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Provigil for your excessive sleepinessTaking ProvigilIs there a generic form of Provigil available? Currently, there is no generic form of Provigil available. 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. 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 taking other prescription medication? Yes; however, you may experience a variety of side effects. Also, Provigil may affect the way other medicines work and other medicines may affect how Provigil works. You should talk to your doctor about how Provigil may interact with any drugs, vitamins, or herbal supplements you are currently taking. 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, which is sold in the U.S. under the name Provigil, 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. Are there any side effects associated with taking Provigil? Yes, but they are generally mild. The most common ones are:
Some side effects can be serious. In clinical trials, serious side effects occurred in about 5% of patients. While the following symptoms are uncommon while taking Provigil, if you experience any of them, contact your doctor immediately:
NEW: The Fall 2007 issue of the FDA Drug Safety newsletter notes: "FDA has been monitoring cases of serious skin reactions, including erythema multiforme (EM), Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), in its postmarketing reviews of adverse event reports associated with the use of modafinil." The labeling on Provigil was recently updated to include a warning about serious skin rash as a side effect. 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 dosage of the drug in the morning the drug will have little or no effect on your night-time sleep. Remember: the body needs 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:
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. |
ProviglWeb does not sell Provigil or any other medication. We are not a medical site and cannot answer specific medical questions about your condition. Prescription medications such as Provgil should be taken only under the care of a doctor. Consult your doctor for advice about your situation.
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