Provigil in Sustaining Wakefulness
In a condition called narcolepsy excessive sleepiness is a main symptom, which lasts the whole day. There has been two studies done comparing what is more effecient – to take Provigil once a day or to take small split doses a number of times a day.
It has been proven, that split doses were much more effecient than once a day dose ( 200 mg of Provigil), and it was better performing in sustaining wakefulness in the evening.
Both these regimes are very well tolerated. Therefore please consult your doctor to decide which regime is better and more suitable for your needs
Provigil improves wakefulness
Although its mechanism of action is unknown, Provigil appears to be unlike classic stimulants. We investigated this generality by testing the selectivity of this compound for wake-promoting effects (e.g., relative to locomotor effects) and homeostatic sleep responses after drug-induced waking relative to the prototypical stimulant methamphetamine (METH).
Continuous measures of electroencephalogram (EEG) sleep-wakefulness, locomotor activity (LMA) and body temperature (Tb) were obtained from adult male Wistar rats 3 days before and after treatment with Provigil (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg i.p.), 0.25% methylcellulose (vehicle) or METH (0.5 and 1.0 mg/kg i.p.). Individually housed rats in a 24-h light-dark cycle (LD 12:12) were treated 5 h after lights-on (CT-5).
Using Provigil
Provigil is approved for people age 16 and older. Off-label Provigil uses may also include the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, and fatigue due to other causes.
Provigil® (modafinil) is a medication used to promote wakefulness. This means that it helps people stay awake and alert. It is approved to promote wakefulness in people with excessive sleepiness due to:
- Narcolepsy
- Shift work sleep disorder (SWSD), a problem in people who work night shifts or who frequently change between day and night work shifts
- Sleep apnea (known medically as obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome or OSAHS).
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Not Like a Cup of Joe
“It works in a very select area of the brain called the hypothalamus, which regulates among other things sleep and wakefulness,” Wyatt said. “And because it doesn’t work in widespread areas of the brain, it seems to have a much cleaner side-effect profile, not producing nervousness or tremulousness or shakiness that other stimulants can.”
There are some side effects, including headaches, nausea, infection, possible nervousness, anxiety and insomnia. But patients would see a limited number of those effects at one time, and they are actually less than the effects of caffeine.
Dodds thought that the pill would have effects similar to caffeine, but she was surprised.