What is Provigil 200mg?
Provigil 200mg has FDA-approved Modafinil 200mg as its active salt, classified as a Schedule IV substance, to bring wakefulness caused by sleep disorders (Shift work, OSA, and narcolepsy). It is a wakefulness-promoting agent, and Provigil is the drug that does that. Modafinil works by altering the neurotransmitter, a chemical substance in the brain.
Note that Provigil 200 mg is not a cure for sleep disorders, nor does it help you do away with all the sleepiness, but to a great extent, it keeps sleepiness at bay when you do not want it. However, the medication does not replace the need for adequate sleep during regular sleeping hours. Provigil does not cure sleep disorders but provides wakefulness when you feel sleepy because of not getting sufficient sleep caused by sleep disorders.
What are the Uses and Benefits of Provigil 200mg?
Provigil 200mg treats sleep disorders caused by narcolepsy, sleep apnea, or shift work sleep irregularities. It is a controlled substance classified as a Schedule IV (4) drug. Provigil helps to maintain wakefulness and alertness during work hours. It is not for treating sleep disorders because of inadequate sleep. It allows you to continue working during the daytime when you do not want to feel sleepy.
- A stimulant that stimulates wakefulness and alertness
- Improves the ability to remain awake
- First line of medication for patients with decreasing sleepiness
- Available in flexible doses and generic forms
- Fewer side effects if taken as prescribed under the supervision of a doctor
- It is non-narcotic and non-opioid
- It is not habit-forming if taken at a lower dose for a shorter duration
- Considered safe for administration
- The medication is for a short duration and has a lower daily dose.
What are the Safe Dosages of Provigil 200mg?
The standard doses are Provigil 10mg and Provigil 200mg. Read the label instructions and pharmacist guide every time you buy or refill Provigil 200mg. The initial dosage is Provigil 50mg. Your doctor may increase it to Provigil 100mg or 200mg. He may reduce it to Provigil 25mg. It depends on the response to the treatment. Your doctor bases the dosage on your medical history and underlying health condition.
If you do not understand the instructions, ask the pharmacist or the doctor to explain. Check the expiry date before buying Provigil 200mg. Take the medication depending on the condition of the sleep disorder and the associated treatment based on the cause of the sleep disorder, or as prescribed or as your doctor directs. Continue the treatment as long as your doctor directs. Do not stop the doses abruptly.
Your doctor will slow down the doses and stop the treatment in a phased manner using lower doses and stop it totally as you recover. You may experience the Provigil withdrawal effect if you have used higher doses or for a longer duration.
How to take Provigil 200mg?
For sleep disorder because of narcolepsy–
Take the pill by mouth with or without meals in the morning or as prescribed or as your doctor directs. The dosage is one pill daily in the morning or before your work schedule begins. If your doctor prescribes two dosages daily, you can divide Provigil 200mg daily between the morning and noon.
For sleep disorder because of sleep apnea –
Take the medicine orally, with or without meals, once daily in the morning, as prescribed or as your doctor directs. Continue with the other sleep apnea treatment using the positive airway pressure device, mouth device, or CRAP machine unless your doctor tells you to stop the treatment.
For sleep disorder because of shift work –
Take the pill by mouth with or without meals, once daily one hour before the start of the shift, or as prescribed or as your doctor directs.
Take Provigil 200mg regularly to benefit from it unless your doctor tells you to stop.
When Should I Avoid Provigil 200mg or use it cautiously?
If you are allergic to modafinil, armodafinil, or inactive ingredients, inform your doctor.
If you have heart or cardiovascular complications, enlarged heart, stroke, heart failure, mitral valve issues, irregular heartbeat or rhythmic disorder, blockage, or blood vessel disorder, avoid the medication.
If taking stimulants like amphetamines causes heart problems, including chest pain, breathlessness, and irregular heartbeat, avoid the medication.
If you have hypertension and take medications to regulate blood pressure, liver problems, kidney disorders, or mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or psychosis, or you have a family history of taking substances, avoid this medication.
If you have drugs, substances, alcohol, or smoking addiction, avoid the medicines.
Sleep disorders can affect your reflexes and slow the reacting functions. Provigil 200mg will keep you awake but not improve your reflexes affected by the condition. Provigil can cause dizziness. Therefore, avoid driving, riding, operating machines, or tasks that require prompt alertness. Taking alcohol, smoking, marijuana, or cannabis can make things worse for you. Avoid any addiction if you are taking the treatment.
Avoid vitamin and herbal supplements, mixtures, products, pre-existing OTC medicines, and sleeping pills. They might interfere with the treatment efficacy.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid the medication as it has a high risk of harming the newborn. Avoid pregnancy while using Provigil 200mg. If you are on treatment, use nonhormonal contraceptives and do not get pregnant two months after the Provigil 200mg last intake.
Drug Interactions with Provigil 200mg
We do not share an exhaustive list of drugs that have potential interaction risks. Ask your doctor about the medications and if they will interact with Provigil.
Methamphetamine street drugs, MDMA/ Ecstasy) will interact and can cause severe side effects.
The medication may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal birth control aids and may cause you to become pregnant. Use reliable birth control aids by consulting your doctor while taking the treatment and one month after the last dose. If you notice spotting or breakthrough bleeding, meaning the birth control aid is not working well.
Some medications may increase the risk of rising blood pressure or heart rate. Check with your doctor if you use cough and cold medications or diet aids.
Provigil 200mg can speed up the excretion of certain medications from the body, and you lose the efficacy of those medicines. If you are using drugs like axitinib, bosutinib, daridorexant, elacestrant, or treating chronic hepatitis C with medications, such as asunaprevir, paritaprevir or ombitasvir, ritonavir, and other medications like quizartinib, may lead to early removal of these medicines from the bloodstream and you lose the benefit of using them.
Avoid caffeine and beverages that have caffeine in energy drinks, coffee, tea, etc. Avoid consuming large quantities of chocolate or taking OTC medications that have caffeine.
What are the Side effects of Provigil 200mg?
The common side effects will subside as you get used to the doses. For withdrawal effects or severe side effects, see your doctor immediately.
Provigil 200mg withdrawal effects
- Shaking
- Tremor
- Chills
- Nausea
- Restlessness
- Agitation
- Confusion
- Vomiting
Common Provigil 200mg Side Effects
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Trouble sleeping
- Sleep cycle change
- Rash
Severe Provigil 200mg side effects
- Severe allergic reactions
- Fever, swelling in lymph nodes
- Chest pain
- Heart rhythm irregularity
- Heart pounding
- Fast heartbeat
- Severe dizziness
- Confusion
- Hallucination
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mental/psychotic changes
- Mood swings
- Suicidal thoughts
- Itching
- Swelling in face, tongue, throat
- Breathing difficulty