anybody heard of this drug?
 

http://provigil.com/

has anyone heard of this or tried it? what do you think?

Provigil/ Modafinil
 

Hi, I did some research in MICROMEDEX, a drug reference.

• This preparation may contain one or more substances that are restricted in certain sports; competitors should check with the appropriate sports authorities.

• Improves daytime wakefulness in people with uncontrollable sleepiness caused by narcolepsy or sleep apnea. Also used in people who are sleep deprived from working odd hours such as a night shift.

Brand Name(s):Provigil
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to modafinil.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using dextroamphetamine (Adderall®, Dexedrine®), itraconazole (Sporanox®), ketoconazole (Nizoral®), methylphenidate (Ritalin®), or rifampin (Rifadin®, Rimactane®). Tell your doctor if you are using blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin®), or an MAO inhibitor such as Marplan®, Parnate®, Nardil®, or Eldepryl®.
Your doctor should know if you are also using medicine for depression such as clomipramine or desipramine, or medicine for seizures such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, or Tegretol®.
Talk to your doctor if you are also using cyclosporine (Neoral®, Sandimmune®), diazepam (Valium®), phenytoin (Dilantin®), propranolol (Inderal®), or triazolam (Halcion®). Your dosages of these medicines may need to be adjusted if you use them together with modafinil.
Birth control pills, implants, shots, or an IUD may not work while you are using modafinil. To keep from getting pregnant, use another form of birth control while you are using this medicine and for one month after your last dose. Other forms of birth control include condoms, a diaphragm, or contraceptive foam or jelly.
Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
Warnings While Using This Medicine:

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you are planning to become pregnant.
Tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, kidney disease, or liver disease. Tell your doctor if you have a history of mental illness or drug abuse.
Make sure your doctor knows if you have heart rhythm problems, mitral valve prolapse, or have recently had chest pain or a heart attack.
Until you know how this medicine affects you, avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that requires you to be alert.
This medicine is not for use with occasional sleepiness that has not been diagnosed as caused by narcolepsy, sleep apnea, or shift-work sleep disturbance.
Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
This medicine may be habit-forming. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor for instructions.
Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
Chest pain.
Fast, slow, pounding, or irregular heartbeat.
Feeling unusually agitated, aggressive, confused, or excited.
Numbness, tingling, or burning pain in your hands, arms, legs, or feet.
Severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Tremors or shaking.
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
Unusual thoughts or behavior.
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Anxiety, nervousness, trouble sleeping.
Back pain.
Headache.
Nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach, loss of appetite.
Runny or stuffy nose, dry mouth, sore throat.

PROVIGIL info

[[ Excessive Sleepiness

Do you feel tired even when you have had enough sleep? Do you often feel like you just don't have the energy to do the things you need to do?

Everyone gets sleepy from time to time, but if sleepiness is keeping you from doing the things you need to do on a daily basis, you may be suffering from excessive sleepiness, a common and often serious symptom of several sleep disorders such as narcolepsy, OSA and SWSD. If you think you may have excessive sleepiness, talk to your doctor.

What is excessive sleepiness?

Excessive sleepiness is when you feel unusually sleepy, such as having a really strong urge to doze off or nap at times when you want to be fully alert and awake. People with excessive sleepiness may feel as if they just don't have the energy to do the things they need to on a daily basis, such as spending time with their family or performing duties at work.

It is not uncommon for people suffering from excessive sleepiness to complain of:

* Tiredness
* Fatigue
* Difficulty concentrating or paying attention
* Low motivation

If you experience any of these symptoms, despite adequate sleep, you may be suffering from excessive sleepiness resulting from a sleep disorder.

How many people experience excessive sleepiness?

If you think you may be suffering from excessive sleepiness, you are not alone. It is estimated that as many as 1 out of every 10 Americans is affected by excessive sleepiness.

What are the consequences of excessive sleepiness?

Excessive sleepiness can have a negative impact on a person's daily life. People with excessive sleepiness often have problems concentrating and performing daily tasks at work and at home. For many people, excessive sleepiness can be misinterpreted as laziness or not having the capacity to learn. Excessive sleepiness can also have a negative impact on a person's relationship with his or her family, coworkers, and friends.

For more information on the consequences of excessive sleepiness, visit www.sleepfoundation.org.

Unfortunately, many people with excessive sleepiness don't talk to their doctor about their symptoms. If excessive sleepiness is interfering with your daily life, talk to your doctor. You may have a sleep disorder causing your excessive sleepiness. If so, there are treatment options available.

Note: PROVIGIL is only for excessive sleepiness associated with certain sleep disorders such as narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome and shift work sleep disorder. Talk to your doctor to see if PROVIGIL is right for you.

PROVIGIL is now indicated to improve wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness associated with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome and shift work sleep disorder. ]]

http://provigil.com/patient/sleepine...leepiness.aspx

Please
 

very simple if you haven't please talk to your Dr. Reading all of the
above made me tired. Dr. please :) Sue

Basically, it's just an "upper" used by students writing their papers or pulling an 'all-nighter', or pilots to stay awake on a long shift...
Sounds pretty dangerous for people with RSD because of the other meds people with RSD tend to be on (anti-depressants, anti-convulsants).

CrazyMeds
 

Provigil is discussed (under Stimulants)

www.crazymeds.org

Site created by/for "Mentally Interesting" has info on meds, uses besides "MI" --different than most med info sites --like those sponsered by The drug mfg. --more personal --pros & cons , side f/x & more
Caterogories, types of meds explained--OFF label & FDA approved uses

AntiConvulsives, AntiDepressants & many more....

I took Provigil briefly; it is a weird drug. Helped w/ excessive daytime sleepiness caused by sleep disorders. but exacerbated insomnia, and nerve pain & neuro SX.

It is a drug they use for people with narcolepsy. I have a script for it though due to excessive sleepiness due to RSD & the drugs I take to try to control RSD. I still have the script & my doctor recently renewed it. I do NOT take it every day. It can be taken twice a day if needed. I only take it when I need to be up & alert. It does work quite well. If I were able to have continued working even though having RSD I would probably take it atleast 3 times a week to stay more alert.

I did find if taken too often during any given week, I would have problems falling asleep when I wanted to do so.

DebbyV