Modafinil is an FDA-approved medication for treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder.

It does not cure these conditions and should not be used as a substitute for getting enough sleep. This medicine is a federally controlled substance (C-IV) and may be abused or addictive.

How to Take

This medicine usually works best when it is taken first thing in the morning. It may help to drink some fluids before taking this medication.

This drug is in a class of medications called wakefulness-promoting agents. It increases alertness and reduces sleepiness caused by narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, or shift work sleep disorder. It is also used along with other treatments to decrease excessive sleepiness caused by obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

Before taking modafinil 200mg australia, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, or a history of depression or suicidal thoughts. It is important to avoid alcohol and other drugs that can affect your ability to stay awake while you are taking this medication. If you start to feel dizzy or lightheaded, do not drive or use machinery. This drug may cause a severe, sometimes fatal skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, DRESS). Get medical help right away if you notice any blisters or sores on the skin, inside your mouth or lips, or any other unusual symptoms.

This drug may be habit-forming. It is important to take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor to lower your risk of addiction.

Side Effects

Modafinil is a medication that promotes wakefulness. It is used to treat excessive sleepiness in people with conditions such as narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, or obstructive sleep apnea. It is also sometimes prescribed for people who are experiencing depression, idiopathic hypersomnia, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder to help them stay awake and alert.

This medication is taken orally and usually taken once a day in the morning. For shift work sleep disorder, it is often taken 1 hour before the start of the shift. Your doctor may change your dose or the time of day that you take this medication based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

The most common side effects associated with this drug are gastrointestinal events (nausea, dyspepsia) and nervousness. Other side effects that have been reported include headache, anxiety, and euphoria. In clinical trials, both once-daily regimens of 200 mg and 400 mg of modafinil significantly improved wakefulness compared to placebo.

Some people who take buy modalert 200 australia will develop a skin rash. This rash can be serious and you should seek emergency medical care if you experience it. Other signs of a severe allergic reaction to modafinil include difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, and swelling of the hands or feet. Some people who take this medication will develop a rash within months after starting it, while others will develop a rash several weeks later.

Precautions

While modafinil is very safe and has been used in thousands of patients, some people may experience adverse reactions. The most common side effects are headache and anxiety. Other rare but serious side effects are rashes, chest pain, nervousness, and hallucinations.

Modafinil has several advantages over other wakefulness-promoting medications. It does not cause the high that occurs with many CNS stimulants (such as amphetamine and methylphenidate) and is well tolerated at doses of 200 mg per day. It does not interfere with sleep in people who take it for narcolepsy or shift work disorder.

It also increases the effectiveness of some sedatives, including antidepressants and benzodiazepines. It may interact with other drugs that affect the heart or blood pressure, such as clonidine, phenytoin, clomipramine, and diuretics. It can decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, so women should use a backup form of birth control while taking it. It can increase the side effects of other medications that are metabolized by CYP3A4/5 (such as steroidal contraceptives, midazolam, and triazolam), so they should be taken at least two hours apart.

Modafinil will decrease your sleepiness, but it will not cure your sleep disorder. Continue to follow your doctor’s recommendations for good sleeping habits, especially getting enough sleep, and continue any treatments that you are using to treat your narcolepsy or sleep apnea.

Storage

Modafinil is a wakefulness-promoting agent. It is a racemic compound (2-[(diphenylmethyl)sulfinyl]acetamide). Modafinil tablets, USP contain 100 mg or 200 mg of modafinil and the inactive ingredients croscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose and povidone.

The drug exerts its wakefulness-promoting action by binding to and blocking the activation of dopamine DAT (dopamine transporter) in the brain. It does not induce sympathomimetic effects, cause sleep rebound or have abuse liability in naive individuals. However, it may produce psychoactive and euphoric effects and affect mood, perception, thinking and feelings similar to other CNS stimulants. It is reinforcing and has been shown to induce self-administration in monkeys trained to do so with cocaine or methylphenidate.

Postmarketing adverse reactions have included mania, delusions and hallucinations. Many of these patients had a prior history of psychiatric illness.

Modafinil does not cure obstructive sleep apnea, so you should continue to follow your doctor’s instructions for treating the underlying condition. You should also get plenty of rest. Ask your doctor about alternative ways to help you sleep better including reviewing your caffeine intake. You should also avoid drinking alcohol. If you have a history of addiction or mental illness, tell your doctor.