There are many reasons people can’t sleep. Insomnia is a common sleeping disorder that affects millions of people each night. That may not be your problem. In fact, the opposite may be occuring in your life. Excessive sleepiness is a real problem as well and can interfere with your life just as much. One of the conditions that causes excessive daytime sleepiness is narcolepsy. Another is called shift work sleep disorder which is sleepiness during scheduled waking hours and difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep during scheduled sleeping hours in people who work at night or on rotating shifts.
Modafinil or the brand name is Provigil, is used to treat these disorders. It is also used along with breathing devices or other treatments to prevent excessive sleepiness caused by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Modafinil is a prescription medication that is used to treat these disorders. Just remember it is not for someone that is not getting enough sleep. Most of us would love to have a pill that would keep us awake when you are just too tired to keep going during the day. This sleeping pill is not designed for those of us who do not have those disorders described above.
How Does Modafinil Work?
Modafinil is a class of medications called wakefulness promoting agents. It works by changing the amounts of certain natural substances in the area of the brain that controls sleep and wakefulness. If you take this sleeping pill to treat nacropelsy or OSA you will probably take Modafinil in the morning. If you are taking Modafinil to treat shift work sleep disorder, you will take it one hour before the beginning of your shift work.
Is Modafinil an Effective Sleep Aid?
Modafinil is a sleeping pill that works the opposite of other sleeping pills. Instead of helping you get to sleep it helps you to stay awake. It will decrease your sleepiness but it will not cure your sleep disorder. Modafinil contains 100mg or 200mg or modafinil which is a wakeful promoting agent. The following are inactive ingredients in this formula: lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, croscarmellose sodium, povidone and magnesium stearate.
Modafinil is a sleeping pill that can be habit forming so you need to be mindful of that when taking this medication. It should not be used in place of getting enough sleep.
Side Effects of Modafinil
Modafinil may cause serious side effects. A few of those side effects are serious rash or a serious allergic reaction that may affect parts of your body such as your liver or blood cells. These need immediate attention by a physician.
Other side effects that may be caused are: dizziness, nausea, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, diarrhea, constipation and gas. May decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives, may affect your judgement or thinking. They caution not to use alcohol. It warns not to drive until you know how this medication affects you.
Final Word on Modafinil
Modafinil does not sound like it is for the faint of heart. It is a potent medication that may be beneficial for those suffering from serious sleep disorders. However, it can be habit forming which is always a concern for those taking medications. It is an expensive prescription sleeping pill that may help but may cause many side effects that may not be worth it. It is up to you to decide if you want to try it. I would suggest you look on this website first to see what they recommend.
