Provigil

What is Provigil?

Provigil is a prescription drug used to help promote wakefulness in those that are dealing with disorders like narcolepsy, sleep apnea, or shift work disorder. If you are suffering from these issues, you may be having a hard time staying awake during the day, but Provigil can help. Patients that suffer from sleep apnea usually take Provigil as part of a combination therapy. These patients and those with narcolepsy are instructed to take Provigil in the morning to prevent excessive sleepiness and help them be more alert throughout the day. People dealing with shift work disorder should take this medication before their shift starts each day. Whatever your issue, you need to take Provigil at the same time everyday to make it be most effective.

Provigil uses the main ingredient modafinil to fight sleepiness. Modafinil is known as a wakefulness promoting medication and it works on the parts of our brain that control sleep/wake cycles to increase alertness. It’s not completely clear how modafinil works but it has some affect on levels of dopamine in the brain, and it also helps the prefrontal cortex of the brain process information more quickly.

Provigil has been proven to work very well to help people feel more awake and alert. It is not, nor has it ever been, a drug to help someone dealing with insomnia or sleeplessness. If you have insomnia, taking Provigil would only make things worse for you.  This drug is not going to help you sleep at all, but only keep you awake longer.

Can You Buy Provigil in Stores?

No. Provigil is only available with a prescription.

Provigil Pros

• Can help you avoid feelings of sleepiness or grogginess.
• Not shown to cause any withdrawal symptoms, although sleepiness will probably return in someone with narcolepsy.

Provigil Cons

• Not a good or smart option for someone dealing with insomnia
• Will increase wakefulness, not promote sleep.
• Available only with a prescription from your doctor
• May cause any of the following side effects, including: headaches, dizziness, trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, loss of appetite, bad taste in the mouth, excessive thirst, nose bleeds, confusion, irritability, eye pain, trouble seeing, back pain, rash, blisters, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, hallucinations, depression, and suicidal tendencies.
• May be addictive and habit-forming.
• Can cause SJS in some people

Conclusion

If you are dealing with excess sleepiness due to narcolepsy, sleep apnea, or shift work disorder, Provigil has been proven to be a very effective drug for you. This medication will help you feel more awake and alert during the day, or while working you shift, so that you can feel better and get more done. Provigil never has been and never will be something that would help an insomnia sufferer. The active ingredient modafinil doesn’t promote sleepiness, it prevents it. If you are suffering from insomnia, Provigil is the last thing that you would want to take. It’s only going to make things worse for you.