The active ingredient modafinil is one of the most important remedies for sleeping sickness (narcolepsy). His approval for the treatment of sleep apnea, however, was withdrawn in 2011 because of an unfavorable risk-benefit profile. Modafinil is generally considered to be well tolerated, but in rare cases can cause headache and restlessness. Children and adolescents should take the drug only after consulting the doctor. Here you read everything important about Modafinil.
This is how Modafinil works
In the sleeping sickness, also snooze addiction or narcolepsy called, is sudden sleep attacks, which are characterized by an irresistible urge to sleep during the day. It comes to a partial or complete muscle relaxation (cataplexy) and sometimes hallucinations when falling asleep. Such a sleep attack usually takes between 10 and 20 minutes. Those affected suffer greatly from the symptoms because they can not anticipate the attacks (for example, at work).
One way to treat narcolepsy is to stimulate the central nervous system (spinal cord, brain ), such as modafinil. This will keep the person awake during the day.
The modafinil effect has not yet been fully elucidated. Part of the effect is based on the fact that the drug binds to the docking sites of the neurotransmitter adrenaline (so-called “α-receptors”). Adrenaline is usually responsible for the wakefulness of the body. The binding of the drug to the α-receptors activates the central nervous system and keeps the patient awake during the day.
Absorption, degradation and excretion of modafinil
The active substance modafinil is taken by mouth and absorbed almost completely (about 90 percent) from the intestine into the blood. The effect occurs after about one hour. The elimination of the drug takes a long time, remains of the drug can be detected for up to one month after ingestion in the body. The degradation takes place in the liver .
When will Modafinil be used?
Modalert is used in the following indication (indication):
- Sleepiness with or without relaxation of skeletal muscle (narcolepsy with or without cataplexy)
This is how Modafinil is used
The modafinil dosage is 200 to 400 milligrams daily. The active ingredient is usually swallowed in the form of tablets with plenty of fluid (preferably a large glass of water). It should preferably be taken in the morning so that the waking state lasts throughout the day and less sleep disturbances occur.
Patients with renal or hepatic impairment receive a reduced dose. Here is the full video about modafinil:
What are the side effects of Modafinil?
Very often, that is more than ten percent of those treated, modafinil causes side effects such as headache.
Often, that is, in one to ten percent of those treated, it comes after ingestion to restlessness, insomnia, anxiety, increased sweating and accelerated pulse.
Very rarely, life-threatening allergic reactions occur.
What should be considered when taking Modafinil?
Medications with modafinil should not be used with concomitant treatment with α-receptor blockers such as tamsulosin (in the enlarged prostate) or mirtazapine (in depression).
Patients suffering from addiction should not be given the active substance.
Interactions
The active ingredient modafinil can accelerate the breakdown of certain drugs and thus reduce their effect. These include:
- Itraconazole (in case of fungal diseases)
- Amitriptyline (in depression)
Co-administration of the drug with blood thinning agents (such as warfarin) should regularly check for blood clotting.
Hormonal contraceptives (the ” pill “) can attenuate the modafinil effect. Interactions are also possible with anticonvulsants.
Driving
Modafinil can alter the ability to react because the drug affects the central nervous system. Patients receiving the drug should await their individual response to the drug and then decide with the physician whether or not they can actively participate in road traffic. You can buy it on RXShopMD.com.
pregnancy and breast feeding period
Medications with modafinil should not be taken during pregnancy. There is little experience with use during breast-feeding. Therefore, the doctor decides about it in individual cases.
How to get medication with Modafinil
Medications with modafinil are prescription. You will receive them only with a prescription from the doctor in the pharmacy.
Since when is Modafinil known?
Modafinil has been in use for decades. Due to an unfavorable risk-benefit profile, the drug was withdrawn in 2011 for the treatment of sleep apnea (brief suspension of breathing during sleep). Only the use for the treatment of narcolepsy is allowed.
More interesting facts about Modafinil
Modafinil is used abusively to improve performance, for example, before exams or competitions. He is on the list of banned doping products. He became known mainly by a positive Modafinil test of the athlete Kelli White, who wanted to increase their athletic performance in 2003 with the drug.
