Provigil Overview

What is Provigil?

Provigil is a prescription drug for adults who suffer from chronic sleep disorder that causes excessive inability to stay awake and alert. Provigil is used to improve wakefulness in patients suffering from shift work disorder, narcolepsy and sleep apnea. This medication is only used to help in keeping someone awake but is not a treatment of cure for the disorder. Provigil is the brand name for Modafinil.

Reviews

Doctors and medical researchers have given Provigil a 10 out of 10 rating in its effectiveness to cause wakefulness in patients suffering from sleep disorders. It is not yet clear how the drug is able to do this, but it has been suggested that it is able to increase the amount of dopamine in the body which makes the patient more alert.

Reviews of this medication have also shown its effectiveness in sharpening short-term memory and alertness which have been reasons for some pilots and military personnel being given the drug to increase their performance of their duty. Doctors however caution against misuse of the drug especially b people who are not suffering from disorders that need such a treatment it is also not recommended for people under the age of 18 as more studies need to be carried out on the effect it would have on such patients.

Patient reviews of Provigil are full of praise. Some patients state that it kept them out of a semi-coma state while the majority say it was beneficial in dealing with excessive fatigue despite getting enough sleep. There are a few reports of experiencing side effects from taking it on an empty stomach and mild headaches but nothing major in the reviews.

One reoccurring concern, however, is the pricing of the drug especially if it is not covered under insurance. Many patients find Provigil a bit too expensive but because it is effective and they need it, they go ahead and buy.

Dosages

Provigil comes in 100 and 200-milligram capsules and most of the time the recommended dosage is 200mg taken once a day at the beginning of the day. In cases of treatment for geriatrics, a smaller dosage of 100mg is recommended along with close monitoring of the individual. In some cases, 400mg can be recommended but according to doctors, there has been no clear indication that a stronger dosage will have a more effective impact that the usual 200mg. For patients with severe hepatic impairment, it is recommended that they take half a capsule (50mg)

There have been reports of serious rash as a result of taking Provigil by children under the age of 17 which is why it is not recommended for children. Also, serious caution needs to be taken not to overdose as this can cause serious side effects.

Side Effects

The most common side effects of Provigil are:

— Headache
— Nausea
— Anxiety
— Nervousness

Meanwhile, the side effects that have been reported but are not as common include:

— Back Pain
— Loss Of Appetite
— Diarrhea
— Belching
— Constipation
— Flushed Skin
— Heartburn
— Dry Mouth And Skin
— Feeling Of Constant Motion
— Muscle Stiffness
— Vomiting
— Indigestion

Some of the side effects should be cause for worry and one must stop use and go see the doctor before resuming the use of Provigil

— Chest Pain
— Aggression
— Blistering And Peeling Of Skin
— Severe Headaches
— Palpitations
— Sore Throat
— Fever
— Difficulty Breathing
— Depression
— Hallucinations
— Suicidal Thoughts
— Mania

Benefits

Shift workers most especially have benefited from taking this medication which helps to keep them alert during their shifts. It has also proved beneficial in improving wakefulness for adults with chronic sleep disorder that prevents them from staying awake when they should be awake. Some people who take it say it is able to bBoost brain power – especially memory and alertness, but researchers say more conclusive studies need to be conducted to confirm or dispel this benefit. So far the research has been inconclusive. The confirmed benefits, however, are restricted to adult use.

Long-Term Effects

It is important to first of all recognize what Provigil does in order to understand the long-term effects of the drug. In essence, it is able to keep your brain working longer hours than it would like to. Because your brain is trying to get some rest or more rest than you would like it to, you take Provigil.

According to Dr. Nora Volkow, long-term use of this medication will have an effect on sleep patterns especially if it is used regularly.

Research carried out indicates that Provigil has a similar effect on parts of the brain associated with addiction abuse of substances so long-term use is likely to create a form of dependence.

Constantly depriving the brain of sleep in the long run will lead to its inability to function properly. For some people mental problems like depression, mania and withdrawal symptoms can manifest.

Scientists though are not clear on the long-term effects of using Provigil and more studies need to be carried out but so far under controlled prescription and supervision by doctors, there doesn’t seem to be any serious cause for worry.

Short-Term Effects

Taken in the right dosage, Provigil will present the desired effect in the short term- That is keep you awake and more alert for a period of time and a person may experience some of the mentioned side effects. Continued use of Provigil for a period of 3 to 6 months may see a change in sleep pattern and attempts to drastically withdraw from it may cause withdrawal symptoms, but they should not be too serious.

History

Provigil was taken up as the brand name for Modafinil a drag created by French neurophysiologist Michel Jouvet. In late 1986 the professor and Lafon Laboratories presented it as an experimental medicine for the treatment of narcolepsy. After noticing positive results, it was recommended in 1994 as treatment for other similar conditions under the brand name Modiodal. In 1998, it was approved by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of narcolepsy and distributed under the brand name Provigil. Later on in 2003 doctors started prescribing it for shift workers with sleep disorder and sleep apnea. The drug has continued to be used throughout the U.S. but is also the subject of huge criticism as students seem to abuse it, trying to stay awake and study.

Research

A number of studies have been carried out to prove the effectiveness of Provigil in treatment of a number of conditions associated with sleep disorder or attention problems. Some of these include:

— Treatment of ADHD: Research carried out showed that Provigil is effective in the treatment of Attention-deficit however due to other research that showed that it can have fatal results if used on children. The FDA does not allow the use of Provigil to treat ADHD in children

— Treatment of Cocaine Addiction: Because of the chemical composition of cocaine and Provigil, it was thought that it would help reduce the dependence on cocaine but clinical research on this proved inconclusive as the effect was not totally convincing.

— Weight Loss: Research on Provigil showed that it has the ability to reduce appetite which can induce weight loss however researchers note that it cannot be used as a weight loss pill

— Brain Booster: Research was carried out to see if Provigil is really a smart pill as many people claim. The research showed that while individuals felt more alert, they actually had slower reaction times because of sleep deprivation.

Generally the most conclusive researches carried out on Provigil have fronted it as a good medication to improve wakefulness and it has been approved as safe for use under prescription.

How It Affects The Brain

Provigil is believed to affect 3 neurotransmitters in the brain this causes them to produce particular chemicals:

— 1: It affects the transmitter for dopamine, causing the brain to produce more dopamine and that will create increased alertness

— 2: Norepinephrine is another transmitter in the brain which will increase focus and alertness

— 3: It is also believed to affect glutamate which is responsible for memory and that could be the reason students who take it fill like they remember more of what they read.

With increased action of these transmitters, the brain gets more excited and works even harder than usual and sends signals to other parts of the body to keep on working. But because the drug is tampering with the brain function, there is always need for caution that there can be permanent alterations to the brain function.

Final thoughts

Taking into consideration the studies that have been conducted on Provigil and the reviews from patients who have used it, Provigil is no doubt effective in improving wakefulness but extra caution needs to be exercised when using the medication since self-medicated use of Provigil could result in adverse effects like depression and other mental problems. There is also still need for more research into claims that it can help students study better and until such is clinically proven, it is not recommended as a study aid.