| Modafinil is a medication that belongs to the Eugeroic group ( a group that promotes wakefulness) and helps to treat various sleep disorders, along with off-label uses like ADHD, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, etc. The medication, along with various others, also has side effects that are milder, like fever, headache, nausea, etc. |
Are you tired during the day? Or do you suffer from sleep ailments? There are various prescription drugs available on the market to help you manage these problems. One such effective prescription drug is Modafinil 200 mg.
In this blog, we have discussed everything that one should be aware of about Modafinil.
What is Modafinil?
Modafinil is a central nervous system stimulant that helps in the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness associated with sleep disorders like narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work disorders.
The compound was developed in the 1970s by French neuroscientists Michel Jouvet and L. Lafon Laboratories in France.
Modafinil belongs to the Schedule IV controlled substance, approved by the FDA in 1998. It is sold under brand names like modalert, modvigil, provigil, etc. [1].
What Are The Uses And Benefits Of Modafinil?
The clinical use of Modafinil is to treat excessive daytime sleepiness associated with sleep disorders like-
- Narcolepsy, which is a neurological disorder that causes irregularities in the sleep cycle,
- Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that blocks the airways and causes fragmentation in the sleep cycle. This problem is generally seen among all age groups, where the frequency increases with age and obesity. One of the major symptoms of the disorder is snoring.
- Shift work disorder is a disorder found among shift workers who work for non-traditional hours. This disorder causes irregularities in the sleep cycle and deactivation among the workers.
Modafinil, as a nootropic, helps in the regulation of the sleep cycle.
Off-label Uses of Modafinil
Five important off-label uses of Modafinil are-
1. ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a chronic neurological disorder that causes behavioral changes. One of the symptoms of the disorder is being overly active.
2. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a disorder that is characterized by profound fatigue and sleep abnormalities.
3. Modafinil helps with Depression, a condition associated with the elevation or lowering of a person’s mood. It negatively affects your mood and changes the way you think, behave, or act.
4. Jet lag is a sleep disorder that affects those who travel across multiple time zones.
5. Modafinil for studying- Modafinil increases memory, focus, and concentration. The medication helps students study and secure good marks in exams.
Modafinil is effective in treating the symptoms of the above disorders.
Modafinil Working Mechanism
Modafinil, as a nootropic, effectively helps in increasing neurotransmitters (chemical messengers) like serotonin, thyroxin, orexin, histamine, and dopamine and decreasing the levels of GABA, resulting in reduced sleepiness.
Pharmacokinetics of Modafinil–
Three simple steps are followed in the pharma-co-kinetics process-
1. The medication is readily absorbed after administration.
2. The drug is then metabolized in the liver.
3. The tablet is then excreted by the kidneys through urine.
- Modafinil starts working within 30 minutes after administration.
However, the duration might vary from patient to patient depending on two basic factors- age and health conditions (kidney and liver dysfunction).
Modafinil takes 2-4 hours to reach its peak after administration.
- The half-life (the amount of time required by a medicine to reduce its half from the body) of Modafinil is 12-15 hours. A total of 4-5 half-lives are required to be completely removed from the system.
- Therefore, the effects of Modafinil last for about 60-75 hours [2].
Modafinil Dosage Regimen
Modafinil comes in dosage strengths of 100-200mg, and it might vary from person to person depending on factors like-
- Age (a lower dose is recommended for people over 65 years of age).
- Health conditions (kidney and liver dysfunction).
However, the standard recommended dosage of Modafinil is 200mg/day for adults over 16 years old. The maximum dosage of Modafinil is 400mg/day.
The dosage should be taken regularly at the same time of the day for better effectiveness; the doses are generally taken in the morning in order to avoid insomnia.
Missed Dose of Modafinil
If you miss a Modafinil dosage, you can skip the missed dose and follow your normal dosage schedule.
Overdose of Modafinil
You should not double the doses; it might lead to an overdose [3].
NOTE: Use of Modafinil is found to be safe and well-tolerated for 40 weeks, according to a study by MM. Mitler and others published in 2000.
Taking Modafinil for more than 40 weeks should be consulted with your doctor.
How To Take Modafinil?
