Modafinil
About
Modafinil belongs to a group of medicines called 'stimulant' used to improve wakefulness in adult patients with narcolepsy (excessive and uncontrollable daytime sleepiness). Narcolepsy is a medical condition in which a person faces excessive daytime sleepiness and face sleep attacks that make a person fall asleep suddenly in inappropriate situations.
Modafinil contains ‘Modafinil’ which is responsible for improving narcolepsy and reducing the symptoms of the possibility of sleep attacks. It works by enhancing the amount of a chemical messenger known as 'dopamine' in the brain which controls the sleep-wake cycle of our body. It reduces the reuptake of dopamine into nerves. Dopamine is a chemical neurotransmitter that is used by nerves for communication purposes.
Take this medicine as prescribed. You may experience unpleasant effects of Modafinil that include headache, diarrhoea, back pain, feeling anxious, nausea, trouble sleeping, feeling nervous, dizziness, stuffy nose, and upset stomach. However, consult with your doctor if the symptoms continue for more than days or become severe, then seek medical attention immediately.
The use of Modafinil is not allowed in persons who are allergic to any of its constituent presents in it, so tell your doctor before taking this medicine. This medicine cannot be used in children below 18 years of age. A woman who is pregnant or thinking to be pregnant or breastfeeding or planning to be pregnant is not allowed to take this medicine so tell your doctor before taking medicine. Tell your doctor if you had heart problems or high blood pressure or depression, low mood, anxiety, or psychosis, before taking this medicine.
Uses of Modafinil
Medicinal Benefits
Modafinil belongs to the category of 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.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Modafinil
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Back pain
- Feeling anxious
- Nausea
- Trouble sleeping
- Feeling nervous
- Dizziness
- Stuffy nose
- Upset stomach.
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
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.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Modafinil can interact with hormonal contraceptives pills, antacids (omeprazole), anti-epilepsy medications (carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin), anti-depressants (amitriptyline, citalopram), anxiety disorder drugs (diazepam), blood pressure-lowering pills (amlodipine, verapamil).
Drug-Food Interaction: A person taking Modafinil should avoid taking grapefruit-juice and grapefruit that increases actions or side effects of this medicine.
Drug-Disease Interaction: To make sure this medicine is safe or you, tell your doctor if you have angina (chest pain), cirrhosis or other liver problem, kidney disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, or history of heart attack, a history of mental illness or psychosis, history of alcoholism or drug addiction.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeA person should avoid consuming alcohol while taking this medicine as alcohol can worsen the side effects of the medication.
Pregnancy
cautionA woman who is pregnant should contact a doctor before using Modafinil. Modafinil is suspected of causing congenital disabilities in the unborn baby.
Breast Feeding
cautionA woman who is breastfeeding should avoid taking Modafinil as it is suspected to pass into breast milk and can affect the baby. Consult a doctor before using Modafinil.
Driving
unsafeModafinil may cause blurred vision or dizziness so while using this medication a person should not attempt to drive or operate machinery
Liver
cautionModafinil should only be given to patients dealing with liver disorders if strictly suggested by the doctor. Thus, one should tell their doctor if the history of liver disease as their doctor will reduce the dose.
Kidney
cautionModafinil should only be given to patients dealing with kidney disorders if strictly suggested by the doctor. Thus, one should tell their doctor if the history of kidney disease as their doctor will reduce the dose.
Children
unsafeThis medicine is not allowed in Children aged less than 12 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid heavy meals that are high in carbohydrates, so include nutritious food in your diet.
- Try to make a regular bedtime and close your light to make the room dark which helps you to sleep better.
- Try to avoid heavy meals before bed as it will reduce the chances of acidity, and the person can sleep well.
- Try to take strategic naps throughout the day, which will make you feel refreshed and productive.
- Try to avoid sitting for long periods of time, which increases the chance of sleepiness so stand up and go outside at regular intervals.
Special Advise
- Certain diagnostic tests that can help in diagnosing narcolepsy are the polysomnogram (PSG) and the multiple sleep latency tests (MSLT).
- Modafinil should not be used in the children less than 17 years of age.
- Modafinil can affect your judgment and reaction time, so do not drive a motor vehicle, do hazardous tasks, or operate any heavy machinery after taking Modafinil.
- Modafinil is usually prescribed for only 12 weeks. However, if still, your symptoms do not improve, then consult a doctor.
- Using CPAP can help you to cope with sleep apnoea problems (breathing trouble affecting sleep).
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Narcolepsy: It is a medical condition of the nervous system that causes excessive sleepiness during daytime and makes a person fall asleep suddenly inappropriate situations (sleep attacks). A person dealing with this disease can face symptoms like falling asleep in mid of conversation, sleep paralysis (feeling paralyzed during sleep), hypnogogic hallucinations (hallucinations before you fall asleep), hypnopompic hallucinations (hallucinations occurring in the middle of the night).
FAQs
Modafinil works by increasing the amount of a chemical known as dopamine in the brain by reducing the reabsorption of dopamine into nerves. Thus, 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.
A person should tell their doctor if they have a history of mental health problems, heart problems, high blood pressure, liver or kidney problems, or have a history of drug or alcohol abuse.
Persons who have sleep disorders should be extra careful about driving or operating any machine that can be dangerous. Try not to change your daily habits until your doctor tells you to do so.
A woman who is using any type of hormonal birth control method that includes implants, patches, vaginal rings, birth control pills, should tell their doctor before taking Modafinil as this medicine can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills and a higher chance of getting pregnant. For men, it is advised to use contraceptives devices like condoms instead of oral contraceptives.
