Modafinil and Its Clinical Uses

Modafinil is the medicine that is used in the treatment of a sleep disorder. Sleep disorders are getting so common these days, and they must be dealt with. Without a proper sleep schedule, a person will not be well-rested and will be unable to carry out normal every day-to-day activity. Sleep disorders are of different kinds as well. When a person thinks of a sleep disorder, insomnia is the first thing that comes to their mind. However, insomnia is not the only sleep disorder to exist. There are disorders in which the person doesn’t have a normal sleep schedule or sleeps too much. Some sleep disorders involve the condition in which the person is either unable to fall asleep. When they do, they are unable to wake up.

Modafinil

Modafinil is one of the medications that is used to treat a few sleep disorders. The main function of modafinil is that it maintains the steady wakeful stage of the person, and the person taking modafinil won’t be able to fall asleep during their activities. So modafinil is used to treat extreme sleepiness. Modafinil should not be confused with psychostimulant drugs, which are given for the same purpose but have the potential to abuse them. On the other hand, Modafinil is a eugeroic drug, which means a drug that maintains the wakefulness state of the person. Modafinil, unlike other psychostimulants, won’t affect your ability to function normally.

Uses of modafinil

Modafinil can be used in the following conditions

• It is used in narcolepsy, which is when a person can fall asleep during any activity and any time of the day.
• Modafinil is also used in obstructive sleep apnea, in which the person stops breathing. At the same time, they are asleep for certain periods.
• It can be used in shift work sleep disorder which is characterized by insomnia and excessive sleepiness.
• These and some other conditions regarding sleep are the uses of modafinil. Modafinil is given to the patients by mouth. You should understand that modafinil will only help you improve your sleep schedule and won’t increase your ability to stay away for longer periods. This is why modafinil has no potential for drug abuse.
• The exact mechanism of action of modafinil is still unknown. However, it is understood that it controls certain parts of your brain that controls sleep and wakefulness.
• Directions to use of modafinil
• Modafinil is an oral medication and doesn’t have many complications, so using this medicine is very easy. But here are a few things that you need to learn before you start using modafinil. These facts will increase the efficacy of the medicine you are taking
• When prescribed for narcolepsy, this medicine is given once a day. This medicine should be taken early in the morning, and the doe should be used the one recommended by the doctor. This medicine is taken orally for narcolepsy, and the dose can be divided throughout the day.
• For obstructive sleep disorder, this medicine is given by mouth again. Doctors usually prescribe it in the morning, but the dose can be divided throughout the day. You also should continue taking your other medicines for this disorder, including your CPAP machine and mouth device.
• When you are using modafinil for the shift work sleep disorder, this medicine should be taken 1 hour before your work shift starts; this will help you stay awake throughout your entire shift. This medicine is taken by mouth in this case as well.
• Your doctor usually decides the dosage of the medicine. You should take your medicine regularly to get the maximum effectiveness of this medication. The dose may vary depending upon your medical condition. It may change based on the severity of your condition as well.
• When you continue to use this medication for longer periods, this may stop working when you need to tell your doctor about this so the doctor can make an alternate medication or adjustment in doser.

You can also have withdrawal symptoms when you stop using this medication all of a sudden. The withdrawal symptoms involve shaking, sweating, and chills as well. This happens when you have been taking modafinil for a longer period and taking this medication in higher doses.

This medication has a very low risk of addiction. It won’t happen unless the person taking this already has a substance use problem or has had such problems in the past. So, such patients should be prescribed this medicine with extreme care.

It is important to let your doctor know if your disorder symptoms are only worsening over time. This means you are not responding well to your treatment.

Side effects

Side effects are quite common with any medication. However, when it comes to the medicines that have their role regarding brain function, you should know that there will be some side effects. Upon learning these side effects, you will be able to manage them well.

• This medicine may cause nausea, headache, dizziness, and difficulty sleeping for some patients; if any of these symptoms persist, you should inform your doctor.
• If you are having some of the serious side effects like changes in mood, depression, thoughts of suicide, and hallucinating with this medication, then you should stop taking this medicine right away and should inform your doctor about it. You should only quit taking medicines if you are not using this for a long time.
• The use of this medicine also accompanies chest pain.
• Allergic reactions to this medication are very rare. However, you should let your doctor know all of your medical histories, including any previous allergies that you might have.
• Rations, when you are using modafinil, you have to take some precaution and flowing, are those
• You have to inform your medical professional about your allergies, so no such medicine should be prescribed to you.
• It is important to tell your medical history, including the medicines you are taking. If you have serious mental health complications n ten, your doctor should know this.

You must tell your doctor if you are planning a pregnancy because modafinil should not be used then, harming your baby. Even if it is given, contraceptives are also given.

Conclusion

This was all you needed to know about modafinil. It is one of the best medications with very little potential for abuse for your sleeping disorder. Using such medication can help you treat your sleeping disorder correctly. Keeping in view all of this medication’s side effects and precautions, you should take modafinil with extreme care.