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Provigil
is an anti-narcoleptic agent used to improve wakefulness in
patients with narcolepsy (sudden uncontrollable attacks of daytime
sleepiness). It may also be used to treat other conditions as
determined by your doctor. This medicine is a wake-promoting
agent for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness associated
with narcolepsy. Provigil has been proven to help people with
narcolepsy stay awake. Provigil improves daytime wakefulness,
allowing people with narcolepsy to participate in daily activities.
| Provigil
(modafinil) is used to improve wakefulness in patients with
narcolepsy, a condition that causes excessive daytime sleepiness.
Provigil is in a class of medications called central nervous
system (CNS) stimulants. Provigil does not cure narcolepsy
and will only work as long as you continue to take it. Provigil
may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist
for more information.
Directions
Provigil
(modafinil) comes as a tablet to be taken by mouth. Provigil
is usually taken once a day in the morning. Follow the directions
on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor
or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.
Take modafinil exactly as directed. Provigil may be habit
forming. Do not take more or less Provigil or take it more
often than prescribed by your doctor.
Side Effects
Provigil may cause side effects. Tell your
doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go
away: headache, upset stomach, nervousness, difficulty falling
asleep or staying asleep, dizziness, depression, diarrhea,
runny nose, dry mouth, loss of appetite, vomiting, neck
pain or stiffness, confusion or forgetfulness. Some side
effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon,
but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
chest pain, fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat, shortness
of breath, rash or hives, fever, sore throat, chills, and
other signs of infection. Provigil may cause other side
effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems
while taking this medication.
Precautions
Before taking Provigil, tell your doctor
and pharmacist if you are allergic to Provigil or any other
medications. Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription
and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements,
and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any
of the following: anticoagulants (''blood thinners'') such
as warfarin (Coumadin); antidepressants such as clomipramine
(Anafranil) and desipramine (Norpramin); antifungals such
as itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral); cyclosporine
(Neoral, Sandimmune); diazepam (Valium); medications for
seizures such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital
(Luminal, Solfoton), and phenytoin (Dilantin); monoamine
oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including phenelzine (Nardil)
and tranylcypromine (Parnate); propranolol (Inderal); and
rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane). Your doctor may need to change
the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for
side effects. Tell your doctor if you drink large amounts
of alcohol or have a history of drug abuse; if you have
ever had chest pain, irregular heartbeats, or other heart
problems after taking a CNS stimulant; and if you have or
have ever had high blood pressure, a heart attack, angina
(chest pain), mental illness, a history of drug abuse; or
heart, liver, or kidney disease. Provigil may decrease the
effectiveness of oral contraceptives (birth control pills).
Use another form of birth control while taking Provigil
and for 1 month after you stop taking it. Tell your doctor
if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
If you become pregnant while taking Provigil, call your
doctor. Provigil may affect judgment or thinking. Do not
drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this
medication affects you. Avoid alcohol while taking Provigil.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose of Provigil as soon
as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the
next dose of Provigil, skip the missed dose and continue
your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose
of Provigil to make up for a missed one.
Storage
Keep Provigil in the container it came in,
tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store Provigil
at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture
(not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is
outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about
the proper disposal of your medication.
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