Provigil - What is it?
Provigil, active ingredient modafinil, is a medication that is available by prescription only. It is used to treat those with certain disorders that cause people to feel extremely sleepy. This medication has been approved for the treatment of those that suffer from extreme feelings of sleepiness due to conditions such as:
SWSD, or shift work sleep disorder, which occurs in those that work nights or have frequent changes between works shifts of the day and night
Narcolepsy
Sleep apnea which is also called hypopnea syndrome or obstructive sleep apnea.
Who manufactures Provigil?
Provigil is manufactured by Cephalon, Inc.
How It works
It isn't exactly known how Provigil helps to keep patients awake. Unlike other stimulants, this medication works with brain chemicals, but it doesn't seem to be what makes it work, since it has been found that when Provigil's effect on these chemicals is blocked, it still works.
Potential Side Effects
As is the case with all medications, there is the potential for side effects, but not all taking this medication will notice side effects, since it is generally well tolerated. If you do notice side effects, they are usually minor and require little or no treatment. Less common are the risks for serious side effects.
Commonly reported side effects might include: nausea, insomnia, nervousness, headaches and anxiety.
What If I miss a dose?
Most of the time, if you miss a dose of this medication, it is best to skip the dose you missed because taking it too late can cause you to have trouble sleeping and can even make your sleeplessness worse. If you do remember in just a few hours, it is probably okay to take the dose you missed.
