Reinstitution of modafinil resulted in a 10-lb. weight loss over a 6-week period. Conclusions: Modafinil treatment resulted in a significant weight loss in this patient, possibly due to reducing clozapine-associated fatigue.
Provigil can cause decreased appetite. Because of this side effect, some people may lose weight while taking Provigil. However, Provigil is not approved to be used for weight loss. And weight loss was rare in clinical trials.
Those on armodafinil lost 2.4 kg more fat than those on placebo (95% CI, 0.9–4.0; P = 0.002) (Figure 3). A total of 47% of armodafinil patients lost greater than or equal to 5% weight and 24% lost greater than or equal to 10% weight at 6 months compared with 21% and 9% of patients on placebo, respectively.
Provigil or modafinil begins to work within 30 to 60 minutes after it's taken and may take slightly longer to kick in if taken on a full stomach. Modafinil affects various areas of the brain to make the user feel more awake and energized, including regions like the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala.
The elimination half-life of modafinil is 9 to 14 hours, permitting once-daily administration for most patients. Modafinil is usually administered once daily in the morning (200–400 mg).
The effect of modafinil on the heart is yet to be concluded however it is recommended to avoid or limit the use of modafinil in patients with a history of high blood pressure, high heart rate, heart attack, and other possible cardiovascular complications.
Long-term side effects
Taking Provigil long-term may increase the risk of developing psychological and physical dependence. However, this side effect seems to be rare, and may be more likely when the drug is used in high doses, or if it's misused or abused.
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about modafinil is that users don't seem to have to pay back any “sleep debt”. Normally, if you stayed awake for 48 hours straight you would have to sleep for about 16 hours to catch up. Modafinil somehow allows you to catch up with only 8 hours or so.
Modafinil may cause some people to feel dizzy, drowsy, have trouble thinking or controlling movements, or trouble seeing clearly. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do other jobs that require you to be alert, well-coordinated, or able to think or see well.
In clinical trials, Modafinil was discovered to be more effective than a placebo in treating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children (aged 6 years and above) and adults. Modafinil has also been shown to improve cognition and executive function in children with ADHD.
A 30-lb weight gain over a 6-month period occurred following discontinuation of modafinil. Reinstitution of modafinil resulted in a 10-lb. weight loss over a 6-week period. Conclusions: Modafinil treatment resulted in a significant weight loss in this patient, possibly due to reducing clozapine-associated fatigue.
Results showed a reduction in the amount of food consumed and decreased energy intake with both drugs. This result suggests that modafinil might be well suited for the treatment of obesity, although further studies with repeated dosing in overweight populations are warranted (Makris et al., 2004).
In a limited number of studies modafinil has been shown to decrease food intake by laboratory animals and humans.
During both shift conditions, modafinil produced dose-related reductions in total caloric intake. On average, across all three days, the 200-mg dose decreased total caloric intake by ~18% and the 400-mg dose decreased total caloric intake by ~38%.
Morning-dosed modafinil promotes nocturnal sleep, normalizes sleep architecture, and decreases daytime sleepiness in abstinent cocaine users. These effects may be relevant in the treatment of cocaine dependence.
Dehydration
Modafinil can bring on dehydration in two ways. First, it can cause you to focus on one specific task, at the detriment of others, so you just forget to drink water. Second, the drug is a diuretic, which means it can dehydrate you by making you urinate more.
Studies have shown modafinil's wake-promoting effects match stimulants such as amphetamine and methylphenidate, although its structure is unique and not comparable to those drugs. But just like stimulants, it affects the mind, causing feelings of alertness, enhanced thinking, and perception.
As noted above, Modafinil has been shown to increase intrinsic motivation in situations where we otherwise might falter from striving towards our goal.
This medicine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid other dangerous activities until you know how modafinil will affect your level of wakefulness. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking modafinil.
Modafinil has a variety of effects on anxiety in humans and anxiety-like behaviour in animal models. Some studies have shown anxiety generating (anxiogenic) effects in humans, while others show anxiety reducing (anxiolytic) effects. In an emotion and cognition test, Rasetti et al.
The normal half-life of modafinil in humans is between 12 to 15 hours [4]. Modafinil consists of R-enantiomer and S-enantiomer as a racemic compound, and the waking effect of R-enantiomer has a longer duration.
Modafinil is well-absorbed with peak plasma concentration reached approximately two to four hours after administration. Food has no effect on overall modafinil bioavailability; however, absorption (tmax) may be delayed by approximately one hour if taken with food.
It has been shown in some studies to enhance memory and attention in healthy individuals. MODAFINIL: Originally used to treat narcolepsy. It can also enhance cognitive function, especially when completing difficult tasks.
There is no evidence that tolerance develops to modafinil or that the drug impairs sleep quality (if taken in the morning). It has a number of advantages including once-daily dosing, low abuse potential, and the fact that it is not a schedule II medication.
At clinically relevant doses, modafinil significantly increases dopamine in the human brain by blocking dopamine transporters.