Health Centres - Provigil
How does it work?
Provigil tablets contain the active ingredient modafinil, which is a type of medicine known as a CNS stimulant. It works by stimulating activity within the central nervous system, ie brain and spinal cord.
Modafinil increases wakefulness and daytime alertness in people who experience excessive sleepiness during the day, either due to narcolepsy, or due to a syndrome called obstructive sleep apnoea. It can also be used to improve wakefulness and alertness in people who suffer moderate to severe sleep disorders as a result of chronic shift work. However, the medicine should not be used as a replacement for sleep and you should talk to your doctor about ways to try and maintain good sleep patterns.
The way in which modafinil improves wakefulness is not yet fully understood, but it is believed to have an effect on specific parts of the brain responsible for keeping us awake.
Modafinil's mode of action appears to be different to other CNS stimulants, such as the amphetamine group of medicines that are also sometimes used to promote wakefulness. This difference is believed to reduce modafinil's potential for abuse and dependence, though there may still be a risk of this if the medicine is used long-term.
What is it used for?
-
Excessive daytime sleepiness due to obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome
- Excessive daytime sleepiness due to the sleep disorder narcolepsy
- Excessive sleepiness due to moderate to severe sleep disorders associated with chronic shift work
Warning!
- This medicine may cause dizziness and blurred vision. If affected, caution is required when driving or operating machinery.
- The safety of this medicine during pregnancy has not been established. Because it may be harmful to a developing baby, women who could get pregnant should use a reliable contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy while using this medicine. Contraception should be continued for two months after stopping treatment. There is more information about the effect of this medicine on contraceptive pills and patches at the end of this factsheet. It is important to discuss contraceptive methods with your doctor before you start taking this medicine.
- Dependence on this medicine may occur if it used for long periods of time.
- There is insufficient information regarding the safety and efficacy of this medicine in children. It is not recommended for children.
Use with caution in
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure (blood pressure and heart rate should be monitored)
- Kidney failure
- Liver failure
- Severe anxiety
Not to be used in
- Irregular heart beats (arrhythmias)
- Uncontrolled moderate to severe high blood pressure
- History of enlargement of a chamber of the heart (left ventricular hypertrophy or cor pulmonale)
- People with a floppy heart valve (prolapsed mitral valve) who have experienced the 'mitral valve prolapse syndrome' when taking CNS stimulants (ask your doctor about this if you have heart valve problems)
-
Pregnancy
-
Breastfeeding
- Rare hereditary disorders of galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption (Provigil tablets conatin lactose).
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- The safety of this medicine during pregnancy has not been established. Because it may be harmful to a developing baby, it should not be used during pregnancy. Women who could get pregnant should use a reliable contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy while using this medicine. Contraception should be continued for two months after stopping treatment. There is more information about the effect of this medicine on contraceptive pills and patches at the end of this factsheet. You should discuss contraceptive methods with your doctor before starting treatment.
- It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. It should not be used during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Loss of appetite
- Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
- Weakness or loss of strength (asthenia)
- Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)
- Nervousness
- Anxiety and agitation
- Depression
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Pins and needles (paraesthesia)
- Alteration in results of liver function tests
- Unstable moods (emotional lability)
- Decreased sex drive
- Chest pain
- Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
- Widening of blood vessels (vasodilatation)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Rash or itching
- Twitching
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
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