developing isomers of a successful drug which has come off patent is
the tactic used by all of pharma. these are all "me too" drugs, and this new drug for "shift disorders" differs how?
"...Provigil is a racemic drug, meaning it contains a mixture of two different versions of the same molecule, which each have a slightly different effect. Nuvigil contains only one version of the molecule...

Effects Common to Both
Provigil and Nuvigil are stimulant medications, with arousal effects similar to amphetamines. While it is known that both drugs affect several different neurotransmitters, the exact mechanism by which they induce wakefulness is not understood.

Differences in Effect
According to the manufacturer, the primary difference between Provigil and Nuvigil is that Nuvigil has a longer half-life, meaning it remains in the blood longer. The actual difference in half-life between the two drugs is not specified. No other differences are noted...



Read more: The Difference Between Nuvigil & Modafinil | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5595693_di...odafinil.html#


Thus the new drug has a longer half life, but not long enough to be noted by the company? this pharma company spent lots of time and $$$ getting this "new improved" drug to be approved by the FDA. In addition, the company has medicalized sleepiness in night workers, branding the symptom "shift disorder", greatly expanding the population to whom the company can sell the drug. ALL these are common tactics used by pharma.
If interested, read Marcia Angell's book "the truth about the drug companies" or Merrill Goozner's book "the $800 million pill" or Robert Whitaker's book, "the anatomy of an epidemic"
A balanced article presenting both sides of the question:
http://www.sciencebase.com/science-b...alization.html

yes, narcolepsy is a real disorder--but "night shift disorder"? that's NOT narcolepsy, but it sure extends the numbers of people to whom this company can sell its "new improved" now still under patent drug.