Modafinil: Take a Look at Wakefulness-Promoting Agents

0
3699

Modafinil is the eugeroic drug used to relieve shift work sleep disorder, excessive daytime sleepiness, and narcolepsy. Due to the risk of the increase of skin or hypersensitivity reactions and chronic psychiatric reactions, the European Medicines Agency has suggested that new patient prescriptions should only be to relieve sleepiness associated with narcolepsy. Armed forces of different states are known to have defined interest in modafinil as a substitute for amphetamine (the pill traditionally issued in combat missions or lengthy missions where the troops face sleep deprivation).

The French government indicated that the Foreign Legion used mod alert during particular covert missions. The UK’s Ministry of Defense ordered a study into modafinil from QinetiQ and offered a budget of £300,000 on an analysis. In 2011, the Indian Air Forces declared that modafinil was integrated into contingency schemes. In the US military, modafinil has been recognized for certain Air Force missions and it’s being examined for other reasons.

As of November 2012, modafinil is the only pill recognized by the Air Force as the “go drug” for fatigue management; therefore, the use of dextroamphetamine is banned. The Canadian Medical Association Journal also reports that Reddit modafinilcat is used by astronauts on long-term assignments aboard the International Space Station. Modafinil is manufactured to help with the disruptions in the circadian rhythms, ease the reduced quality of sleep those astronauts experience, and optimize performance with fatigued.

What Are the Different Uses of Modafinil?

Modafinil reduces extreme sleepiness as the result of narcolepsy and other sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea (the periods of stopped breathing during sleep). It’s also used to help you stay dynamic during work hours if you have a work schedule that stops you from having a normal sleeping pattern –known as shift work sleep disorder. This treatment does not treat these sleep conditions and may be unable to eliminate all of your sleepiness.

Modafinil doesn’t work as a replacement for having enough rest. It shouldn’t be used to cure tiredness or hold off sleep in people who don’t have a sleep condition. It’s unclear how this drug works to keep you dynamic. It’s thought to work by changing certain compounds in the brain that regulate the sleep/wake cycle.

What Are the Side Effects of Modafinil?

As stated by a particular reference, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, nervousness, nausea, and headaches may occur. If any of those effects persist or worsen, inform your personal doctor or pharmacist. Bear in mind that your doctor has prescribed this treatment because they have judged that the benefit is greater than the danger of side effects. Many people using this pill don’t have chronic side effects. Inform your doctor if you have serious side effects such as mental or mood changes, irregular heartbeat, and fast pulses. The mental or mood changes include rare thoughts of suicide, hallucinations, depression, and confusion.

Get medical help right away if you have very serious side effects such as pain. Read more about the medication guide offered by your doctor or pharmacist before you start taking modafinil.