Modvigil (Modafinil) 200mg

What Modvigil (Modafinil) tablet is and what is it used for?

Modvigil is a medication that is used to prevent extreme sleepiness caused by narcolepsy with or without cataplexy or shift work sleep disorder that usually occur in people who do night shifts or rotating shifts and they feel sleepy during working hours and are unable to sleep during sleeping hours. Modvigil is also called wakefulness promoting agent.

Narcolepsy is a condition in which you experience severe sleep attacks during the daytime or you fall asleep in inappropriate situations because you lose your control and Modvigil (modafinil) helps you to combat the situation and keeps you up and alert.

Pharmacology

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Psychoanaleptics, centrally acting sympathomimetics

ATC-code: N06BA07

Mechanism of action

The exact mechanism of action of modafinil is not known but its action to keep you awake is more like sympathomimetic drugs.

What do you need to know before taking Modvigil (modafinil) Tablet?

Do not take Modvigil (modafinil) tablet:

• If you are allergic to modafinil
• If you have hypertension i.e., high blood pressure
• If you are experiencing irregular heartbeats or cardiac arrythmias

Warnings are precautions

You must consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking the Modvigil tablet:

• If you have cardiac issues or suffering from high blood pressure as in this case regular screening of heart performance and check on blood pressure would be required
• If you have severe renal or hepatic issues as dose adjustment is required in this case
• If you ever suffered from depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder, etc as this medicine exaggerate the situation or reoccurrence of the disease happen
• If you have a history of drug abuse or alcoholism
• Modvigil decreases the activity of hormonal contraceptives

You must immediately contact your doctor or pharmacist if you experience suicidal thoughts, aggressive behavior or depression, upon using this medicine.

If you use this medicine for a longer duration of time then you may develop dependency.

Children and adolescents

Modvigil tablet is not meant for children less than 18 years of age.

Other medicines and Modvigil tablet

Do not take Modvigil (Modafinil) tablet with omeprazole, antiviral medicines that are used to treat HIV infection, ciclosporins, antiepileptic medicines, anti-depressants, anxiolytics, blood thinners (eg; Warfarin), calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, or statins.

If you are using hormonal contraceptives as Modvigil reduces the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives, use alternative methods to control birth.

Modvigil and food interaction

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking Modvigil.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

The use of Modvigil (Modafinil) tablet can cause birth defects, therefore you must take Modvigil tablet during pregnancy or if you are planning to have a baby or even if you are a breastfeeding mother.

Effect on the ability to drive or operate machines

It is reported that the use of the Modvigil (Modafinil) tablet can cause blurred vision or dizziness. If you feel dizziness or blurred vision or you still feel sleepy after taking the Modvigil tablet, then do not drive or operate machinery.

How to take Modvigil (Modafinil) tablet?

Always take this medicine exactly the way your doctor or pharmacist has told you.

Administration:

Take this medicine orally with a glass of water.

Dosage:

The recommended adult dose is 200mg a day. This can be taken as a single dose of 200mg or the dose can be split into two doses, 100mg in the morning and 100mg in the evening.

The recommended maximum dose of Modafinil is 400mg per day.

The recommended daily dose for elderly patients (>65 years) and the patient with kidney or liver problem is 100mg or as advised by your doctor.

You can take this medicine with or without food as food does not affect the bioavailability of modafinil. However, the absorption of the drug may be delayed for about an hour if taken with food.

What if you take more Modvigil (Modafinil) tablets than you should?

If you take more Modvigil tablets than you are prescribed by your doctor, you will experience side effects associated with modafinil that are difficulty to fall asleep, hallucinations, restlessness, ataxia, diarrhea, anxious or excited behavior, etc. You must immediately contact your doctor or visit the nearby hospital if you take an overdose of Modvigil.

What if you missed a dose of Modvigil (Modafinil) tablet?

If you forget to take your dose of Modvigil (Modafinil) tablet, take it as soon as you remind it, or can take the next dose at its right time. But do not take a double dose to make up for your missed dose.

Side effects associated with the use of Modvigil (Modafinil) tablet

If you experience any of the following side effects after using Modvigil (Modafinil) tablet, you must immediately stop taking this medicine and consult your doctor:

Difficulty in breathing, wheeziness, skin rash or itching, mood swings, suicidal thoughts, confusion, forgetfulness, dizziness, constipation, gas, sleeplessness, dry mouth, excessive thirst, back pain, flushing, over-excitement, anxiety, depression, loss of appetite, weakness, etc.

Modvigil can cause some other side effects as well, if you experience any unusual side effect call you doctor or pharmacist.

How to store Modvigil (Modafinil) tablet?

This medicine does not require any special conditions of storage.

Keep this medicine out of reach and sight of children.

Any unused product should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

Do not use this medicine after its expiry date, mentioned on the pack/container or blister strip.

Reference links:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.4320.pdf

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/4320/smpc#INDICATIONS

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2007/020717s020s013s018lbl.pdf

https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/referral/modafinil-annex-iii-summary-product-characteristics-labeling-package-leaflet_en.pdf