Modafinil is a drug that promotes wakefulness and can help improve alertness in individuals with conditions like narcolepsy and shift work sleep disorder. However, the drug is not without risks.
Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of using modafinil. Also, give your doctor a list of all the prescription and nonprescription drugs, herbs, and nutritional supplements you use.
How to Take
Modafinil 200 Australia is a drug that promotes wakefulness and is used to treat sleep disorders such as narcolepsy and periods of stopped breathing during sleep (obstructive sleep apnea). It also helps people stay awake while on shift work.
It works by changing the way certain chemicals in the brain affect sleep and wakefulness. While it does not have the same effect as stimulants like amphetamine or methylphenidate, modafinil is still classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance in the United States, meaning that it can be abused and lead to dependence if taken in high doses.
Depending on the severity of your condition and other factors, your healthcare provider may prescribe modafinil for you to take up to 200 mg or 300 mg per day in capsules or tablets. It is important to follow your doctor's dosing instructions carefully. Do not increase your dosage without approval from your doctor, and do not take modafinil more than once daily.
If you are allergic to modafinil or any of the ingredients in it, you could have a severe reaction called DRESS, which stands for "drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms." This is a life-threatening allergy that requires immediate medical attention.
You should not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. It may impair your thinking and judgment. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication.
Dosage
Modafinil is in a class of medications called wakefulness-promoting agents. In controlled clinical studies, it improved wakefulness in people with excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy or shift work sleep disorder (SWSD). It can also be used along with other treatments for obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) to reduce daytime sleepiness.
The recommended dose is one tablet taken orally per day, usually in the morning before a scheduled waking time. In the case of SWSD, it can be taken up to an hour before your shift begins. You should not take it after midday or at bedtime, as this could prevent you from getting enough sleep during the night.
Your doctor may lower the dosage if you have severe liver damage or are over 65. They may also lower the dose if you have a history of psychosis or mania. If you have a serious skin reaction, it is important to tell your doctor immediately.
Be sure to read the prescription label carefully. It will include information such as the patient's name, dosing instructions, and other precautions. If you have trouble reading the label, ask your pharmacist for help. Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you can scan with your smartphone to convert text to speech. Do not take the medication at the same time as other medicines.
Side Effects
Modafinil (Modawake 200) is a central nervous system stimulant used in the treatment of excessive sleepiness related to certain conditions. It has wakefulness-promoting properties, and is FDA approved for narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (as an adjunct to continuous positive airway pressure). Modafinil also has several off-label indications.
The drug is available by prescription only, and should be taken as directed. The recommended dosage is 200 mg once a day. It is usually taken in the morning, unless your doctor specifies a different time. This drug is a Schedule IV controlled substance, meaning it has a lower potential for abuse and dependence than drugs in higher schedules, but it still has risks. It should be kept in a secure location to prevent unauthorized use, and stored at room temperature.
Side effects of this medication can include anxiety, drowsiness, headache, dry mouth, nausea, insomnia, and decreased appetite. It can also affect blood pressure in some people. Other side effects may be more noticeable in men, including reduced libido. Long-term use can lead to an increase in heart rate, and can disrupt natural sleep patterns and decrease the quality of your rest.
This medication can interact with a number of other medications, including antidepressants, some CNS depressants, and some psychotherapy techniques. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications, especially ones that treat depression or mental illness, or any other supplements or herbs.
Precautions
It's important to tell all of your health care providers that you take modafinil. This includes your doctor, nurses and pharmacists. This medication can affect blood pressure and heart rate, so your doctor will want to check your progress often.
Modafinil works by increasing levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and glutamate in your brain. It also promotes wakefulness and enhances cognition by modulating NMDA receptor activity. This medication can help improve your ability to perform well during shift work sleep disorder but does not replace the need for adequate sleep.
This drug is not recommended for use in patients with certain psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia and other psychoses, as it may make these symptoms worse. It should also be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease or heart failure, as this medicine can increase your risk for side effects like high blood pressure, increased heart rate and cardiac arrest.
It is important to follow your doctor's sleep and exercise recommendations while you are taking modafinil. Get seven to nine hours of sleep every night and try to stick to a consistent schedule, even on weekends and days off from work. Make sure to create a quiet, dark and peaceful sleeping environment. Encourage family members to avoid vacuuming, dishwashing or playing noisy music during your sleep time.
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