Modawake 200 mg

Description

Modawake 200 mg is an oral medication used to promote wakefulness and alertness in patients suffering from Narcolepsy and Shift Work Sleep Disorder. It contains Modafinil which reduces extreme sleepiness by altering certain chemicals that control the wake/sleep cycle. This medicine can be taken with or without food. It can be taken 1 to 2 hours before the work shift begins. The effects of this medication usually last for around 12 hours.

How it works

Modawake 200 mg contains the active ingredient Modafinil. It kicks off by modulating the chemicals in the central nervous system. It improves focus and alertness by increasing the level of dopamine and norepinephrine. Reducing the reuptake of dopamine in the nerves increases the level of dopamine in the brain. This increases focus and alertness, making the user stay awake for a longer period of time.

Uses

Narcolepsy: Narcolepsy is a neurological sleep disorder that affects your brain’s activity which controls the sleep-wake cycle. It causes you to have an uncontrollable urge to fall asleep during the day involuntarily.
Shift Work Sleep Disorder: Shift work sleep disorder occurs in individuals who work non-traditional or odd hours like late night shifts. It is characterized by excessive sleepiness, lack of sleep, and drowsiness.

Recommended Dosage

Modawake 200 mg is usually taken at a fixed time (in the morning) with the recommended dose as advised by your doctor.
If you are suffering from Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD), it can be taken an hour before your work shift starts. Swallow the tablet as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. It can be taken with or without food.

Missed Dose

If you happen to miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is time for your next dose. It should not be taken twice during a 24-hour window.

Overdose

In case of an overdose, seek medical help immediately. An overdose of this drug can lead to serious side effects.

Side Effects

Side effects of Modawake 200 mg include:

• headache
• dizziness
• difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• drowsiness
• nausea
• diarrhea
• constipation
• gas
• heartburn
• loss of appetite
• unusual tastes
• dry mouth
• excessive thirst
• nosebleed
• flushing
• sweating
• tight muscles or difficulty moving
• back pain
• confusion
• uncontrollable shaking of a part of your body
• burning, tingling, or numbness of the skin
• difficulty seeing or eye pain

If any of the above-mentioned side effects persist for long, seek medical attention immediately.

Medical Interactions

Certain drugs can interact with Modawake 200 mg and alter the way it works. These include:

• Anticoagulants (‘blood thinners’) such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• Antidepressants such as amitriptyline, amoxapine, clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil)
• Antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
• Diazepam (Valium)
• Medications for seizures such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital, and phenytoin (Dilantin)
• Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate)
• Propranolol (Inderal)
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft)
• Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
• Triazolam (Halcion)

Things to Take Care Of

• If you are allergic to Modafinil, consult your doctor before taking this drug.
• It is recommended to use the medicine in the morning because taking it later can induce insomnia.
• It is crucial to consult with a doctor before using this medicine.
• Let the doctor know about all the health conditions you are suffering from.
• Let the doctor know about all the other drugs or medications you are using.

Storage Instructions

• Keep the medicine in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight.
• Keep the medicine away from the reach of children and pets.
• Store the pills in an airtight container after the pack is opened.
• Do not consume the pills past their expiration date.

References

• Gerrard P, Malcolm R. Mechanisms of modafinil: A review of current research. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2007 Jun;3(3):349-64. PMID: 19300566; PMCID: PMC2654794.
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2654794/
• Battleday RM, Brem AK. Modafinil for cognitive neuroenhancement in healthy non-sleep-deprived subjects: A systematic review. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2015 Nov;25(11):1865-81. doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2015.07.028. Epub 2015 Aug 20. PMID: 26381811. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924977X15002497?via%3Dihub
• Repantis D, Bovy L, Ohla K, Kühn S, Dresler M. Cognitive enhancement effects of stimulants: a randomized controlled trial testing methylphenidate, modafinil, and caffeine. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2021 Feb;238(2):441-451. doi: 10.1007/s00213-020-05691-w. Epub 2020 Nov 17. PMID: 33201262; PMCID: PMC7826302.
  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00213-020-05691-w
• Minzenberg MJ, Carter CS. Modafinil: a review of neurochemical actions and effects on cognition. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2008 Jun;33(7):1477-502. doi: 10.1038/sj.npp.1301534. Epub 2007 Aug 22. PMID: 17712350. https://www.nature.com/articles/1301534
• Kredlow MA, Keshishian A, Oppenheimer S, Otto MW. The Efficacy of Modafinil as a Cognitive Enhancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2019 Sep/Oct;39(5):455-461. doi: 10.1097/JCP.0000000000001085. PMID: 31433334. https://journals.lww.com/psychopharmacology/Abstract/2019/09000/The_Efficacy_of_Modafinil_as_a_Cognitive_Enhancer_.7.aspx

Written & Reviewed By

Dr. William Henderson

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