Modafinil comes in tablet form and should be taken in the following ways-
1. Swallow the tablet with a glass of water.
2. Do not crush or chew the tablet.
3. You can take the tablet without food or with a light meal, as the doctor prescribes.
4. Avoid taking alcohol while taking the medication; this might make you feel more dizzy.
Precautionary Measures While taking Modafinil
There are five important precautionary measures or warnings that are to be followed while administering Modafinil. They are as follows-
1. Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any ingredient in Modafinil.
2. You should always consult with your doctor about your medical history if you have problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney or liver dysfunction before taking the medication.
3. Avoid doing activities that require immediate action, such as operating heavy machinery or driving, while taking the medication.
4. You should not take contraceptives with Modafinil
5. You should avoid the medication at the stage of breastfeeding; this might harm your baby.
What Are the Potential Side Effects of Modafinil?
Modafinil, along with its advantages, also has potential side effects but is milder in nature.
Ten noteworthy side effects of Modafinil are listed below-
1. Black tarry stools
2. Increased thirst and urination
3. Dizziness
4. Sore-throat
5. Confusion
6. Chest pain
7. Uncontrolled movements of the face, mouth, or tongue
8. Vomiting
9. Stomach discomfort or pain
10. Indigestion [4].
If any of the above symptoms occur and do not go away on their own, you should consult with your doctor or visit a nearby hospital.
NOTE: Always take the medication with proper consultation with your doctor.
Modafinil Interactions
There are overall 463 drugs known to interact with Modafinil. 9 disease interactions and 2 alcohol/food interactions. Out of the total drug interactions, 71 are major, 211 are moderate, and 181 are minor interactions.
As it is not possible to mention all the drug interactions, five notable ones are listed below-
1. Amphetamine (Adderall)- Modafinil and Adderall have a minor interaction. According to pharmacokinetic studies, a single dose of Modafinil interacts with amphetamine and delays the absorption process by approximately 1 hour.
2. Klonopin- A minor interaction prevails between Klonopin and modafinil. When both drugs are administered together, it decreases the plasma concentrations of the drugs, which are substrates of the CYP450 3A4 isoenzyme.
3. Lexapro- A moderate interaction prevails between Lexapro and modafinil. Taking both medications together might increase blood levels. Symptoms like high blood pressure, increased heart rate, fever, and confusion might occur.
4. Vyvanse- The interaction of modafinil with Vyvanse is a minor one. In the pharmacokinetic studies, it was found that the interaction of both substances led to a delay in the absorption process by 1 hour.
5. Xanax- A minor interaction prevails between Xanax and modafinil. The combination of both drugs might decrease the plasma concentrations of the CYP4503A4 isoenzyme.
Four disease interactions are listed below-
1. Cardiac disease
2. Seizures
3. Psychiatric disorders
4. Psychotic disorders
Two Alcohol/food Interactions are-
1. When the medicine is taken with food, the absorption process slows down, affecting the overall bioavailability.
2. Taking alcohol along with the medication might make you feel more dizzy.
Modafinil Storage
Keep the medication out of the reach of children. You should keep the medication in a closed, air-tight container, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Modafinil: Conclusion
Modafinil is a medication that helps treat excessive sleepiness associated with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work disorders. 200mg of Modafinil is the standard recommended dosage for adults over 16 years of age. It starts working within 30 minutes after consumption, and the effects of the medication last for about 60-75 hours. It is one of the safest smart drugs on the market, with a better tolerability and safety profile.
If you wish to give Modafinil a try to boost your brain activity, wakefulness, and alertness, choose reliable sources such as HealthMatter online pharmacy. With a motto to make healthcare affordable and accessible to all, Health Matter offers discounted Modafinil 200 mg tablets with free shipping on all orders.
Faq
1. What Kind Of Stimulant Is Modafinil?
Modafinil is a non-amphetamine central nervous system stimulant.
2. Is It Safe To Take Modafinil Every Day?
Yes, it is safe to take Modafinil every day, as it has a low potential for abuse.
3. Is Modafinil Hard On Your Heart?
Modafinil may affect your heart, with people having heart disease such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations.
4. Is Modafinil A Narcotic?
Yes, Modafinil is a narcotic and belongs to Schedule IV controlled substances.
5. How Long Does It Take For Modafinil To Kick In?
Modafinil takes 30 minutes to kick in.
References
1. Modafinil Guide, Health Matter
2. How long does Modafinil last? Healthnaturo
3. Modafinil Dosage, Health Matter
4. Modafinil Dangers- Recognizing And Managing Modafinil Side Effects, Healthnaturo.