Provigil Effects

Provigil is a brand-name prescription medication that was developed by the drug company Cephalon. The active ingredient in Provigil is modafinil, which was approved in tablet form by the FDA to treat excessive sleepiness caused by narcolepsy, sleep apnea and other disorders, according to Drugs.com. RxList.com notes that modafinil is thought to work by altering the natural chemicals, called neurotransmitters, in the brain. Provigil is manufactured as 100 milligram and 200mg white tablets. Provigil produces both therapeutic and negative effects in users.

Therapeutic Effects of Provigil - Modafinil

According to DailyMed, the precise mechanism by which modafinil promotes wakefulness is unknown, although it does have wake-promoting actions similar to agents like amphetamines, which act on the central nervous system. Most likely, modafinil's main effect is on brain chemistry, in particular on neurotransmitters. Modafinil is prescribed for three main conditions: narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome and shift work sleep disorder.

PubMed cites a study published in a 2005 Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience that concluded modafinil significantly reduced the sudden sleep episodes and general sleepiness associated with narcolepsy at a dosage of 400mg daily, split in two equal doses.

Psychiatric Effects of Provigil - Modafinil

RxList notes that in addition to its wake-promoting actions, Provigil produces psychoactive and euphoric effects, alterations in mood, perception and thinking and feelings typical of other central nervous system stimulants. Although psychiatric adverse reactions have been reported in clinical trials of modafinil and are considered uncommon, most of the reports have been received post-marketing of the drug. Post-marketing adverse reactions associated with modafinil use have included mania, delusions, hallucinations and suicidal thoughts. Many, but not all, patients had a prior psychiatric history. Consequently, caution should be exercised when modafinil is given to patients with a history of psychosis, depression or mania.

Other uncommon central nervous system symptoms associated with modafinil use are anxiety, nervousness, confusion, agitation, depression and sleeplessness. These side effects should not be considered surprising as modafinil is related chemically to amphetamines as noted above.

Other Common Side Effects

Less serious but more common side effects have been noted with Provigil use. According to the "PDR Guide to Drug Interactions, Side Effects, and Indications," the most common side effects reported from six double-blind placebo-controlled clinical studies of 200, 300 and 400mg daily of Provigil tablets included: headaches that were dose dependent in 34 percent of patients; nausea in 11 percent of patients; running nose in 7 percent of patients; back pain in 6 percent of patients; diarrhea in 6 percent of patients; and dizziness in 5 percent of patients