Modafinil is a wake-promoting agent that has been shown to improve narcolepsy-related subjective ratings of excessive sleepiness and objective measures of wakefulness. It also reduces the frequency of cataplexy in patients with narcolepsy.
In the studies included in this meta-analysis, modafinil 200mg australia was well tolerated. Headache and nausea were the most frequent adverse events.
Narcolepsy
Excessive daytime sleepiness is the main symptom of narcolepsy. It can cause serious problems at work, school, or home and raises the risk of accidents. It can also make it hard to maintain a relationship or have children.
The main treatment for narcolepsy is medicine. Doctors usually prescribe stimulants to help people stay awake. Modafinil (Provigil) and Armodafinil (Nuvigil) are better choices than older stimulants because they are less likely to be habit-forming and do not cause highs or lows.
Researchers think that narcolepsy is caused by a problem with parts of the brain that control sleep and wakefulness. People with narcolepsy have low levels of a chemical called orexin or hypocretin, which promotes wakefulness. They may have a deficiency in the part of the brain called the hypothalamus or problems with pathways that regulate sleep and wakefulness.
Two large studies found that after 40 weeks of Modafinil, narcoleptic patients’ symptoms were significantly improved. Their ESS scores were near normal, and they had fewer episodes of cataplexy.
Sleep Apnea
In the case of obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (a sleep disorder that causes you to stop breathing repeatedly while you are asleep), Modafinil is often used in conjunction with other treatments. These include nasal CPAP machines, mouthpieces, and weight loss.
Patients who are using these devices are often referred to as CPAP “responders.” They report that they experience significant improvements in their quality of life and can get more restful sleep. Research suggests that Modafinil can help improve CPAP compliance in some people.
However, this does not mean that Modvigil 200 mg is the best treatment for obstructive sleep apnea in everyone. Many experts believe that it should only be used in a few specific situations. For example, if a patient who has been using CPAP for years still experiences excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), it should alert us to the possibility that their OSA is returning or worsening, or that their device is not functioning properly. Suppressing EDS pharmacologically can obscure the presence of medically significant OSA and may even be harmful by masking the benefits of treatment.
Shift Work Sleep Disorder
Shift work sleep disorder is caused by shift schedules that disrupt the body’s natural circadian rhythm and lead to sleep deprivation. This can have serious consequences, including drowsy driving accidents and workplace mistakes. It can also affect your quality of life by reducing libido and energy levels.
Your doctor will diagnose shift work sleep disorder based on your history and a review of symptoms, including a sleep diary and an actigraphy test. He or she will also ask questions about your lifestyle and medications.
Shift work sleep disorder is treated with melatonin, hypnotics, and sedatives. These should only be used for short periods, and you should discuss the risks with your doctor. Modafinil is an alternative to these drugs and works by stimulating the central nervous system. It is effective in treating shift work sleep disorder and narcolepsy. It is also well-tolerated in patients with this condition. The most common side effects include headache and nausea.
Fatigue
Fatigue is a common complaint in patients with narcolepsy and is associated with decreased quality of life. Modafinil is a wake-promoting agent that significantly improves fatigue in narcolepsy. It also improves mood and health-related quality of life in narcolepsy.
The study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which outpatients with narcolepsy were enrolled after a 14-day washout of psychostimulants. Patients received either 200 mg of Modafinil or placebo for 6 weeks. Efficacy was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey and the Profile of Mood States. Safety was monitored using a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and clinical measures.
Data were analyzed within subjects by paired t-tests when assumptions for parametric testing were met; otherwise, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used. Mean changes from baseline in MFI-20 scores were compared between the Modafinil and placebo groups. Statistical significance was defined as p 0.05. The most common adverse events were headache (34% vs. 23%, respectively) and nausea (21% vs. 3%). Clinically significant increases in heart rate or systolic blood pressure were uncommon.