
If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, seek medical attention.
Will I experience symptoms of withdrawal if I stop taking Provigil?
It is very unlikely. If you suffer from narcolepsy, you will begin to feel sleepy again, but this does not constitute clinical withdrawal.