Modafinil is used to treat excessive sleepiness caused by narcolepsy (a condition that causes excessive daytime sleepiness) or shift work sleep disorder (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 reviews
- I have been on this medicine for 7 years and cannot imagine life without it. It doesn’t seem to work for everyone, but is a lifesaver for me. I had a headache for 3 days when I started it and lost my appetite for a week. After that it was fine. I can get by on 200mg if I need to, but feel tired still most of the day (but won’t fall asleep unless I want to). My usual dose is 300mg which keeps me alert and I can’t even take a nap if I want to. Allan Defoor, May 25, 2012
- Really works, saved my job. Lonnie Permenter, September 28, 2011
- Ever since I was age 13, I would have sleep attacks almost everyday; about 5 days out of a week. It really affected my school work, because I just couldn’t force myself to stay awake. Two years ago, when I age 18, I finally investigated of why I was having these sleep attacks. I was eventually diagnosed with Narcolepsy from a Neurologist. He put me on Modafinil, 200mg in the morning and 100mg in the afternoon. Within a week I noticed a huge difference. I’ve never felt so awake and refreshed in years. Now I’ll only have around 10 sleep attacks per year. The only flaw this drug has is its price. MAKE SURE your insurance covers it. They may not at first, but give them documentation on your condition and they will. Harriett Marcinek, October 8, 2012
- I’ve used it for 10 days now in my most recent attempt to kick meth. It helps so much. It won’t buzz you, but it takes away the debilitating lethargy and depression. Lance Bearce, March 29, 2010
- Provigil (Modafinil) has been a good addition to my regimen for dealing with the symptoms of narcolepsy. I take different doses depending on severity of symptoms. I take 50 mg. twice a day most of the time. Or 100 mg. twice a day. I have tried 200 mg. once or twice a day and that’s where the side effects kick in (very dry mouth and headaches). It does keep me awake during the day most of the time, but sometimes I feel as if I never took it. But that’s where adding coffee or caffeine pills really helps. I feel safe taking this med and I’m happy to have discovered it. Jamie Virgin, November 28, 2011
- I suffer from sleep apnea. Provigil really helps improve my focus and concentration. I only wish it had been available when I was a student in college! No telling what I could have accomplished! Neil Blass, November 13, 2012
- I’ve been using Provigil in combination with Wellbutrin for my adult ADD. I’m almost 50 and was just diagnosed 3 years ago. I tried the stimulants and like the way they helped my concentration and focus but I couldn’t take them because of my high blood pressure. I’ve also tried Strattera which worked really well but again I couldn’t deal with the side effects (not being able to urinate can be painful). Provigil really helps slow down my racing thoughts but it doesn’t seem to help with my concentration or distract ability. I take it first thing in the morning and usually can’t get to sleep until midnight or 1.00am. Luckily I work at home so that’s not a real problem. I’m glad to see it’s worked well for some of the others who have posted comments. Rae Keplin, August 27, 2009
- I was good the first two days on this medicine but on the third day I got lots of itching and skin sensitivity. I was hoping this would work for me but it did not. Darren Vanostrand, December 14, 2012
- I started taking Modafinil about a year ago when it was suspected I had narcolepsy. I was tested and found it was Idiotic Hypersomnia (lack of melatonin) they call it Idiotic because they don’t know what causes it. Modafinil works one day for me then not the next. You can only take 200mg max per day. I went off it and on Ritalin. I am awake without any ill effects. I have recently been tested again for narcolepsy and was found that I am narcoleptic. The test given last year was done incorrectly (without my C-pap), it was supposed to be done WITH it on during my sleep study. All is good now. Neva Dora, October 12, 2011
- I have been on 2 x 200 a day for 10 months now, and it has not been the miracle drug for narcolepsy that some people talk about. I have given it a lot of time, but still have excessive daytime sleepiness. Works better for others I suppose. Also, does anyone else notice that it makes your urine smell weird? Darren Huntsberry, January 14, 2010
- For several years, I have been on Provigil, with a small dosage of Ritalin as a supplement. The Provigil was not enough for me, but it was much better than being on Ritalin alone. Ritalin had a tendency to make me anxious and talk constantly. Life is good now as a narcoleptic. Jamie Mucha, December 20, 2010
- I take Modafinil about 5 times a week. I have been on it since 12/06. I have to take “vacations” from it in order for it to work like it should. When I start it again, I get massive headaches but is worth it for the energy. My MS fatigue is so bad most of the time that I really need this medication. I do get headaches, nervousness, anxiety, and stomach issues while taking this pill. But all I do without taking it, is sleep. Erik Sheeler, April 6, 2012
