Modafinil 200 Australia (Provigil) is in a class of medications called wakefulness promoting agents. It is used to treat excessive sleepiness caused by narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.
In large clinical trials, modafinil significantly improved MSLT and MWT sleep latency, decreased ESS and KSS scores, and increased patient ratings of wakefulness. Modafinil was well tolerated.
How Does Modafinil Work?
Modafinil promotes wakefulness and is used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness in people with conditions such as narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, or obstructive sleep apnea. The drug is not a cure for these disorders, but it helps people feel more awake during the day.
Modafinil starts working within 2 hours of taking a dose, and peak plasma concentrations are reached in about 1-2 hours. The drug can affect your thinking or reaction time, so be careful if you drive or use machinery. It may also hide signs of tiredness in some people.
In a 12-week placebo-controlled study, modafinil improved objective measures of wakefulness on the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), and decreased scores on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).
Performance and exhaustion during a night shift were also improved with the medication, and fewer mistakes, accidents, or missed appointments occurred in those treated with the drug. In the same trial, modafinil was found to be superior to placebo in improving wakefulness during a morning shift.
How Long Does Modafinil Take to Work?
Modafinil (Modvigil 200 mg) is a central nervous system stimulant that promotes wakefulness. It is chemically unrelated to and pharmacologically distinct from other CNS stimulants such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate (Shelton et al 1995).
In several large-scale, double-blind placebo-controlled studies, modafinil significantly improved objectively determined sleep latency using the MSLT and MWT and reduced patient-reported sleepiness levels measured by the ESS and KSS. It also improved performance on the Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVT) and reduced the number of lapses during the test. Modafinil was well tolerated in these studies.
In a small, double-blind crossover study, 400 mg taken as a split dose in the morning and at midday was found to be more effective than 200 mg taken as a single daily dose in promoting wakefulness (Schwartz et al 2003b).
However, it is important to understand that modafinil does not cure sleep disorders such as narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea. Therefore, individuals should continue to get adequate amounts of sleep and use breathing devices and other treatments prescribed by their doctor.
How Long Does Modafinil Last?
Modafinil has been shown to be effective in reducing excessive sleepiness in several clinical studies. These were large-scale, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials in people with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), or shift work disorder (SWDS). The primary end point of these studies was an objective measure of wakefulness – either the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) or Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT).
These results show that modafinil decreases excessive sleepiness and improves the ability to stay awake during the day. However, it does not cure these disorders and should not be used as a substitute for getting enough sleep. Follow your doctor’s advice about good sleep habits and continue to use breathing devices and other treatments prescribed for your condition.
Modafinil can cause some side effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness, trouble thinking and moving, or blurred vision. If these side effects are severe, call your doctor. Modafinil may interact with certain medicines, including birth control pills, erectile dysfunction drugs, and some types of antidepressants.
What Is Modafinil Used For?
Modafinil is used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder (sleepiness during scheduled waking hours in people who work rotating or night shifts), and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (a condition that causes episodes of stopping and starting breathing during sleep). It is also used along with other treatments for these conditions.
It belongs to a class of medications called central nervous system stimulants and acts by changing the amounts of certain natural substances in the brain that control sleep and wakefulness. It is not a cure for these sleep disorders, but it can improve the ability to stay awake and concentrate.
It is important to take modafinil as directed by your doctor. Do not take more or less of it or change the time of day that you take it without talking to your doctor. This medication can cause addiction, so it should not be shared with others. Also, do not take it with alcohol or other medications that cause drowsiness.