Last Updated on February 24, 2020 by Nick J-Pepe
With the popularity of Modafinil on the rise, it is vital to understand what it is and how it works. This article will thoroughly answer all the questions regarding this effective medication. Modafinil is a CNS stimulant type of medicine that is mainly prescribed to people who suffer from narcolepsy.
Narcolepsy causes you to feel sleepy and tired during the day and may also cause you to fall asleep without any warnings. Therefore, the reason Modafinil is prescribed for this condition is to help increase wakefulness and alertness during the day since Modafinil is a CNS stimulant type of medicine.
It works by stimulating the activity within the spinal cord and central nervous system of the brain. However, it’s not yet fully understood on the way Modafinil helps to improve wakefulness in people suffering from narcolepsy.
Modafinil is quite different compared to other similar stimulants, and this difference helps in the reduction of dependence and potential abuse of Modafinil, although when the drug is used long-term, it may cause various complications in your body. Thus, when taking it, we should ask how long does Modafinil last?
Taking Modafinil: How Long Does Modafinil Last
When it comes to taking Modafinil, it is mostly recommended that you consult a physician first before embarking on this process. This is mainly because the Modafinil dosage varies from one person to the other.
Some people may be instructed by their doctor to take medicine once a day, while there are others who may be instructed to take twice a day. Modafinil tablets are supposed to be swallowed whole with water and can be taken with or without food.
You should also not overdose or take an underdose. If you forget to take a dose of the medication, you are not supposed to take a double dose. Instead, you’re supposed to leave it and continue with your usual dosage.
The Essentials: How Does Modafinil Work
It is crucial first to consult your doctor if you have sleeping problems because Modafinil is not a replacement for a good sleeping routine. This is key in ensuring that one does not get to abuse this important medication, but rather only take it when it is very necessary and for the right reasons.
The abuse of Modafinil could be devastating and could lead to dependence on the medication. Modafinil may cause various side effects, which we will get to discuss here later on. Though these side effects could look nasty, it is a very important medication to someone who has sleepiness issues.
It is beneficial to someone who needs to keep awake as they go about their job shift, thereby ensuring that they safeguard their career for their loved ones. You need to regularly monitor your heart rate and blood pressure while taking Modafinil.
This is a great way to be precautious and consult a medical practitioner in time in case something is not normal. Some people may get such effects after using Modafinil, and as such, they should get the right medical advice and attention.
If you are pregnant, it is not recommended for you to take Modafinil. Just like many other medications out there that are not friendly with pregnancies, Modafinil is not an exception, and pregnant mothers should avoid it mainly because there could be harmful effects to the baby.
The use of Modafinil may also cause mental problems such as suicidal thoughts. Therefore, attention should be given to anyone using Modafinil as their medication, whereas any arising psychiatric symptoms should be reported to a doctor, and the necessary measures are taken.
If you happen to get a rash while using Modafinil, it is advised that you stop first and consult your doctor regarding the issue. This is because the rash could be a reaction to the use of the medication, which should be assessed by the physician and appropriate measures taken.
Buying Modafinil
Although it is always recommended that you first consult your doctor before taking medicine, there are various ways in which you can easily buy Modafinil.
These ways include purchasing modafinil online, buying at a pharmacy store, or requesting for someone who works in a health institution to deliver it to you.
Countries such as Canada, Australia, UK, and the US state that buying Modafinil online is illegal since they’ve classified it as a prescription drug. However, it is rare for authorities to pursue anyone who buys the drug online.
The Potential Side Effects of Modafinil
Although Modafinil comes with its great benefits for people that suffer from sleep problems, it also comes with its own side effects, which we are going to state here in order for you to learn about them.
Here are the potential side effects of Modafinil:
- Nausea;
- Headache;
- Dizziness;
- Difficulty in sleeping;
- Nervousness;
- Depression;
- Suicidal thoughts (although they are rare);
- Confusion;
- Chest pain;
- Agitation;
- Allergic reaction;
- Itching;
- Trouble breathing;
- Swollen lymph nodes;
- Itching of the nose, face, throat, or tongue;
- Fever.
There are also other more side effects that Modafinil can cause; therefore, it is advised that you consult your doctor if you happen to experience any other side effects.
Caution
Here are some very cautious things to note when it comes to using Modafinil due to the way it works. People who need a lower dosage of Modafinil and also extra monitoring include:
- People that suffer from high blood pressure;
- Elderly people;
- People that have liver or kidney problems;
- People that have a history of alcohol, drug, or substance abuse;
- People that have a history of psychiatric conditions like mania, insomnia, depression, agitation.
Children, as well as adolescents who are below the age of 18 years, are not supposed to take Modafinil.
Final Thoughts
Modafinil is an effective medicine and greatly helps to solve sleeping problems; however, it needs to be used in the right way and should not be used for a long-term period.
Therefore, always use caution and seek medical advice before deciding to use the drug. The abuse of Modafinil includes people who use the medication when they do not suffer from sleepiness, whereas this could cause them great harm in the long run.
Overdosing the medication could also come with its own harmful reactions. But, Modafinil is a very useful medicine that has helped a lot of people keep their jobs, and others lead comfortable lives.
