Modafinil a fatigue-fighting agent
Modafinil is described as a unique wake-promoting agent that is chemically distinct from traditional stimulants.
This drug has been shown, in a number of trials, to help combat fatigue in multiple sclerosis with few side-effects. A dosage of 100mg once daily would appear to be sufficient to benefit the fatigue of MS. It can also be used at a higher dose to treat narcolepsy, a sleep disorder.
Modafinil goes under a number of brand names including: Provigil, Vigicer, Modalert, and Alertec. It is manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Cephalon.
Although side-effects are few, occasionally it can produce headaches or digestive inflammation.
In addition to treating fatigue in multiple sclerosis, Modafinil is also used to treat Alzheimer’s Disease, depression, attention-deficit disorder, myotonic dystrophy, schizophrenia and cocaine addiction.
Modafinil induces wakefulness in part by its action in the anterior hypothalamus. Its dopamine-releasing action in the nucleus accumbens is weak and dose-dependent; the likelihood of a euphoric response (‘abuse potential’), dose-escalation and tolerance is thus apparently small.
Side-Effects
- Back pain
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- headache
- nausea
- nervousness
- runny nose
- stomach upset
- stuffy nose
- trouble sleeping
Brand Names
- Provigil
- Nuvigil
- Adrafinil
- Alertec
- Modavigil
References
We tried Modafinil…and it’s pretty good
Modafinil on Drugs.com
