The prescription drug Modafinil is sold under the trade name of Provigil. Provigil is what is known as an analeptic drug. It has been approved by the United Stated Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, and day time sleepiness that is caused by sleep apnea. In Europe it is generally only prescribed for the treatment of narcolepsy.
Provigil may be used for a number of off label treatments in addition to those that the FDA has approved its use for. It may be used to treat ADHD, seasonal affect disorder which is also known as SAD, and may also be used as a doping agent for athletes. As a result, Provigil is on the prohibited list via the World Anti-Doping Agency, which means that athletes cannot test positive for its use. It has been on this list since 2004.
Interestingly, Provigil may also be indicated for the treatment of symptoms associated with Multiple sclerosis. Additionally, doctors will prescribe Provigil for the treatment of spastic cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, opiod induced sleepiness, myotonic dystrophy, chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as fibromyalgia.
Unfortunately, Provigil may be accompanied by some unintended side effects. These may include insomnia, agitation, anxiety, aggressiveness, confusion, tremor, sleep disturbance, nausea, and diarrhea. Most patients will not experience these side effects but those who do will usually find that they are self limiting and will dissipate on their own before the symptoms are bothersome enough to discontinue the medication.
