Modavigil is used for improving the alertness and wakefulness in people with narcolepsy (the unwanted urge to sleep during daytime hours). It is believed that Modavigil acts on the central nervous system to promote wakefulness without the effects of others stimulants to overstimulate or produce a "high" feeling.
Dosage
Typically you will be prescribed to take 1 tablet in morning. You may also be prescribed to take another tablet at noon. However, you must take Modavigil / Provigil exactly as directed by your doctor or medical professional.
It is not advised to take Modavigil / Provigil later than noon as it may affect night time sleep patterns.
If you miss a dose, just take the next tablet at the usual time. Do not try to catch up the dose by taking extra tablets.
Side Effects
Some people have reported side effects after taking Modavigil / Provigil. Although it is considered uncommon for most, the following side effects may be experienced:
- headache
- nausea
- diarrhea
- dry mouth
- poor appetite
- runny nose
- sore throat
- nervousness
- dizziness
See your doctor if these side effects persist.
Precautions
Before taking Modavigil / Provigil:
- tell your doctor if you are allergic to modafinil or any other medications.
- tell your doctorwhat prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin); antidepressants such as clomipramine (Anafranil) and desipramine (Norpramin); antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); diazepam (Valium); medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), and phenytoin (Dilantin); monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate); propranolol (Inderal); and rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane). Your doctor may change the doses of your medications or monitor you more carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you drink large amounts of alcohol or have a history of drug abuse; if you have ever had chest pain, irregular heartbeats, or other heart problems after taking a CNS stimulant; and if you have or have ever had high blood pressure, a heart attack, angina (chest pain), mental illness, a historyof drug abuse; or heart, liver, or kidney disease.
- you should know that modafinil may decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives (birth control pills). Use another form of birth control while taking modafinil and for 1 month after you stop taking it.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking modafinil, call your doctor.
- you should know that modafinil may affect judgment or thinking. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
- avoid alcohol while taking modafinil.
If you have been taking this medicine for a long time or in large doses and you think you may have become mentally or physically dependent on it, check with your doctor. Some signs of dependence on Modavigil / Provigil are:
- a strong desire or need to continue taking the medicine.
- a need to increase the dose to receive the effects of the medicine.
- withdrawal side effects when you stop taking the medicine.
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