- I take this pill only as needed because of the price, so I take it if I have an appointment or have to be somewhere on time or before 4 pm. I am a zombie if I don’t. I just can’t understand why it costs so much. Do they honestly think people can afford to pay this price? Earlene Melecio, September 6, 2011
- I have been taking Modafinil for 1 year now. I take 200mgs 3 x daily. It has helped me more than any other drug I have been prescribed, however I do get headaches and find myself dehydrated. Clinton Thibeaux, December 18, 2012
- Started night shift work again after being on days for 14 years. A friend told me about Provigil. Asked my doctor and got the prescription. Unbelievable! No drowsiness during the night, no spike and drop like caffeine or energy drinks, and fall right to sleep when I get ready to. I’m in the trucking industry and it’s great. Neil Slider, March 31, 2009
- Modafinil has given me my life back! I have been on 200mg twice a day and the results are great! When I quit teaching and went on my husband’s insurance, the insurance company refused to pay for two times a day, so my doctor put me on Nuvigil. I was on it for 6 weeks and I was always tired. I am moving back to Modafinil. Emilia Quinby, August 15, 2012
- I feel that 200 mg is probably best for me but makes me overly “chatty” and nonproductive in that manner, and my heart races. 100 mg does help me feel more awake in the morning but wears off very quickly. I still need a nap when I get home from work. Harriett Beekman, August 13, 2009
- My problem was falling asleep while driving and falling asleep in class at nursing school. My doctor prescribed Provigil at 200mg in the morning. The first day was simply incredible. After that it didn’t seem to work anymore. So the dosage was raised to 300mg. Same affect. So now I take 400mg only on the days when I have class. That seems to be enough to keep me going on the other days too. Provigil is a very good medicine, and I am blessed enough to have insurance that pays every penny so I am not aware of the price. (And I still have to make sure I get at least six hours of sleep at night.) Clare Ingold, August 7, 2012
- This is my second day on Provigil 200mg once a day and was hoping for a dramatic change but there was none. I have sleep apnea and CPAP was not enough. Passed out at work and not safe to drive. I can say I am a little more clear and not in sleepy fog. Hoping that it will get better or up my dose. Darren Lawver, October 19, 2011
- It saved my life, had forgotten normal people live this type of life, I feel normal again! I feel so lucky my doctor prescribed it. Brodnax, February 10, 2012
- Effective, yet EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE for folks like me who don’t have prescription coverage (insurance). Wish there was a generic form of this. This medicine has the least amount of side-effects and is very effective for me. Sharron Kondo, April 6, 2009
- I have had Multiple Sclerosis since 1978. For a long time there was no medication for M.S. I began taking 100 MG of Modafinil many years ago, but now take 200 MG twice daily. I switched to Methylphenidate 10 MG twice daily for 3 months, as my insurance, or lack of insurance, made Modafinil financially prohibitive. All I did was sleep. My fatigue was totally incapacitating! Now, with insurance in place, I’m back on Modafinil. I’ve re-entered life and realize how vitally important Modafinil is to my well being! Darryl Wethington, February 17, 2009
- Used to be active. Over last ten years extreme fatigue has grown to total dominance. Interest, hobbies and life in general just vanished. After extensive testing and use of CPAP, doc put me on 200mg/day Provigil, it was like a teaser not quite doing anything, but 400mg seemed to at least get me mentally more active, but does very little for the fatigue part. My major complaint is hard to describe, but after a couple of days I get a sore feeling in my mouth. I don’t grind my teeth, but tend to keep a negative pressure in my mouth causing a ridge to form along the tooth line, and slight but painful sores on the gum here and there, it has to be some form of tension, also affects sleep. Erik Feucht, February 7, 2011
I took Modafinil for 6 months with varying doses (100-300mg/day). It only took about 20-30 minutes to kick in and lasted roughly 7 hours. It gave me an incredibly high level of alertness. I also have mild cataplexy and sleep paralyzation, and it seemed to help keep both of these under control. However, it also gave me very bad nausea and an even worse headache. When the medicine wore off, my body reacted by immediately having a strong “sleep attack”. If I didn’t take my next dose before the first had worn off, the second didn’t seem to work. Also, my urine smelled strange and the smell got even stronger when I drank more water. This stopped as soon as I changed my medication to Adderall.
