Modafinil is a drug to treat excessive daytime sleepiness due to narcolepsy. sleep apnea, or other sleep disorders. Sometimes this drug is also used by people who have to work at night or to cope with shift work sleep disorder.
The exact mechanism of modafinil is not known, but it is a nervous system stimulant that is thought to work by altering natural substances in the brain that regulate sleep and wake cycles. Please note, modafinil cannot cure diseases or sleep disorders that cause a person to feel excessively sleepy.
This drug also cannot be used to treat fatigue or used as a drowsiness medication for people who do not suffer from sleep disorders.
Modafinil trademark: Modalert, Provigil
What is Modafinil
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Nervous system stimulant |
| Benefit | Overcome excessive sleepiness caused by narcolepsy, sleep apnea, or shift work sleep disorder. |
| Consumed by | Mature |
| Modafinil for pregnant and lactating women | Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. Drugs should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. It is not known whether modafinil is absorbed into breast milk or not. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice. |
| Drug form | Tablet |
Precautions Before Taking Modafinil
Before taking this drug, you need to pay attention to the following:
- Do not take modafinil if you are allergic to this drug. Always tell your doctor about any allergies you have.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have had angina, hypertension, depression, coronary heart disease, heart rhythm disturbances, enlarged heart, heart attack, valvular heart disease, liver disease, psychosis, or Tourette's syndrome.
- Tell your doctor if you are or have ever had an addiction to alcohol or drug abuse.
- Do not drive a vehicle or do activities that require alertness while you are taking modafinil, as this medicine can cause dizziness.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking modafinil before having surgery, including dental surgery.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
- See your doctor right away if you have an allergic drug reaction, serious side effect, or overdose after taking modafinil.
Modafinil Dosage and Usage
The dose of modafinil that your doctor prescribes can be different for each patient. The following is a general dosage of modafinil based on the patient's condition:
Condition: Narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea
- Adults: 200 mg every morning. Maximum dose 400 mg
- Elderly: 100 mg per day
Condition: Sleep disturbance due to work shift
- Dosage 200 mg, 1 hour before the patient's activity or work
- Elderly: 100 mg per day
How to Take Modafinil Correctly
Follow the doctor's advice and read the information listed on the drug packaging label before taking modafinil. Do not reduce or increase the dose without consulting your doctor first.
Modafinil can be taken before or after meals. Swallow the tablet whole with the help of drinking water. Do not crush or chew it first.
If you forget to take modafinil, do it immediately if the break with the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the dose.
While taking modafinil, limit the consumption of drinks that contain caffeine, such as coffee and tea, because they can increase the risk of side effects.
Keep in mind, when taking modafinil to treat excessive sleepiness due to sleep disorders, you must also still get enough sleep.
Store modafinil at room temperature and away from direct sunlight. Keep medicine out of reach of children.
Modafinil Interactions with Other Drugs
The following are some of the interactions between drugs that can occur when modafinil is used together with other drugs:
- Decreased blood levels of modafinil when used with carbamazepine, phenobarbital, or ketoconazole
- Increased effectiveness of modafinil when used with MAOI antidepressants, such as isocarboxid or linezolid
- Decreased effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives, such as birth control pills
- Decreased elimination of phenytoin, warfarin, diazepam, propranolol, or omeprazole from the body
- Increased wakefulness or drowsiness if taken with caffeine or caffeine-containing drugs
Modafinil Side Effects and Dangers
Side effects that can occur after using modafinil are:
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Dizzy
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Back pain
- Nauseous
- dry mouth
- Feeling nervous or restless
- Flushing or a warm feeling in the neck, chest, or face
- Loss of appetite
- Tremors or shaking
- Back pain or muscle stiffness
Consult a doctor if the side effects above do not subside immediately or get worse. You need to see a doctor immediately if you experience an allergic drug reaction or more serious side effects, such as:
- hallucination
- Chest pain, difficulty breathing, and irregular heartbeat
- Mood swings, anxiety, or unusual behavior
- Depression and thinking or attempting suicide
- Weakness or unusual tiredness
- Easy bruising
