Is the smart drug called Modafinil as effective as doctors claim it to be?

It is a smart drug that is used to promote wakefulness and that assists individuals with remaining alert by treating narcolepsy, a condition that causes unnecessary daytime drowsiness in an individual. It is similarly used to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea and sleep difficulties on account of Shift Work Sleep Disorder. The medication was first approved for public use by the FDA in 1998.

Apart from its approved usage, the medication is also used for the off-label treatment of those patients suffering from ADHD, chronic fatigue, and Parkinson’s disease. This medication has found favor mostly among businessmen, college students, and soldiers to help battle tiredness and keep them awake and active for a longer time.

It is a federally controlled substance due to its high potential of the user developing addiction to the drug.

What are the Uses of Modafinil and Side effects?

It is a wakefulness-promoting agent and as the name suggests it helps a person stay awake and reduce extreme sleepiness due to narcolepsy and other sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea.

It has its rundown of conceivable secondary effects, yet they are gentle and will more often than not disappear sooner or later. Side effects commonly occur when your body is not used to the components of the drug and that it reacts to the foreign elements until it gets used to them. Here are the common side effects of the drug,

  • Feeling anxious
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Stomach upset
  • Vomiting

The aforementioned tend to go away after a while. Consult your doctor if the symptoms worsen or persist.

Coming up next are extreme incidental effects that happen because of the utilization of Modafinil

  • Rashes in the skin, hives, peeling
  • Swelling of the legs
  • Fever
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Difficulty swallowing food
  • Swelling of face, lips, and throat
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Hallucinations
  • Unusual thoughts and behavior
  • Excessive aggression
  • Sudden chest pain
  • Stuffy nose, insomnia

The side effects might shift contingent upon the individual’s condition and clinical history. Assuming you experience any of the previously mentioned aftereffects, converse with your primary care physician right away.

Armodafinil and Modafinil:

Armodafinil is also known by its brand name Nuvigil. Armodafinil is also to treat excessive sleepiness due to narcolepsy. Both are similar in their working but they vary in their chemical structure. The medication was approved for usage in the year 2007. Armodafinil differs from Modafinil by having a longer half-life and is a much stronger medication when compared to modafinil. The side effects of both the drugs are the same due to their similarity of working in the human body.

Half-Life Of Modafinil:

The half-life time of the medication is how much time it takes for the disposal of a large portion of the medication from the body. For this drug, it takes about 10-12hrs and for those with slow metabolism it can take up to 15hrs. The components of the drug are metabolized in the liver and are excreted from the body via urine.

Can One Develop Addiction Due to Taking Modafinil?

This drug is a Schedule IV class drug and that implies it has a high potential for misuse and compulsion. Studies on Modafinil addiction have shown that the reason why people misuse the drug is due to its effectiveness being similar to meth and cocaine. Those who have abused drugs in the past are more vulnerable and have a higher chance of being addicted to this medication.

It has very low tolerance levels and as a result, can cause physical and psychological dependence in those using the drug for a long time.

The drug is commonly abused by college students to help them stay awake, focused, and be more productive while preparing for their exams. This has led to this prescription medicine being used non-medically.

Warnings that you should know about Modafinil

Do not take Modafinil if you have experienced previous allergic reactions like rashes in the skin due to the consumption of this medication. For people who have a history of chest pain, high blood pressure, kidney issues, liver problems, or if you are an alcoholic, this is not the right medication for you.

Tell your doctor if you are on any contraceptives as their functions might not be to the fullest when taking this drug.

Talk to your doctor before taking this medication during pregnancy to avoid unnecessary adverse effects on the fetus.

Modafinil is not approved for usage in patients below the age of 17.