A high level a quick recap of the section of the product.

Brand name: Provigil. Modafinil, the active substance. The medicine is prescribed to promote wakefulness in adults who experience excessive daytime sleepiness due to conditions such as narcolepsy, shift-work sleep disorder, or obstructive sleep apnoea when residual sleepiness persists despite primary therapy.

The usual tablet doses are 100 mg and 200 mg. Although modafinil is sometimes discussed in popular media as a cognitive enhancer, it is a prescription medication in Australia and not a dietary supplement.

If you want quick access to related topics, jump to Substitute medicines and analogous drugs, Prices, or The current australian legal standing.

How modafinil produces wakefulness

Modafinil appears to raise alertness by acting on multiple neurotransmitter systems in the brain. It is thought to affect dopamine, norepinephrine, histamine, and orexin pathways. The detailed molecular the mechanism in play remains incompletely described, but the overall clinical result is reduced daytime sleepiness and improved vigilance for many patients.

Dosing strategy guidance and administration

Always follow the prescription directions provided by your clinician. Do not adjust the dose or end treatment without medical advice.

If your work or safety depends on sustained alertness, discuss timing and continuous monitoring with the assistance of your prescriber. See Practical safety guidance and things to avoid for further practical advice.

Before you begin, take a moment modafinil

Do not take modafinil if you have previously had a serious adverse reaction to modafinil or armodafinil, such as severe skin eruption, facial swelling, or breathing difficulties.

Tell your doctor about any history of:

Although rare, life-threatening skin reactions and severe hypersensitivity reactions have been reported. If you develop a new rash, blisters, mouth ulcers, fever, swollen limbs, yellowing of skin or eyes, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or facial or throat swelling, stop the medicine immediately and seek urgent medical attention.

Unadministered dose leading to overdosing

Safety oriented tips and things to avoid

Negative temporary side effects and warning cues

Seek immediate medical help if you experience signs of a severe allergic reaction such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop modafinil and get urgent assessment for any of the following warning symptoms:

More common, typically milder effects that often settle with time include head ache, nausea, insomnia, nervousness, stomach upset, dizziness, or nasal congestion.

For ongoing or troubling symptoms, consult your prescriber. Revert to the upper edge of the page.

Effects of medications on birth control advice

Modafinil can speed up the activity of some liver enzymes, especially those in the CYP3A4 family. This can reduce blood levels of medicines that are metabolised by these enzymes.

Other possible therapeutic options and related drugs

Treatment choices depend on the underlying condition, symptom severity, comorbidities, and individual tolerance. Options that clinicians may consider include:

For information on sports regulation as well as therapeutic exemptions, see The current legal status of residents in Australia and regulatory environment.

Estimated price range in Australia (AUD)

Prices depend on brand, pharmacy, pack size, and whether you are eligible for subsidy under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The following ranges are indicative for private purchase and may change over time:

If you meet PBS criteria for a subsidised prescription (for example, defined narcolepsy indicators), your out-of-pocket cost will normally be the PBS co-payment amount for general or concessional patients. Ask your pharmacist for a current quote.