Modafinil is mostly used for patients with sleeping disorders. This is mostly used for those patients with excessive sleep. It is a drug that is used to improve wakefulness of the patient. However, it may also be used any other condition that may be prescribed by the doctor. It mainly works by altering the chemical composition of the neurotransmitter cells in the brain by improving its metabolic rate thus keeping the patient awake. You can learn more about Modafinil from their website.
More about Modafinil drug
Used on patients with these sleeping disorders
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
One should note that this drug should not replace the treatment your doctor may have prescribed for you. This is because it does not treat the condition causing OSA. One should contact their doctor first before they begin taking it.
Narcolepsy
This is a disorder which is characterized by recurrent and uncontrollable feeling to sleep, hallucinations and sleeps paralysis.
Shift work disorder
This is characterized by feeling sleepy when one is expected to be awake, feeling that one has had an insufficient sleep including others.
Precautions before use
Some medical conditions can get worse when one uses Modafinil. One should explain to the doctor or pharmacist if they are suffering from any medical condition before using the drug. If a woman is pregnant or planning to become pregnant within the days that she is supposed to take the drug, then it is advisable for her not to take the drug. If you are also taking some dietary supplement or on herbal treatment, then you should avoid the drug at all costs. One should also tell the doctor or pharmacist of any allergies that they may be suffering from so as to avoid complicating the situation.
How to use Modafinil safely
Modafinil should always be taken as prescribed by the doctor. Other dosing instructions are usually written on the attached leaflet. It is good to go through the leaflet so as to get firsthand information on what you need to do. Modafinil should be taken in the morning unless instructed otherwise. If you are using Modafinil for night shifts, it is better to take the drug at least an hour before reporting to work. If you miss a dose for one reason or another, it is advisable to take it at the earliest time possible. It is important to note that this drug should not be used in children.
Side effects
Common side effects include a headache, nervousness, having a dry mouth, anxiety, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea among others. The serious side effects include but are not limited to hallucinations, irregular heartbeats, fever, and depression among others.
Overdosage
There exists no specific antidote in case one overdose on this drug. In the case of overdose, the patient should be managed through primary support care and monitor their cardiovascular.
It is important to note that Modafinil will not cure the disorder. It should not take the place of having enough sleep. One should follow what their doctor has to say concerning healthy sleeping habits and combining Modafinil with other treatment options.