Modalert is a brand of modafinil,(Provigil) containing 200mg of the active ingredient. Modalert is used to treat excessive sleepiness caused by sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or shift work sleep disorder. Researchers believe that this drug works by increasing the synaptic availability of neurotransmitters like monoamines, catecholamines, dopamine, serotonin, adenosine, and noradrenaline. Modafinil affects the hypothalamus, hippocampus and amygdala which are parts of the brain.
How should I take Modalert?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take Modalert in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Modalert may be habit-forming. Never share Modalert with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away Modalert is against the law.
Modalert is usually taken each morning to prevent daytime sleepiness, or 1 hour before the start of a work shift to treat work-time sleep disorders. Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
You may take Modalert with or without food. Modalert is usually given for 12 weeks or less. If you are taking Modalert to treat sleepiness caused by obstructive sleep apnea, you may also be treated with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine. This machine is an air pump connected to a mask that gently blows pressurized air into your nose while you sleep. The pump does not breathe for you, but the gentle force of air helps keep your airway open to prevent obstruction.
Do not stop using your CPAP machine during sleep unless your doctor tells you to. The combination of treatment with CPAP and Modalert may be necessary to best treat your condition.
Modalert will not cure obstructive sleep apnea or treat its underlying causes. Follow your doctor’s instructions about all your other treatments for this disorder.
Call your doctor if you continue to have excessive sleepiness even while taking Modalert. Taking Modalert does not take the place of getting enough sleep.
Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Modalert is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.
How long does the effects of Modalert last?
The minimum effective dose of modafinil is 100 mg. Single doses as high as 400 mg administered after at least 40 Hours of sleep loss improve performance and are well tolerated.
However, the benefits of a 400 mg dose over a 200 mg or 300 mg dose appear to be minimal. Modafinil 200 mg adequately sustains performance at near baseline levels for up to 10hours.
Despite early claims that modafinil does not interfere with sleep, results have shown that modafinil impairs sleep if the sleep period is initiated within modafinil’s duration of action. Whether modafinil causes rebound hypersomnolence in humans has not been reported.
How Long Modalert Stays In Your System
The half-life of Modafinil ranges between 10 and 12 hours for most patients but can last up to 15 hours for some. Modalert is metabolized in the liver. Its inactive metabolites are excreted in the urine.
Depending on various factors, urinary excretion of unchanged Modalert ranges from 0 percent to 18.7 percent. Most Modalert is excreted as one of two major circulating metabolites: modafinil acid or modafinil sulfone. Modafinil and its metabolites may be present at testable levels in the urine for up to 30 hours following ingestion.
Modalert can be tested for in plasma, serum and urine. Modafinil is not usually tested for in routine drug screenings. Modafinil use is unlikely to cause false positives for stimulants such as amphetamines. Instrumental techniques using liquid chromatography or gas are employed to test for Modafinil is cases of automobile accidents and post-mortem analysis.
What are the side effects of Modalert?
Modalert can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Modalert. This list does not include all possible side effects.
For more information on the possible side effects of Modalert, or tips on how to deal with a troubling side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
More common side effects
The more common side effects of Modalert can include:
- headache
- nausea
- feelings of nervousness
- anxiety
- trouble sleeping
- loss of appetite
- dry mouth
- dizziness
- runny nose
- diarrhea
- upset stomach
- back pain
- chest pain
Some people may also experience less frequent side effects, such as:
- rapid heartbeat
- depression
- constipation
- vertigo
- tremor
- confusion
Serious side effects
Serious side effects from Modalert aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
Severe rash
In rare cases, Modalert can cause a severe rash within the first few weeks of taking it. It may occur along with vomiting and fever, and may lead to problems with the liver, lungs, kidneys, and heart.
If you develop a rash while taking Modalert, call your doctor right away. If the rash is related to Modalert, you’ll likely need to stop taking the drug.
Serious allergic reaction
Rarely, people who take Modalert may have an allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:
- severe rash or hives
- trouble breathing or swallowing
- swelling of your lips, tongue, or face
- rapid heartbeat
Heart effects
These effects are more likely to happen in people with a heart condition or high blood pressure, but can occur in people without heart conditions. Symptoms can include:
- chest pain
- palpitations (pounding heartbeat)
- trouble breathing
- high blood pressure requiring treatment with medication
If you have these side effects, talk to your doctor right away. Your doctor may need to check you for heart conditions, or monitor your heart rate and blood pressure.
Mental health effects
Some people who take Modalert can have mood or mental health-related side effects, such as:
- anxiety
- depression
- feelings of nervousness
- confusion
- irritability
some cases, these side effects can become severe. Although rare, some people have had thoughts of suicide, symptoms of psychosis (such as delusions or hallucinations), mania, and aggression. These side effects are more likely to happen in people who have had mental health problems in the past.
Long-term side effects
Taking Modalert long-term may increase the risk of developing psychological and physical dependence. However, this side effect seems to be rare, and may be more likely when the drug is used in high doses, or if it’s misused or abused.
Modalert abuse is not common. It’s more likely to occur in people who have a history of alcohol or drug abuse. Most people don’t seem to have withdrawal symptoms when stopping treatment with Modalert.
Driving warning
Before you drive while taking Modalert, wait until you know how the drug will affect you. If you feel lightheaded, confused, or sleepy after taking it, don’t drive or use dangerous equipment.
Although Modalert helps reduce sleepiness in people with narcolepsy or other conditions, it may not provide full wakefulness. In addition, Modalert might cause certain side effects, such as dizziness or confusion, that may impair your ability to drive.
How much is Modalert per pill?
The cost of high end brands of modafinil oral tablet 200 mg is around $217 for a supply of 20, depending on the pharmacy you visit. Studies have shown that around 83% people prefer using generic modafinil like Modalert, as the brand-labeled drug (Provigil) is considered too expensive. The price of Modalert ranges from $ 0.75 to $2.8 per tablet depending on the pharmacy and quantity being purchased. SEE: How to Spot Fake Modalert
