Modafinil: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What drug Modafinil?

What is Modafinil for?

Modafinil is a drug with a function to reduce extreme drowsiness due to narcolepsy and other sleep disorders, such as periods of stopping breathing during sleep (obstructive sleep apnea). This medication is also used to help you stay awake during work hours if you have a work schedule that makes you have to stay up all day (sleep disturbance due to shift work).

This drug does not cure sleep disorders and it is unlikely to get rid of your drowsiness completely. Modafinil cannot replace sleep. This medicine should not be used to treat fatigue or delay sleep in people who do not have sleep disorders.

It is not yet known how modafinil works to keep someone awake. Allegedly, this drug works by affecting certain parts of the brain that control sleep / wake cycles.

Modafinil dosage and modafinil side effects are described further below.

How do I use Modafinil?

For narcolepsy, take this medication with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily in the morning. Alternatively, your doctor may arrange the total daily dose of modafinil into a morning dose and a noon dose.

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

If you are taking modafinil for sleep disorders due to shift work, take it as directed by your doctor, usually once daily 1 hour before you work.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and your body's response to treatment. Use this remedy regularly for effective results.

Along with its use, this drug will cause addiction. This can be compounded if you have abused alcohol or drugs. Take this medication exactly as prescribed to reduce the risk of addiction.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse.

How do I store Modafinil?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Modafinil Dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the Modafinil dosage for adults?

Adult Dose for Narcolepsy

200 mg taken daily in the morning

Adult Dose for Obstructive Sleep Apnea / Hypopnea Syndrome

200 mg taken daily in the morning

Usual Adult Dose for Sleep Disorders due to Shift Work

200 mg taken by mouth once a day, one hour before the start of a work shift

What is the dosage of Modafinil for children?

Usual Pediatric Dose for Attention Deficit Disorder

Not yet FDA approved. Reports of serious dermatological side effects and psychiatric problems have prompted the FDA's Pediatric Advisory Committee to issue specific warnings regarding the use of modafinil in children to be added to the manufacturer's label; use only if the first and second treatments are unsuccessful and not risky. Children less than 30 kg: 200-340 mg once daily. Children over 30 kg: 300-425 m.

In what dosage is Modafinil available?

Tablet, Oral: 100 mg, 200 mg.

Modafinil side effects

What side effects can I experience due to Modafinil?

Get medical help if you experience any of these signs as an allergic reaction: hives; hard to breath; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using modafinil and contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Fever, sore throat, headache, and vomiting with high body temperature, skin rash, peeling, and redness
• Bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness
• Bruising or bleeding easily
• White patches or sores inside your mouth or lips
• Hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior
• Depression, anxiety, aggression
• Chest pain, irregular heartbeat

Less serious side effects include:

• Headache, dizziness
• Feeling nervous or restless
• Nausea, diarrhea
• Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
• Dry mouth

Not everyone experiences these side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns regarding side effects, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Modafinil Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Modafinil?

Before using modafinil,

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to modafinil, armodafinil (Nuvigil), or any other medication.
• Contact your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription or nonprescription drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to name one of the following drugs: anticoagulants (“blood thinners”) such as warfarin (Coumadin); certain antidepressants such as amitriptyline, amoxapine, clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil); certain antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); diazepam (Valium); certain medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital, and phenytoin (Dilantin); monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate); propranolol (Inderal); Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); and triazolam (Halcion). Many other medicines can also interact with modafinil, so be sure to tell your doctor about all drugs you use, even those not on this list. Your doctor may need to change your medication dose or monitor you carefully to prevent side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you drink or have used large amounts of alcohol, have used street drugs, or have used more than prescribed medications, especially stimulants. Also tell your doctor if you have ever had chest pain, irregular heartbeat, or other heart problems after using stimulants, and if you have or have ever had high blood pressure. heart attack; chest pain; mental illness such as depression, mania (frenzy, sudden excitement), or psychosis (difficulty thinking clearly, communicating, understanding reality, and behaving strangely); or heart, liver, or kidney disease problems.
• You should know that modafinil can decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, implants, injections, and IUDs). Use another birth control medication while you are on modafinil and also for 1 month after you stop using it. Tell your doctor about the type of birth control that is right for you during and after treatment using modafinil.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking modafinil, call your doctor.
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking modafinil.
• You should know that modafinil can affect thinking and may not completely relieve your drowsiness caused by the disorder. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug works on your body. If you don't drive and do other dangerous activities because of a sleep disorder, don't do these activities again without talking to your doctor even if you feel more alert.
• Be aware that you should avoid alcohol while using modafinil.

Is Modafinil safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

It is not yet known whether modafinil passes into breast milk or not, or whether it could harm the baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Modafinil Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Modafinil?

Drug interactions can change how medications work or increase the risk of serious side effects. It is likely that this document does not list all drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription or nonprescription medicines and herbal products) and tell your doctor and pharmacist. Do not take, stop, or change the dose of any medication you are taking without your doctor's permission.

• Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf)
• Propranolol (Inderal)
• Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater)
• Sedatives such as diazepam (Valium), midazolam (experienced), or triazolam (Halcion)
• Antifungal medications such as itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• Seizure medications such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton)
• Antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others
• MAO inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate)

Can food or alcohol interact with Modafinil?

Certain medications should not be used during or around the time of eating or consuming certain types of food because interactions can occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions. Talk to your health care professional about drug use with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

What health conditions can interact with Modafinil?

The presence of other medical problems can affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Alcohol abuse
• Drug abuse or dependence. Drug dependence is more at risk for developing other diseases
• Untreated angina (severe chest pain)
• Heart attack
• Heart disease. Use with care. It is not known how modafinil will affect this condition
• Depression
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Mania
• Psychosis (mental illness). Use with care. Likely to make conditions worse
• Left ventricular hypertrophy (heart disease)
• Mitral valve prolapse (heart disease) after receiving CNS stimulants. Use is not recommended in patients with this condition
• Severe liver disease. Use with care. You may need a dosage adjustment. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about this

Modafinil overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Symptoms of an overdose include:

• Hard to sleep
• Agitation
• Restless
• Confused
• Hallucinations (seeing things or hearing voices that are not there)
• Nervous
• The body was shaking uncontrollably
• Fast or slowed or pounding heartbeat
• Chest pain
• Nausea
• Diarrhea

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.