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Modafinil

Modafinil is a prescription drug that is licensed to treat excessive sleepiness due to sleep apnea, shift work sleep disorder, or narcolepsy. While it is not known exactly how the medication works, it has shown to be effective in promoting wakefulness. Modafinil comes in tablet form and is usually taken once daily. Side effects may include insomnia, anxiety, nervousness, and headache.

 

What Is Modafinil?

Modafinil (Provigil®) is a prescription medicine used to help people stay awake. Specifically, it is approved to treat people with excessive sleepiness due to the following:
 
  • Narcolepsy
  • Sleep apnea (known medically as obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome or OSAHS)
  • Shift work sleep disorder (SWSD), a problem in people who work night shifts or who frequently change between day and night work shifts.
     
(Click What Is Modafinil Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Modafinil Side Effects

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with modafinil. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
Common side effects of modafinil include but are not limited to:
 
(Click Side Effects of Modafinil to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 

Modafinil: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking modafinil if you have:
 
  • Liver disease, such as liver failure, cirrhosis, or hepatitis
  • Kidney disease, including kidney failure (renal failure)
  • Any heart condition or problem
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
     
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Precautions and Warnings With Modafinil to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)
 

How Does Modafinil Work?

At this time, it is not known exactly how modafinil works to promote wakefulness. It does not work like other stimulants. Modafinil is known to affect certain brain chemicals, but this does not seem to be the way that the drug works, since blocking modafinil's effect on such chemicals does not stop it from working.
 

When and How to Take Modafinil

General considerations for when and how to take modafinil include the following:
 
  • The medication comes in tablet form. It is usually taken by mouth once a day.
     
  • You can take modafinil with or without food. If the medicine seems to bother your stomach, try taking it with food.
     
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Modafinil will not work if you stop taking it.
     

Dosage Information for Modafinil

The dose of modafinil that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may be currently taking.
     
As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
(Click Modafinil Dosing for more information.)
 

Modafinil Drug Interactions

Modafinil can interact with a number of other medications (see Drug Interactions With Modafinil).
 

What If I Take an Overdose of Modafinil?

People who take too much modafinil may have overdose symptoms that could include:
 
  • Anxiety, nervousness, irritability, or aggressiveness
  • Tremor (shakiness)
  • Feelings of a forcefully or rapidly beating heart (known as heart palpitations)
  • Insomnia
  • Nausea or diarrhea
  • Easy bruising or bleeding
  • Confusion or hallucinations
  • Loss of life.
     
If you happen to overdose on modafinil, seek immediate medical attention.
 
(Click Provigil Overdose for more information.)
 

How Should Modafinil Be Stored?

Modafinil should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep modafinil tablets in an airtight container.
 
Keep modafinil and all other medications out of the reach of children.
 

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Modafinil?

If you miss a dose of modafinil, in most cases, it is probably best to skip the missed dose, since taking it too late can cause insomnia and perhaps make your sleeping problems worse. If you remember within a few hours, you can probably take your missed dose without any problems.
 

Who Makes Modafinil?

Modafinil is made by Cephalon, Inc.
 

Strengths of Modafinil

Modafinil tablets come in the following strengths:
 
  • Modafinil 100 mg
  • Modafinil 200 mg.
     

Is There a Generic Version of Modafinil?

Currently, there are no generic versions of modafinil licensed for sale (see Generic Provigil).
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;