Modafinil is a prescription medication for the treatment of narcolepsy and some types of sleep apnea. It can also be prescribed off-label as a treatment for shift work sleep disorder (i.e., excessive sleepiness experienced during night work and insomnia when trying to sleep during the day), obstructive sleep apnea, or chronic fatigue syndrome and other sleepiness associated diseases.
Modafinil (Provigil®) is primarily a wakefulness-promoting agent that acts on the central nervous system to increase alertness during waking periods. It is thought to have effects similar to amphetamine but perhaps less dramatic or intense on the user’s mood and behavior.
Food and Drug Administrations (FDA), in their clinical studies, highlighted that the effects of Provigil (modafinil) in human body is not absolutely dangerous and this drug is similar to amphetamine.
It is estimated that one out of every 2000 to 4000 people suffers from narcolepsy. This waking drug is primarily used to help people with this condition stay awake and improve their cognitive function. People with narcolepsy often have difficulty staying awake during the day and periods of expected sleep at night.
They also have short, but intense bursts of energy that can cause them to be physically active while they are asleep. Modafinil can help the person stay awake and alert during the day so that they can function like those who don’t have this condition.
Narcolepsy is a neurological sleep disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and abnormal REM sleep. Its main symptoms are cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle tone in response to strong emotions), hypnagogic hallucinations (dreamlike experiences at sleep onset), and disrupted nighttime sleep.
Narcolepsy is caused by the loss of hypocretin-producing neurons within the lateral hypothalamus region of the brain. Hypocretin is a neuropeptide that produces wakefulness, regulates emotion, and controls certain aspects of memory and learning. Approximately 10% of narcoleptic patients have a family history of the condition.
In addition, multiple environmental factors may be involved in its development, including head trauma, stroke, infectious diseases, and autoimmune disorders. There is also some evidence that allergies that affect the brain could also play a role in narcolepsy development.
Narcolepsy symptoms are diagnosed through an interview with a sleep specialist. This will include questions about symptoms and medical history followed by several screening tests to determine if they have the condition, including the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), and Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT).
Modafinil is not intended as a cure or treatment for narcolepsy. It is believed to be very helpful in treating symptoms of the disorder and improving the quality of life for those who have the condition.
A study referenced in a report from the NCBI website indicates that approximately 66% of narcolepsy patients reported improvements in symptom severity after being treated with Modafinil. This showed significant improvement in measures of sleepiness, fatigue, depression, anxiety, and quality of life.
Modafinil is believed to be an effective stand-alone treatment or in combination with other medications. It has been used off-label to treat shift work disorder and obstructive sleep apnea as well because it can help the person stay awake during their workday.
Provigil modafinil is primarily a weak dopamine reuptake inhibitor (DARI). Although dopamine is a primary neurotransmitter in the reward pathways of the brain, it is also important for cognitive functions, specifically attention and cognition. There are two ways in which this can occur.
The first involves dopamine’s inhibition and reuptake inhibition, where higher levels of dopamine in the synaptic cleft increase release of dopamine from its transporter binding sites within the neuron. In turn, the increased availability of extracellular dopamine induces neuronal firing leading to increased synaptic transmission and learning.
Modafinil has been used off-label to treat children and adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to help them become more productive and focused during their workday. It is effective at improving the ability of these individuals to focus, concentrate, and maintain attention throughout the work day or in combination with other medication(s).
In children with ADHD, Modafinil is usually used as an adjunct to psychostimulant treatment. It can also be used off-label for children with severe learning disabilities (e.g., severe visual-motor integration problems that don’t respond well to conventional stimulant medication) and may help reduce anxiety and depression. In adults, it is also used to improve cognitive function in conditions like multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, and schizophrenia.
In one study referenced in a report from the NCBI website, researchers found that Modafinil significantly improved ADHD symptoms severity after 2 weeks in adults with the disorder. It also showed improvements in quality of life measures during the study period. The medication was well-tolerated by those who took it, and most adverse reactions were mild to moderate.
There is a potential for Modafinil to be a valuable new treatment option for patients with ADHD. However, comparative and independent long-term studies are necessary before Modafinil can be fully accessed as a potential treatment option for the condition.
Modafinil is generally considered safe when taken at recommended doses. However, some individuals who take the drug may experience a sudden rise in blood pressure or heart rate when exposed to other medications or substances that cause cardiac side effects.
There was a study published on NCBI website that was to determine how Modafinil affected people’s blood pressure and heart rate. It showed that short-term administration of Modafinil to healthy volunteers produced no significant changes in resting blood pressure and heart rate.
There are many things that can affect blood pressure, including lifestyle habits, body weight, stress, certain foods and drinks, and some medications. If you have an existing health condition such as high blood pressure, it is best to discuss with your Doctor about whether or not Modafinil is a good option for you.
Modafinil has been examined in research studies to determine if it can be used as an adjunctive treatment or therapy for depression.
A research study done in 2013 by the University of Cambridge concluded that “taking the drug modafinil, typically used to treat sleep disorders, in combination with antidepressants reduces the severity of depression more effectively than taking antidepressants alone.”
“Approximately a third of depressed patients receive little or no benefit from taking antidepressants even when used in combination with psychological counseling. Furthermore, of those who respond to treatment, residual symptoms such as fatigue and trouble sleeping pose risk factors for relapse. The authors of the study believe that these individuals in particular would benefit the most from supplementing their antidepressants with Modafinil.”
If you are taking antidepressants and decide to take Modafinil, it is important to discuss the safety of taking them with your doctor.
There are no known interactions between Modafinil and Ibuprofen. As you are discussing with your doctor, it is wise to discuss the potential side effects of taking these medications together.
Modafinil can be safely used for the treatment of narcolepsy and shift work sleep disorder, but it is not recommended for people who have congestive heart failure, asthma or other conditions that compromise their breathing ability. It also should not be used as a replacement for scheduled sleep time.
Some common side effects also occur after taking Provigil such as chest pain, joint pain, headache, nausea, dry mouth, skin rash or itching, trouble breathing and changes in behavior.
Yes, you can buy Modafinil online from several online supplement suppliers. You should be careful when purchasing Modafinil online. Make sure it is from a reputable source.
Medsforless.co.uk is one of the leading providers of Modafinil online. They supply high-quality Modafinil at a very competitive price, you can also call them and get drug information.
Safety and efficacy of Modafinil for these conditions have been established in research trials and studies. However, it is always important to call your doctor before starting a new medication.
Modafinil is a powerful and effective medication for narcolepsy, shift work disorder, and ADHD. It also improves your quality of life when used for sleepiness during the daytime from obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea. Modafinil is not a cure for these conditions, but it can significantly improve symptoms and your ability to function in everyday life. It may also help you reduce the need for other medications and treatments for related conditions.
Modafinil tablets can be purchased online or obtained through a prescription by your doctor or pharmacist. It is important to discuss the potential benefits and side effects of using this medication with your doctor before taking it.
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