Modafanil Review - Its Side Effects, Dosage, and Benefits

Modafinil is a medicine used in the treatment of extreme sleepiness caused by narcolepsy or other sleep disorders. It sells under the name Provigil, which is its brand name. Modafinil exists as a white to off-white, crystal-like powder, practically insoluble in water.

A Provigil tablet contains 100 mg or 200 mg of modafinil substance plus other inactive ingredients such as:

Croscarmellose sodium,
Stearate
Lactose monohydrate
Microcrystalline cellulose
Pregelatinized starch
Povidone

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved modafinil’s use as a treatment option narcolepsy in 1998. Later in 2003, the agency allowed its use towards treatments of shift work sleep disorders as well as obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea.

The theory behind the functioning of modafinil is that it promotes wakefulness by increasing levels of dopamine chemicals in the brain. When that happens therefore neuron-signal transmission gets interfered with. In this case, those signals to sleep does not reach the brain cells as required.

Benefits of Modafinil

When used correctly and for the prescribed purpose, Modafinil offers more health benefits relating to certain sleep disorders. Sleep is very crucial towards maintaining wellness of any human being.

However, in situations where sleep is in excess, medication action is highly relevant and necessary. Narcolepsy, as well as other sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea, may cause excessive sleep. This can keep you from performing at the workplace and it is unhealthy for any socio-economic development.

As approved by the FDA and other medical agencies and institutions, Modafinil helps treat conditions that cause excessive sleep. However, do not mistake it for an anti-sleep medication nor a drug to keep you active when tired. If you have no sleep disorder then do not use it to interfere with your usual sleep schedule.

For those who suffer narcolepsy or any of the sleeping disorders, this is a highly recommendable medication.

It cheers you up
It enhances your vigilance   
According to the University of Cambridge, Modafinil reduces impulse response and quick improper decision making
It eliminates sleepiness   
The medication improves your IQ, though for a short time

Dosage

Like most prescription drugs, taking modafinil will first require you to go through the medication guide issued to you by your doctor or pharmacist. Do this all the time, even when getting a refill, and also remember to ask any questions in case you do not understand some of the use instructions.

Modafinil’s dosage varies depending on one’s health condition as well as response to the treatment.

The regular administration procedure of this drug is by mouth with or without food – your doctors will let you know. For narcolepsy, you will have to take a daily dose as instructed by your doctor usually in the morning. Sometimes, it may be both in the morning and afternoon depending on your health condition as interpreted by your health care provider.

Those fighting obstructive sleep apnea should take this medication as prescribed alongside other treatments such as CPAP or a mouth device. Not unless your doctor instructs you otherwise should stop using these other treatments. If you are attending a work shift, be sure to take your medication one hour before; that way, it will be active by the reporting time.

Is Modafinil addictive?

An addictive drug tends to leave you with withdrawal symptoms once you suddenly stop using them. When you suddenly stop using Modafinil you are likely to experience symptoms such as, chills, sweating, confusion, nausea, shaking, and vomiting. They mostly occur if you have used the drug for far quite long. Usually, lowering your dosages is the safest withdrawal procedure for it.

For those who suffer substance use disorder, these symptoms could even be more severe. In this, we refer to those who use the drug alongside other substances such as alcohol. You should let your doctor know of any other substances you use – that would encourage proper dosing.

Side Effects of Modafinil

The utilization of Modafinil yields both short and long term effects. Some of these can either be severe or less depending on whether you are overdosing or not as well as the period of use.

Short-Term Side Effects

Typically, it will only take an hour before you begin experiencing the effects of this medication.  The most likely short term effects would include:

Headache
Nausea
Nervousness
Dizziness   
Difficulty acquiring sleep

 In infrequent occasions, worse symptoms may occur, and these may include;
Irregular breathing
Suicidal thoughts
Mood/ mental changes causing agitation
Increased heartbeats
Confusion
Depression
Hallucinations
Chest pains

Health specialist prescribes this medication having weighed the possible side effects against its benefits. Therefore, in most cases, few people experience any of these severe side effects. However, whenever you experience any of these, let your doctor know immediately.

Other rare cases include allergic reactions. These may include symptoms like fever, rash, itching/swelling of mostly the face, throat or tongue, severe dizziness, swollen lymph nodes, and trouble breathing. When they occur, quickly notify your doctor or pharmacist.

Long term effects

These side effects occur after a long period of use. The most typical one of them is addiction. You can acknowledge this when you suddenly stop using the medication – withdrawal symptoms will follow almost immediately. However, in rare cases patients suffer addiction from Modafinil.

Conclusion

Regardless of its substantial health benefits, Modafinil still is not a safe drug when you have to use it without a doctor’s prescription. For reasons of abuse, lots of states do not allow it as an over-the-counter types of drugs.

Modafinil comes with both long and short term effects, some of which could get severe. Thus, at any time you feel the need to take it to ensure you have a doctor’s prescription. Otherwise you may be putting your life into great danger. 

This is a guest blog entry.