Modafinil



Provigil®







Modafinil

(moe DAF i nil)

U.S. Brand Names
Provigil®
Canadian Brand Names
Alertec®; Provigil®
Pharmacologic Category
Stimulant
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 16 years of age.
  • If you have an allergy to modafinil or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you have any of the following conditions: Chest pain or pressure, heart attack, mitral valve prolapse, or thickening of the left side of your heart.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat breathing problems.
  • This medicine is used to treat narcolepsy.
  • This medicine is used to treat shift work sleep disorders.
How does it work?
  • Modafinil stimulates the brain in adults to increase alertness.
  • It stimulates the brain to increase rate of breathing.
How is it best taken?
  • Shift work sleep disorder: Take 1 hour before the start of work.
  • Narcolepsy: Take this medicine in the morning.
  • Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is near bedtime, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
  • Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.
  • If you abuse drugs, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.
  • If you have mental illness, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
  • Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake. Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, and fast heartbeat.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
  • Birth control pills and other hormone-based birth control may not work to prevent pregnancy. Use another form of birth control while taking this medicine and for 1 month after treatment ends.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Nervous and excitable.
  • Headache.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Inability to sleep.
  • Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.
  • Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Dry mouth may cause an increase in cavities. Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Chest pain or pressure or fast heartbeat.
  • Severe dizziness or passing out.
  • Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.
  • Very nervous and excitable.
  • Severe headache.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store at room temperature.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
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