Provigil

Provigil

     * Generic Name: modafinil
     * Brand Name: Provigil


     * What is modafinil (Provigil)?
     * What are the possible side effects of modafinil (Provigil)?
     * What is the most important information I should know about
       modafinil (Provigil)?
     * What should I discuss with my health care provider before
       taking modafinil (Provigil)?
     * How should I take modafinil (Provigil)?
     * What happens if I miss a dose (Provigil)?
     * What happens if I overdose (Provigil)?
     * What should I avoid while taking modafinil (Provigil)?
     * What other drugs will affect modafinil (Provigil)?
     * Where can I get more information (Provigil)?

What is modafinil (Provigil)?

   Modafinil is a medication that promotes wakefulness.

   Modafinil is used to treat excessive sleepiness caused by sleep
   apnea, narcolepsy, or shift work sleep disorder.

   Modafinil may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
   guide.

What are the possible side effects of modafinil (Provigil)?

   Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
   hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
   throat.

   Modafinil can cause skin reactions that may be severe enough to need
   treatment in a hospital. Stop taking this medicine and get emergency
   medical help if you have:
     * skin rash or hives, blisters or peeling;
     * mouth sores, trouble swallowing;
     * fever, shortness of breath;
     * swelling in your legs;
     * dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
     * swelling in your face, eyes, lips, tongue, or throat.

   Stop using modafinil and call your doctor at once if you have:
     * depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts or actions;
     * hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior, aggression, being
       more active or talkative than usual;
     * chest pain, trouble breathing, uneven heart beats; or
     * the first sign of any skin rash, no matter how minor you think it
       might be.

   Common side effects may include:
     * headache, dizziness;
     * feeling nervous or anxious;
     * back pain;
     * nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach;
     * sleep problems (insomnia); or
     * stuffy nose.

   This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
   your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
   effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about modafinil
(Provigil)?

   You should not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic
   reaction or skin rash while taking modafinil or armodafinil
   (Nuvigil).

   Modafinil can cause skin reactions that may be severe enough to need
   treatment in a hospital. Stop taking this medicine and get emergency
   medical help if you have a skin rash or hives, blisters or peeling,
   mouth sores, trouble breathing or swallowing, fever, swelling in your
   legs, dark urine, yellowing of your skin or eyes, or swelling in your
   face.

   Provigil Patient Information including How Should I Take
   Causes of Fatigue: Find Out Why You're So Tired

   Causes of Fatigue Slideshow
   Sleep Disorders: Foods That Help You Sleep or Keep You Awake

   Sleep Slideshow: Foods That Help or Harm Your Sleep
   RxList

   Sleep Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking modafinil
(Provigil)?

   You should not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic
   reaction or skin rash while taking modafinil or armodafinil (Nuvigil).

   To make sure modafinil is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
     * angina (chest pain);
     * cirrhosis or other liver problem;
     * kidney disease;
     * high blood pressure, heart disease, or history of heart
       attack;
     * a history of mental illness or psychosis; or
     * history of alcoholism or drug addiction.

   It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell
   your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

   Modafinil can make certain birth control less effective. Hormonal
   contraception (birth control pills, injections, implants, skin patches,
   and vaginal rings) may not be effective enough to prevent pregnancy
   during your treatment. Talk with your doctor about the best methods of
   birth control to use while taking modafinil.

   It is not known whether modafinil passes into breast milk or if it
   could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
   baby.

   Modafinil is not approved for use by anyone younger than 17 years old.

How should I take modafinil (Provigil)?

   Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this
   medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

   Modafinil may be habit-forming. Never share modafinil with another
   person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction.
   Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling
   or giving away modafinil is against the law.

   Modafinil is usually taken each morning to prevent daytime sleepiness,
   or 1 hour before the start of a work shift to treat work-time sleep
   disorders.

   Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets
   provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any
   questions.

   You may take modafinil with or without food.

   Modafinil is usually given for 12 weeks or less.

   If you are taking modafinil to treat sleepiness caused by
   obstructive sleep apnea, you may also be treated with a
   continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. This
   machine is an air pump connected to a mask that gently blows
   pressurized air into your nose while you sleep. The pump does not
   breathe for you, but the gentle force of air helps keep your airway
   open to prevent obstruction.

   Do not stop using your CPAP machine during sleep unless your doctor
   tells you to. The combination of treatment with CPAP and modafinil may
   be necessary to best treat your condition.

   Modafinil will not cure obstructive sleep apnea or treat its
   underlying causes. Follow your doctor's instructions about all your
   other treatments for this disorder.

   Call your doctor if you continue to have excessive sleepiness even
   while taking modafinil.

   Taking modafinil does not take the place of getting enough sleep.

   Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

   Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle.
   Modafinil is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using
   your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

   Provigil Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
   Causes of Fatigue: Find Out Why You're So Tired

   Causes of Fatigue Slideshow
   Sleep Disorders: Foods That Help You Sleep or Keep You Awake

   Sleep Slideshow: Foods That Help or Harm Your Sleep
   RxList

   Sleep Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ

What happens if I miss a dose (Provigil)?

   Talk with your doctor about what to do if you miss a dose of modafinil.
   Avoid taking the medicine if you do not plan to be awake for several
   hours. Skip the missed dose if it is almost bedtime. Do not take extra
   medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Provigil)?

   Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
   1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking modafinil (Provigil)?

   This medicine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you
   drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

   Avoid other dangerous activities until you know how modafinil will
   affect your level of wakefulness.

   Avoid drinking alcohol while taking modafinil.

What other drugs will affect modafinil (Provigil)?

   Other drugs may interact with modafinil, including prescription and
   over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of
   your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any
   medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information (Provigil)?

   Your pharmacist can provide more information about modafinil.
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