Provigil
 

Can anyone tell me anything about this drug?

My neuro's off ice just called and said this would help with my extreme exhaustion. Didnt say much else.

Thanks!!!!

I've been taking Provigil for about 4 years for MS Fatigue. It works quite well. I can honestly say that I could not get through the day without it.

I take between 200-400mg per day every day. And I also drink 3-4 cups of coffee a day (not DECAF either). I don't drink soft drinks, just coffee.

Here's a link from the NMSS website with some information about Provigil (modafinil).

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/abo...nil/index.aspx

Here's some information about Fatigue that may also help too. http://www.nationalmssociety.org/abo...gue/index.aspx

Report back on how you are doing!

I used to take this a few years ago. It was originally designed for Narcolepsy and for people with 'shift work sleep disorder'. I used to have to drive great distances and would get very drowsy and my doctor prescribed this for me. I liked it because unlike No-Doze and similar meds, it wakes you up and gives you a bit of energy, but you do not feel high nor do you have that shaky feeling you have with those meds. You take it and then a few minutes later, all of the sudden, you are just not sleepy anymore.

The only problem I had with it was my insurance company. They did not want to pay for it unless you had the diagnosis of Narcolepsy and it was VERY expensive. Fortunately, I worked for a doctor and I could get free samples. But like I said, this was several years ago and I understand things have changed in that regard.

Some of the insurance companies are "seeing the light" about approving it for people with MS. I am not having any problems getting it now with my MS dx. I have Tricare and there is a box on the prior authorization form that asks if this patient has a dx of MS. No hoops to jump through, no nothing. Doc just checked that box and that was it!

Was on Provigil for CRPS and SleepApnea
 

Provigil works great for daytime drowsiness. I was on it for year treating my CRPS Type I, COPD and Sleep Apnea. But after I could no longer tolerate the CPAP/BiPAP Machine Pressure on my sinuses they (My Insurance) cut me off saying I refused to follow the prescribed Sleep Apnea regiment. My Pharmacist said it was the most expensive med I was on. Put 2+2 together and you get Provigil Cut Off! Got 'a love 'em...I understand that they have to watch their dollars but as I have multiple problems that cause me to lose a lot of sleep I wonder how they can just look at one of my conditions and say that it is the defining condition even though CRPS and COPD and Sleep Apnea are all Life Threatening!? But yes Provigil worked great and will likely be buying it myself going forward...

Is there a generic drug for provigil? My husband has taken it in the past for PBC, a disease of the liver that he has where he gets very tired during the afternoon. He is currently taking Nuvigil but the cost of it is causing us to explore other options. I had heard that there might be a generic for it.

Hi Nana, welcome.

To be sure, I think your best option might be to call your pharmacist and/or insurance company and ask them.

Doc