I work a rotating 12 hour shift 3 days, 3 days off, 3 nights. I have been taking 400 mg a day for 5 years and I cannot say anything bad about this medication.
It helps with my narcolepsy but isn’t strong enough. I can still fall asleep almost anytime.
I started taking 200 mg of Modafinil a couple weeks ago for debilitating chronic fatigue. It has definitely had a positive effect, although a subtle one. I am more awake, better able to focus and it is easier to overcome the inertia required to start something. I haven’t suddenly become energetic or highly productive like others, but there is a subtle difference. Unfortunately it has seriously impacted my sleep. My brain stays awake most of the night even though my body is exhausted. Additionally it gives me a pressure headache behind my eyes, and overall just makes me feel a little strange.
I feel like they have changed the RX in the last year. Why? Because although I don’t take it continuously, I can definitely tell the difference with Cephelon/TEVA…it used to light my mind on fire and now it just dulls…and it doesn’t add that ‘thinking’ component.
Thoughts?
The first week was great felt alert and not tired at all then the second week I began feeling even more tired
I got modafinil a few weeks ago when I discovered a great review on the product. It has worked amazingly for me. I do not get tired nor do I lose focused on my tasks at hand.
I rotate Provigil with Amantadine and Ritalin for the fatigue I have from my MS. It lasts about a year before I have to start again with one of the other ones. They all last about 1 year before I become immune or they are not as effective as they started out. It has been a godsend for me. It helps me focus and stay alert. I like what it does for me, so does my husband, not so tired all the time.
Provigil is currently added to the Prohibited List of the World anti-doping agency in 2004, because of its stimulant effect.
It has also got some negative publicity, when some sportsmen were found using modafinil for improving the performance.
At this stage there has been no studies made to understand what provigil does to physical performance of a person, therefore because of the similarity in action to amphetamine,provigil has been added to the list prohibited substances.
Brands of Modafinil:
Alertec – Canada, Ecuador
Carim – Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Uruguay
Provake – India (also Modalert, Modapro, Modafil, Modvigil, Modatec)
Modasomil Austria, Switzerland
Modavigil – Australia, New Zealand
Modiodal – France, Denmark, Iceland, Greece, Cyprus, Mexico, Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Norway, Turkey, Japan, Spain
Provigil – Belgium, Ireland, Italy, South Korea, United Kingdom, United States, South Africa, Israel, Finland
Resotyl – Chile (also Mentix, Alertex, Zalux)
Stavigile – Brazil
Vigia – Colombia
Vigicer – Argentina
Vigil – Germany
My depression is responsible for a sleeping disorder that makes it very hard for me to stay awake and functional: I have some kind of hypersomnia instead of the regular insomnia complaints patients have. Even though there are people that respond nicely to modafinil, I didn’t feel anything while associating 200mg of it to my SSRI. I couldn’t notice any improvement to my sleeping cycle or to my concentration. Side effects were absent too. Unfortunately it was not for me.
