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Modafinil (Provigil) is classified as a “wakefulness
promoting agent.” It was
originally developed to treat narcolepsy, a neurologic disorder that causes
people to fall asleep suddenly. It
has also been helpful in people who have fatigue from shift work or other
conditions like sleep apnea. It has
been studied with good results in attention deficit disorder (ADD),
although it may not be as effective as traditional stimulants.
Modafinil has also been used successfully to increase the
benefits of antidepressant medicines in people whose depression did not
respond fully to them. Modafinil is
one of a few medications which have been found helpful in bipolar
depression.
Modafinil is generally well tolerated. Side effects can include headache,
nausea, anxiety, stomach upset, dizziness and insomnia.
Modafinil does not operate in the brain like traditional stimulants do and does not
seem to have potential for addiction or abuse. It directly on the sleep and wakefulness
centers in the brain.
To learn more about the specifics of this drug, go to:
Index of
Drug Information
Updated 10/24/7 by Chris Aiken,
M.D.
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