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Provigil Review 2020

Item: Provigil
Rating: 7
Author: Jonathan Kerns

Provigil was developed and patented by a pharmaceutical company in France called Lafon Laboratories in the 1970s, to address the symptoms and provide a treatment for narcolepsy. By virtue of its name, vigil implies staying awake when you’re not supposed to be. Its main purpose is to aid a person to stay awake when doing so isn’t easy. Aside from promoting wakefulness, it also increases mental focus and other cognitive functions, like mood function and memory boost. There are some recorded side effects, but are otherwise rare enough occurrences that the benefits outweigh them.

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Jonathan KernsMay 23, 2019

Pros

Schedule IV – Drugs that are considered Schedule IV have low abuse potential. The reason a prescription is required is not because these types of drugs are prone to abuse, but for its off-label use as a nootropic.
No Dependency – Provigil’s lack of addictive qualities and physical withdrawal make it easy to stop taking it at will.
Patented Formula – Provigil is a trusted and established brand name of Modafinil manufactured by pharmaceutical company, Cephalon. It has been around since 1970 and approved around the world.
Enhances Physiological Functions – Apart from keeping you up and focused, it improves locomotor activity, implying less muscle fatigue.
Effect – Provigil has greater efficiency than the generic form.

Cons

Price – Provigil is prohibitively expensive at $50 per 200 mg tablet. Insurance providers do not cover off-label medications.
Prescription Only – To buy Provigil requires a doctor’s prescription especially in countries like the US. In fact, using Provigil without one can be considered illegal. An individual needs to be carefully monitored to check for adverse reactions.
Drug Interactions – When taken together with Provigil, effectiveness of other drugs can increase or decrease.
Reported Side Effects – Most common side effects of Provigil are headaches, nausea, and dizziness. More serious side effect reactions are skin rashes, high blood pressure, and abnormal heart rate.

Provigil Side Effects

If your doctor prescribes Provigil, it is because the benefit is deemed greater than the risk of side effects. Many people who use Provigil experience no serious side effects. They key is to follow your doctor’s instructions properly.

Individuals who experienced skin rashes while taking Modafinil should also avoid taking Provigil. This is because there have been reports that Provigil could cause serious allergic skin reactions as well. Such symptoms should not be ignored especially if it causes the person to have difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Provigil can also affect a person’s reflexes and sound judgement. Activities that would require a certain level of concentration and alertness should be handled with caution, at least for the time you’re unsure how your body will react to the medication.

Drug Interactions

Provigil is said to decrease or increase the activity of enzymes in the liver that metabolize other drugs. This can result in decreased levels of some drugs that reduce their effectiveness and increased levels of other drugs. Provigil treatment should be carefully monitored if taken with other medications.

Hormonal contraceptives such as progestin-only or estrogen and progesterone containing drugs may decrease effectiveness when taken with Provigil. This includes hormonal birth control such as pills, patch or ring. On the reverse side, anti-fungal medications such as Ketoconazole and Itraconazole can decrease the effectiveness of Provigil. Nervous system stimulants may also delay the action of Provigil.

Drugs that may show increased effects or toxicity if taken with Provigil are anti-coagulants, muscle relaxants, beta-blockers, anti-depressants, and anti-convulsants. Drugs that may increase the effectiveness of Provigil are analgesics, and some antibiotics.

It’s best to check the labels of your medications, including vitamins, diet aids and cough and cold products because these may contain ingredients that could increase your heart rate and blood pressure. Caffeine and alcohol may also increase the likelihood of side effects of Provigil.

How Provigil Should Be Taken

Provigil should be taken as instructed by your doctor. It’s against the law to share this medication with anyone. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. It’s also not allowed to be given to children less than 17 years of age.

The usual recommendation is to take Provigil in the morning to counteract sleepiness when you need to be alert and productive. For those with real sleep disorders, this could mean the world to them, to be able to function normally. It may be taken with or without food.

It may be taken with or without food.

If you have fears about possible Provigil abuse, or have a history of substance abuse, it might be a good idea to look into some natural nootropic solutions that present absolutely no danger and are not scheduled controlled substances.

Provigil Dose Information

As a treatment for Narcolepsy, the usual dose for adults is 200mg once a day.
As a treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome, the dose is 200mg once a day.
As a treatment for Shift Work Sleep Disorder, the dose is 200mg once a day, an hour before a work shift.
The use of Provigil for children is not FDA approved because of the risk of serious allergic reactions and other side effects.

What's the Verdict on Provigil?

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Provigil Review 2020 – Conclusion

Provigil is a prescription drug, so your doctor will recommend a dosage based on your condition and response to treatment. What makes Provigil (and its generic counterpart, Modafinil) popular is that it rarely has very serious side effects and rarely develops abnormal drug seeking reactions, based on the people who swear by it. Keep in mind that your doctor will recommend this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you outweighs the possible side effects. When you absolutely need that boost to get you through the day, keep in mind that Provigil or any medication goes hand in hand with lifestyle changes like regular bedtime, eating well, and exercise. In the long run, one without the other just doesn’t cut it.