Wakefulness-Promoting Medicines
Wakefulness-Promoting MedicinesExamples|
| armodafinil | Nuvigil | | modafinil | Provigil |
Modafinil or armodafinil is taken as a pill to decrease
sleepiness during the day. How It WorksModafinil and armodafinil work by
affecting chemicals in the brain. The effects improve alertness and
memory. Why It Is UsedModafinil and armodafinil are used to
relieve extreme sleepiness in people who are using
continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy to
treat sleep apnea but are still sleepy during the day. People who work night
shifts may take modafinil to stay alert. How Well It WorksIn people with sleep apnea who used
CPAP, treatment with modafinil or armodafinil improved alertness, reduced
tiredness, and improved memory.1, 2 Modafinil also helps people who have shift work
sleep disorder stay awake when they work nights.3
Shift work sleep disorder is trouble sleeping during the day because you work
nights. It also causes you to be sleepy at night when you need to be alert to
work. Side EffectsAll medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them. Ask your pharmacist about the side effects of each medicine you take. Side effects are also listed in the information that comes with your medicine. Here are some important things to think about: - Usually the benefits of the medicine are more important than any minor side effects.
- Side effects may go away after you take the medicine for a while.
- If side effects still bother you and you wonder if you should keep taking the medicine, call your doctor. He or she may be able to lower your dose or change your medicine. Do not suddenly quit taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you have: - Trouble breathing.
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor right away if you have: Common side effects of this medicine include: - Headache.
- Nausea and
diarrhea.
- Back
pain.
- Nervousness and anxiety.
- Inflammation of the tissues in the nose
(rhinitis).
- Problems sleeping
(insomnia).
- Dizziness.
When side effects occur, they are usually mild to
moderate. See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug
Reference is not available in all systems.) What To Think AboutWakefulness-promoting medicines are
recommended only after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy alone
does not get rid of daytime sleepiness in a person who has sleep apnea. The CPAP
therapy should continue during modafinil or armodafinil treatment. Some medicines may be affected by modafinil and armodafinil,
including warfarin, cyclosporin, and tricyclic antidepressants (such as
clomipramine and desipramine). Before you start using modafinil or armodafinil,
tell your doctor about all of the other medicines you are taking. People who have severe liver disease may need a lower dose of modafinil or
armodafinil. Taking medicineMedicine is one of the many tools your doctor has to treat a health problem. Taking medicine as your doctor suggests will improve your health and may prevent future problems. If you don't take your medicines properly, you may be putting your health (and perhaps your life) at risk. There are many reasons why people have trouble taking their medicine. But in most cases, there is something you can do. For suggestions on how to work around common problems, see the topic Taking Medicines as Prescribed. Advice for womenIf you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to get pregnant, do not use any medicines unless your doctor tells you to. Some medicines can harm your baby. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements. And make sure that all your doctors know that you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to get pregnant. Wakefulness-promoting medicines may interfere with birth control methods
that use a form of estrogen (ethinyl estradiol), such as birth control pills,
the birth control patch, and the vaginal ring. You may need to use another form
of birth control while you are taking modafinil or armodafinil. CheckupsFollow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take. Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication. ReferencesCitations- Hirshkowitz M, et al. (2007). Adjunct armodafinil
improves wakefulness and memory in obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.
Respiratory Medicine, 101(3): 616–627.
- Black JE, Hirshkowitz M (2005). Modafinil for
treatment of residual excessive sleepiness in nasal continuous positive airway
pressure-treated obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome. Sleep, 28(4): 464–471.
- Czeisler CA, et al. (2005). Modafinil for excessive
sleepiness associated with shift-work sleep disorder. New England Journal of Medicine, 353(5): 476–486.
Credits| By | Healthwise Staff |
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| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Mark A. Rasmus, MD - Pulmonology, Critical Care Medicine, Sleep Medicine |
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| Last Revised | May 14, 2012 |
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Last Revised:
May 14, 2012 Hirshkowitz M, et al. (2007). Adjunct armodafinil
improves wakefulness and memory in obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.
Respiratory Medicine, 101(3): 616–627. Black JE, Hirshkowitz M (2005). Modafinil for
treatment of residual excessive sleepiness in nasal continuous positive airway
pressure-treated obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome. Sleep, 28(4): 464–471. Czeisler CA, et al. (2005). Modafinil for excessive
sleepiness associated with shift-work sleep disorder. New England Journal of Medicine, 353(5): 476–486. Last modified on: 19 May 2013
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