ABOUT PROVIGIL 

• Provigil reduces extreme sleepiness due to narcolepsy and other sleep disorders, such as periods of stopped breathing during sleep (obstructive sleep apnea). It is also used to help you stay awake during work hours if you have a work schedule that keeps you from having a normal sleep routine (shift work sleep disorder). 

• This medication does not cure these sleep disorders and may not get rid of all your sleepiness. Modafinil does not take the place of getting enough sleep. It should not be used to treat tiredness or hold off sleep in people who do not have a sleep disorder.

• It is not known how modafinil works to keep you awake. It is thought to work by affecting certain substances in the brain that control the sleep/wake cycle.

HOW TO USE PROVIGIL

• For​ narcolepsy, take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily in the morning. Or, if your doctor directs you to, the total daily dose of modafinil may be divided into a morning dose and a noon dose.

• For obstructive sleep apnea, take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily in the morning. Continue your other treatment (such as the CPAP machine, mouth device) unless your doctor tells you to stop.

• If you are using modafinil for shift work sleep disorder, take it by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once a day 1 hour before you start your work shift.

• The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it.

• If you suddenly stop using this medication, you may have withdrawal symptoms (such as shaking, sweating, chills, nausea, vomiting, confusion). To help prevent withdrawal, your doctor may lower your dose slowly. Withdrawal is more likely if you have used modafinil for a long time or in high doses. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you have withdrawal.

• When this medication is used for a long time, it may not work as well. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.

• Though it helps many people, this medication may sometimes cause addiction. This risk may be higher if you have a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). Take this medication exactly as prescribed to lower the risk of addiction.

MEDICINAL BENEFITS

Provigil belongs to the category of the stimulant indicated to improve wakefulness in persons who feel very sleepy due to narcolepsy. It works by increasing the amount of a chemical known as dopamine in the brain by reducing the reabsorption of dopamine into nerves. Dopamine is a chemical neurotransmitter that is used by nerves to send signals for communication purposes. In this way, it helps a person to stay awake during their office hours or for performing normal activities of the day and to have a  normal sleep routine. 

IN-DEPTH PRECAUTIONS

A person should tell their doctor straight away if they are feeling depressed, aggressive towards other people. Tell your doctor if your using Hormonal contraceptives like contraceptive pills as MODAFINIL can reduce their effectiveness and increase the chances of pregnancy. A pregnant or breastfeeding women should not use MODAFINIL without asking the doctor as this medicine can cause birth defects during pregnancy and can pas in breastmilk as well. This medicine contains lactose so tell your doctor if you have an intolerance to some sugars. This is a habit-forming medicine so do not change the dose or use it for a longer time without asking the doctor.

​​SIDE EFFECTS

• Headache, nausea, nervousness, dizziness, or difficulty sleeping may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

• Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

• Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, mental/mood changes (such as agitation, confusion, depression, hallucinations, rare thoughts of suicide).

• Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: chest pain.

• A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: fever, swollen lymph nodes, rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

• This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.