I will be starting modafinil (generic for:pro vigil). Tomorrow morning….I sure hope this will be my answers to help me get through the day without feeling soooo tired all day :((((. I’ve been on the CPAP machine since feb if this yr and don’t see a darn difference :(((( only thing I see that it does it helps w/my snoring….. Couldn’t believe the price of it…..so glad my ins pays for it!!!!! Not like reading the side effects of headaches though :(. I suffer from them every fricken day all day! So hopefully, this will give me my life back and I can get back to my exercising program and feel alive instead of a zombie……wish me luck everyone……..will let y’all know if this is helping me or not……..I sure hope it will…….stay tuned……..
good luck 🙂
Curious to see how it works for you. Today is my second day and after my second dose of 100mg, I fell asleep. I also get headaches pretty much every day… Hopefully my body will adjust like i’m seeing in a lot of these reviews.
Shift work at plant. Medicine allows me to think at 2 am when my body is shutting down. This medicine is not magic. You will not have magical capabilities to learn and solve the worlds problems. But you may function somewhat normally as a person again. Do feel some euphoria an hour after taking.
I have been taking Provigil for a week and every day I get headaches and my eyes are sensitive to light. Overall I love feeling back to normal and not tired all the time. I have tried cutting my pills in 1/2 and 1/4s to stop the side effects no luck.
What dose are you taking?
I am an industrial electrician. I work rotating 12 hours. After enough time my body got used to it and I was able to make it through the nights and not feel awful. Then I heard a commercial for Modafinil. So I figured I would give it a try. This is not a miracle. This won’t give you special powers and a super intelligence. What it has allowed me to do was still be able to think when I couldn’t before. At 3 in the morning when a problem presents itself I need to be able to think through it. I don’t feel an energy rush like with a cup of coffee. I feel like a normal person again. I’m able to not feel lethargic every single minute I’m awake.
Been taking 75mg Clomipramine before bed and 50-100mg Modalert in the morning. One helps me into bed and the other out. I seem to be lucky that 50mg modafinil keeps me alert and functioning. There is nervousness and anxiety which I sometimes use propanolol to suppress. I purchase all these online after a doctor refused my prescription for bipolar which I’d been taking for twelve years.
BTW, coffee on an empty stomach or with a high-carb meal that has a lot of sugar or processed carbohydrates is a recipe for a low blood sugar crash an hour later – anxiety, shakes, drowsiness, weakness — easy to confuse with medication side-effects or an anxiety attack. When I’m sensible I start my day with a _moderate_ amount of coffee and no-sugar whole grain muesli with sugar-free yogurt or something similar; even good old bacon & eggs is great for keeping your blood sugar level so long as you don’t have a cholesterol problem.
I never take more than 100 mg Modafinil at a time, and only occasionally feel the need for a 50 mg booster dose in the late afternoon. But I have had to work at a routine that makes it really effective; it won’t FORCE you to feel better!
Side effects are extremely rare for individuals taking Modafinil. If you do experience any of these issues, please contact a medical specialist as soon as possible. Neither of these drugs have been approved by the FDA for pediatric use, though some doctors may prescribe them to older children or teenagers.
I take Ritalin and Modafinil. Modafinil removes the fatigue from having concentrated, but does not make it easier. Ritalin makes concentrating easier. It also gives a slight boost in motivation, but it’s not much.
Ritalin is rather unpleasant I find, but I know that if I don’t take it I’m a mess. Modafinil on the other hand feels rather good, but only very slightly so. That might just be because of my condition, it would probably not do that for someone w/o hypersomnia, because increasing the dose does not make a difference in that respect for me.
I’m on Tofranil 25 for 3 months now. I have a big problem with much sleep and i’m taking Tofranil as they think of Depression as the cause of much sleep. Now I want to try (Modafinil) Provigil trying to solve the sleep problem. Can I take it with Tofranil without problems ?
I just started taking Modafinil 200MG a few days ago. I am excited to see how well this pill works for me. I have, for as long as I can remember been having problems staying awake. I can be wide awake, and then all of a sudden be so tired I can hardly function. It would be scary sometimes and be embarrassing while driving or working. I also have had a lot of challenges focusing on tasks. I thought I had short term memory loss, so I went and had a memory test. He said my memory is fine. I am in college and struggling to try to get all of my assignments done without stressing the hell out. He prescribed me these to try out. It has been great so far. I have not wanted to fall asleep in the middle of the day and have been able to stay focused. I am noticing that I can retain what I read and that is HUGE for me.