Provigil prescription

Provigil

This page contains drug information on Provigil.
The information provided includes the following:

what is Provigil
the possible side effects of Provigil
what happens if you miss a dose of Provigil
what happens if you overdose with Provigil
the most important information about Provigil
how to use Provigil
other drugs that may affect Provigil
what to avoid while using Provigil

Generic Name: modafinil (moe DA fih nill)
Brand Names: Provigil

What is the most important information I should know about modafinil?

•

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Modafinil may affect your judgment, thinking, or motor skills. If you experience any of these effects, avoid hazardous activities.

•

It is best to avoid alcohol while taking modafinil. Alcohol or modafinil may have altered effects if taken together.

•

Modafinil may decrease the effects of hormonal methods of birth control including birth control pills and depot and implantable formulations (e.g., Norplant, Depo-Provera). Use a second, nonhormonal form of birth control while taking modafinil, and for one month after stopping modafinil, if prevention of pregnancy is desired.

•

Modafinil may be habit forming. You should discuss the abuse and dependence potential of modafinil with your doctor. Do not stop taking modafinil without first talking to your doctor. Your doctor may want to gradually lower the dose of the medication before stopping treatment.

What is modafinil?

•

The exact way that modafinil works is not known.

•

Modafinil is used to improve wakefulness in patients with excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea/ hypoapnea syndrome (OSAHS), and shift work sleep disorder (SWSD).

•

Modafinil may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking modafinil?

•

Before taking modafinil, tell your doctor if you have

left ventricular hypertrophy (enlarged left heart ventricle);

chest pain, irregular heartbeats, or other symptoms of mitral valve prolapse due to central nervous system stimulant use;

a recent history of a heart attack;

high blood pressure;

angina (chest pain);

abused medicines called stimulants or street drugs;

a history of mental illness;

kidney disease; or

liver disease.

•

You may not be able to take modafinil, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

•

Modafinil is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take modafinil without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

•

It is not known whether modafinil passes into breast milk. Do not take modafinil without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

•

If you are older than 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from modafinil. You may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment.

How should I take modafinil?

•

Take modafinil exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

•

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

•

Modafinil can be taken with or without food.

•

Modafinil is usually taken once a day. Follow your doctor's instructions.

•

It is important to take modafinil regularly to get the most benefit.

•

Modafinil is not a replacement for sleep. Modafinil may reduce the signs of sleepiness, but may not completely treat this problem. Some drowsiness may continue. Potentially hazardous activities such as driving or operating machinery should only be performed if the level of wakefulness achieved is sufficient to permit such activities.

•

Other treatments such as CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) use should be continued as directed by your doctor if you have obstructive sleep apnea/ hypoapnea syndrome (OSAHS) and are taking modafinil.

•

Store modafinil at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

•

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember as directed by your doctor. A missed dose taken late in the waking day may cause insomnia. If you don't remember until it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What happens if I overdose?

•

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

•

Symptoms of a modafinil overdose may include excitation, agitation, insomnia, sleep disturbances, anxiety, irritability, aggressiveness, confusion, nervousness, tremor, palpitations, nausea, and diarrhea.

What should I avoid while taking modafinil?

•

It is best to avoid alcohol while taking modafinil. Alcohol or modafinil may have altered effects if taken together.

•

What are the possible side effects of modafinil?

•

If you experience any of the following uncommon but serious side effects, stop taking modafinil and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

irregular heartbeats;

low or high blood pressure; or

shortness of breath.

•

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take modafinil and talk to your doctor if you experience

headache;

infection;

nausea, decreased appetite, or diarrhea;

chills;

dry mouth;

runny nose;

sore throat;

nervousness;

anxiety;

dizziness;

insomnia;

depression; or

numbness or tingling.

•

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect modafinil?

•

Before taking modafinil, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:

a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAO inhibitor) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil);

a tricyclic antidepressant such as clomipramine (Anafranil) or desipramine (Norpramin);

another CNS stimulant such as amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (Adderall), methylphenidate (Ritalin, Methylin, Metadate ER, Concerta), pemoline (Cylert), and others;

phenytoin (Dilantin);

carbamazepine (Tegretol);

phenobarbital;

rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane);

ketoconazole (Nizoral);

itraconazole (Sporanox);

cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune);

theophylline (Theolair, Theochron, Theo-Bid, Theo-Dur, Elixophyllin, Slo-Phyllin, and others);

warfarin (Coumadin);

diazepam (Valium); or

propranolol (Inderal).

•

You may not be able to take modafinil, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

•

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with modafinil. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking or using any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

•

Your pharmacist has more information about modafinil written for health professionals that you may read.

•

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

•

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/ or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Read Full Provigil Review