The generic Provigil is modafinil and it is a medication intended for narcoleptics and people who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea and shift work sleep disorder. There is no cure of the above mentioned sleep disorders but modafinil can treat the excessive daytime sleepiness caused by them. This drug has the ability to stimulate the central nervous system to keep a person fully awake just like the effect of drinking coffee or taking amphetamines but unlike them, modafinil does not affect a person’s sleep cycle. He or she can still sleep if he/she wants too.

Provigil is a known brand of the generic modafinil, which has been manufactured by Cephalon and is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 1998 for the treatment of narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, and the excessive daytime sleepiness related to obstructive sleep apnea. In some countries, generic Provigil has also been approved for people having idiopathic hypersomnia (all types of daytime excessive sleepiness with unknown causes).

Once a certain medication is approved by the Food and Drug Administration, some doctors would prescribe it “off-label” to patients he thinks is fit for the drug or to suppress the need for sleep. Generic Provigil has also been used as a smart pill for students to stay awake for longer periods of studying and have a better attention capacity. This drug is also widely-used as off-label to fight against fatigue unrelated to sleep deprivation such as treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD and as adjunct to antidepressants.

Research also show that modafinil, generic of Provigil, has also been expirementally applied for treating several conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, myotonic dystrophy, depression, fatigue induced by multiple sclerosis, apathy in elderly, spasticity associated with cerebral palsy, and many more.

Modafinil is a tablet taken per orem usually once a day. Initially, a single dose of 200 mg is prescribed and can be increased up to 400 mg a day if needed. A person may need to divide his/her total dose of modafinil into smaller doses for optimum effectiveness throughout the day. For people who are beyond 65 years old, only 100 mg is recommended for them to take daily.

You can take Provigil with or without something to eat. If you take this drug because of narcolepsy, you have to take it in the morning. If it is because you have shift work sleep disorder, you need to take it 1 hour before you start your work. Drink Provigil at the same time daily. Tell your physician if your job does not start at the same time everyday. It is a must that you follow the directions on the prescription given to you carefully and do not hesitate to seek help if there might be things you can not understand. It is important that you have knowledge and understanding about the entire drug before taking it.

You must remember that even if generic Provigil decrease your sleepiness, it does not cure your sleep disorder. You still have to continue taking the drug even if you feel well-rested. Never stop taking modafinil without telling your doctor. This drug is not used in place of getting enough sleep.