Modafinil is a wakefulness-promoting drug prescribed for conditions like narcolepsy and shift work sleep disorder. It’s also increasingly used off-label as a cognitive enhancer for people who want to be more productive.
But is daily modafinil safe? That depends on your health and the way you take it. Read on to learn about the risks and benefits.
How to Take
When used as directed, modafinil online australia is a very safe medication. It works by improving your sleep cycle and may help with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, or shift work disorder. It’s not clear exactly how it improves sleep cycles, but it may work by mimicking certain chemicals in your brain that act like adrenaline or increasing dopamine activity.
Take your dose once a day in the morning or as prescribed by your doctor. It is important to not exceed the recommended dosage. It is usually taken in the morning on an empty stomach to avoid any possible gastrointestinal upset.
It is advised to drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration while taking modafinil. It is also important to inform your doctor about any medications you are currently taking, especially any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins/minerals and supplements, and herbal products. Modafinil can interact with some of these products and increase your risk of side effects such as heart rate or blood pressure increases.
It is also advised not to use modafinil if you are pregnant or breastfeeding as it could harm the fetus. It is not known if modafinil passes into breast milk so it’s best to consult your doctor before breastfeeding. Modafinil reduces the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives so it is important to use an alternate method of birth control while you are on it and for one month after.
Side Effects
Modafinil is in a class of medications called wakefulness-promoting agents. It works by affecting certain chemicals in your brain that control sleep and wakefulness. It is prescribed to treat narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) in combination with breathing devices or other treatments. It is also sometimes used off-label to reduce fatigue associated with attention deficit disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, depression, idiopathic hypersomnia, jet lag, and other conditions. It is often taken as a “smart drug” by students, soldiers, and shift workers for its perceived cognitive-enhancing effects (nootropic effect) and to improve performance.
Modafinil may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke in people with high cholesterol, a history of heart disease, or a family history of these conditions. It can also cause dizziness. Do not drive or use machinery if you are dizzy. Drinking alcohol or using marijuana (cannabis) can make these side effects worse.
Modawake 200 mg can decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control pills, patches, rings, or injections. Talk to your doctor about using a non-hormonal backup method of birth control while taking modafinil and for one month after stopping it. This medication can also speed up how quickly your liver processes other medications, including anticoagulants and certain medicines to treat hepatitis C or HIV. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and OTC drugs, vitamins/minerals, and herbal products.
Precautions
Modafinil is often considered the crown prince of the so-called smart drugs, a seductive group of pharmaceutical friends that promise improved memory, motivation, and unrelenting focus for hours at a time. It is less likely to cause side effects like excess locomotor activity, anxiety, jitteriness, or rebound effects than traditional stimulants. But it is not without risks, particularly for people with narcolepsy.
Modafinil can increase the risk of heart problems and high blood pressure in some people, especially if taken for a long time or at higher doses than prescribed by your doctor. It can also interact with a number of other medications, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products.
Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist what other medications you are taking, including ones bought at the grocery store or pharmacy. It is particularly important to let them know if you have serious liver or kidney problems, or if you have had an organ transplant.
Modafinil can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. It should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. The effects of this medication wear off after a few days, so it is generally only used on a daily basis to treat narcolepsy and other sleep disorders. It should not be used by people who have a history of drug abuse or addiction.
Overdose
If you or someone you know takes large doses of modafinil regularly, it is considered abuse and leads to addiction. As with any drug, it can cause serious side effects like high blood pressure and chest pain if used in excess or mixed with certain other drugs. Taking too much Modafinil can also lead to mental health symptoms including confusion and hallucinations.
Although it is rarely prescribed for anything other than narcolepsy and shift work sleep disorder, it is widely available without prescription on the street. It is also commonly abused by students and business people hoping to get an edge on the competition, and it has become increasingly popular among teenagers who are trying to cram for exams or score higher grades.
Even children have accidentally ingested modafinil in small amounts and have been fine. However, it is still a good idea to keep this medication away from children because it can be harmful to them if they ingest too much.
In addition, you should not mix Modafinil with other drugs unless it has been approved by your doctor. It interacts with at least 35 different medications, and mixing them can result in dangerous side effects. If you are unsure of what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist before you start a new medicine. They can tell you what to avoid and help you stop abusing Modafinil.