Modafinil
Modafinil, sold under the brand name Provigil among others, is a medication to treat sleepiness due to narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder or obstructive sleep apnea. While it has seen off-label use as a purported cognitive enhancer to improve wakefulness in animal and human studies, the research on its effectiveness for this use is not conclusive. Modafinil has also shown evidence for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with significantly less abuse potential than conventional psychostimulants like methylphenidate. It is taken by mouth.
Side-effect profile of modafinil is generally benign (e.g. headache, trouble sleeping, and nausea). Rare serious dermatological reactions may occur in people with genetic predispositions and more commonly in pediatric patients, and, discontinuation is recommended at the earliest signs of rash or similar reactions. Serious rare side effects may include allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis, Stevens–Johnson syndrome, and hallucinations in people with history of psychosis. It is unclear if use during pregnancy is safe. The amount of medication used may need to be adjusted in those with kidney or liver problems. It is not recommended in those with an arrhythmia, significant hypertension, or left ventricular hypertrophy. Modafinil appears to work by modulating the areas of the brain involved with the sleep cycle.
Modafinil was approved for medical use in the United States in 1998. In the United States it is classified as a schedule IV controlled substance, although its classification has been called into question. In the United Kingdom it is a prescription only medication. It is available as a generic medication.
Q189561
narcolepsy
Concept
Q2398352
shift work sleep disorder
Concept
Q16606552
obstructive sleep apnea
Concept
Q119697
off-label use
Concept
Q742487
cognitive enhancer
Concept
Q181923
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Concept
Q422112
methylphenidate
Concept
Q168800
anaphylaxis
Concept
Q1053948
Stevens–Johnson syndrome
Concept
Q130741
hallucinations
Concept
Q11995
pregnancy
Concept
Q189331
arrhythmia
Concept
Q41861
hypertension
Concept
Q1628627
left ventricular hypertrophy
Concept
Q2238010
sleep cycle
UNK
Q928770
schedule IV controlled substance
PER
Q1643563
prescription only medication
Concept
Q506319
generic medication
Concept
Q410441
Modafinil
Concept
Q410441
Modafinil
Concept
Q410441
Modafinil
Concept
Q410441
Modafinil
Concept
1998-01-01T00:00:00Z^^http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#dateTime
1998
DATE
medical condition treated
medical condition treated
medical condition treated