Yashoda Hospitals > Medicine FAQS > Modafinil

Modafinil: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What is modafinil?

Modafinil is an oral drug that improves wakefulness in adults with excessive sleeping troubles. It helps you stay awake if your work schedule keeps you away from a regular sleep schedule.
Modafinil does not cure sleep disorders but mitigates sleepiness in the patient. However, while using modafinil, you should not treat it as a substitute for sleep. This stimulant drug has less potential for abuse since it does not provide any pleasurable effects.

What are the uses of modafinil?

Modafinil treats clinical conditions linked to excessive or daytime sleepiness. The drug is prescribed to patients suffering from narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, and shift work sleep disorder.
Modafinil can work by increasing dopamine, a chemical neurotransmitter, in the brain and decreasing its reuptake by the nerves. It thus stimulates mood and increases memory performance. In this way, it can be used to treat ADHD (attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder), age-related memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, etc.

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    What are the side effects of modafinil?

    When compared to other stimulant drugs, the side effects of modafinil are very minimal. However, patients can experience some typical side-effects like:

    • Drowsiness
    • Headache
    • Nausea
    • Difficulty in falling asleep
    • Diarrhea
    • Mood swings
    • Agitation and depression
    • Tight muscles, difficulty in movement
    • Burning, tingling, or numbness of the skin
    • Dryness – dry mouth, excessive thirst, nosebleeds

    Some patients may develop allergic reactions such as skin rashes, chest pain, fever, troubled breathing, or increased heartbeat. In case of any severe side effects, get in touch with our team at Yashoda Hospitals for further assistance.

    What is Modafinil

    Uses of Modafinil

    Side effects of Modafinil

    References

    1. Modafinil | Benefits, Side Effects, & More
    2. Modafinil-Induced Psychosis: A Case Report
    3. Modafinil
    4. Drug for sleepy heads turns addiction tool | Delhi News
    5. New (But Still Not Enough) Data on Modafinil and Pregnancy
    6. Common and Rare Side Effects for modafinil oral

    Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.

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    Frequently Asked Questions about Modafinil

    Ritalin (or methylphenidate) is used to treat narcolepsy and mainly ADHD. The drug helps the patient to stay focused on an activity. They are sometimes used together to promote cognitive performance. Research shows that adverse interaction between Ritalin and modafinil is unlikely. To ensure that you are safely consuming both medications in the optimal doses, fix an appointment with us.

    General practitioners, neurologists, psychiatrists, and sleep specialists can prescribe modafinil. In some cases, a pulmonologist who believes that your respiratory troubles are disturbing your sleep patterns may also prescribe the medication. In any case, always inform your physician about any prior allergies to the drug or severe pre-existing conditions, like heart problems.

    Some people who used Modafinil have reported mental health issues like depression that manifests in fatigue and loss of energy. Such side effects very rarely turn severe. In most cases, mental health issues are more due to related underlying conditions than the drug itself. Modafinil's mechanism is also unique. Thus, certain studies have also proved that modafinil can be coupled with other antidepressants for better efficiency.

    Modafinil does offer cognitive benefits like high memory retention, higher productivity, increased energy levels, and an elevated mood. However, it does not give you a sense of euphoria. Some individual cases that have reported feeling ‘high’ while using modafinil had exceeded the recommended daily dosage by a minimum of five times.

    Generally, Modafinil can stay in your system for about 10 to 12 hours. After multiple doses, the patient can feel the impact of the drug for about 15 hours. Their diet, weight, and overall health may impact the time taken for the drug's effect to leave the system. However, how the body absorbs and processes modafinil is independent of time.

    You should take modafinil as directed by the physician. You can take it with or without food. Generally, the doctor recommends taking the medication in the morning hours during the treatment of narcolepsy. If you are working during the night, you should be taking it during the night hours. Take the drug at the same time every day.

    The recommended modafinil dosage will differ from one patient to another. A daily dose of 200mg is the most widely accepted one. However, as mentioned earlier, follow your doctor's prescription for the amount and frequency of dosage. Do not stop the medication without letting your doctor know. Get a medical opinion to learn more about the dosage best for you.

    Modafinil is a legal, recognized drug prescribed by doctors across the country. However, it is not legal to sell the drug without a prescription. A survey conducted a few years ago by a popular news agency revealed that a few chemists are already offering the drug as an OTC medicine.

    • If you take modafinil, you may want to check for the following conditions as they are believed to be contraindicated with the drug:
    • High blood pressure
    • Heart issues such as angina, ventricular hypertrophy, mitral valve prolapse syndrome, etc.
    • Renal impairment
    • Liver problems
    Pregnant women, as well as women planning to become pregnant, should not opt for modafinil.

    There are no recorded deaths to date caused by modafinil. However, some reported cases indicating adverse effects of overdose are present. Those with prevalent heart conditions should not opt for modafinil as it can prove to be fatal in these cases. However, these cases are very rare. In general, modafinil is considered a well-tolerated and safe drug. Modafinil has been around for many years and has shown significant results in its intended area of use. Like any other drug, it has alternative side effects too. To know more about the drug and its uses and benefits, talk to our expert team at Yashoda Hospitals.