Few people get enough sleep, and a new generation of workaholics are reaching for cognitive enhancement drugs. Modafinil (Provigil) was approved by the FDA to treat narcolepsy in 1998 and has since been used off-label as a performance enhancer.

Among other things, modafinil has been shown to improve decision-making and planning in clinical studies. But it doesn’t appear to help with flexible thinking or combining information, and it hasn’t been proven to affect creativity.

Morning

Modafinil Australia (Provigil) starts to work about 30 to 60 minutes after you take a dose, and its effects may last for up to 11 hours. It may be taken with or without food. Taking it with food may delay the time it takes for the medication to reach your bloodstream and start to work.

The doctor will tell you how to take this medicine. You should not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. This medicine may make you dizzy or sleepy. Do not drive or do other dangerous activities until you know how it affects you. This medicine can cause severe skin reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome or Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis that can lead to death. Get emergency help right away if you have these symptoms.

If you have obstructive sleep apnea, it is important to continue to follow good sleep habits and use your CPAP machine as prescribed by your doctor. This medicine does not cure obstructive sleep apnea.

Afternoon

Modafinil (Provigil) was developed in the 1970s to treat narcolepsy and excessive daytime sleepiness caused by conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea or shift work sleep disorder. It can also improve spatial planning, pattern recognition, and working memory – in short, it boosts your brainpower.

It has become the drug of choice for students hoping to burn the midnight oil before exams and time-strapped professionals hoping to get ahead at work. But its seductive reputation is raising questions about long-term cognitive side effects and its ethical implications.

While smart drugs aren’t for everyone, they can be a powerful tool in certain circumstances. For those who need to perform optimally even when exhausted, they can make the difference between success and failure. The key, says Wingelaar-Jagt, is to choose the right dose. She explains that for some people, modafinil works much better than traditional stimulants such as methylphenidate or amphetamine, which can cause high blood pressure and heart problems, and are not recommended for regular use.

Night

When used to treat sleepiness caused by narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, or obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS), Modalert 200 mg promotes wakefulness. It does not cure the underlying condition and should not be taken in place of getting enough sleep. Talk with your doctor for advice about good sleep habits. Continue to use any breathing devices or other treatment for obstructive sleep apnea that has been prescribed by your doctor.

But modafinil may not be as effective for boosting cognition as once thought. In fact, one study published in PLOS ONE found that rather than speeding up volunteers, it seemed to slow them down. This is a blow to those who think it’s the crown prince of smart drugs – and perhaps particularly worrying for stressed students tempted by the prospect of a quick fix for exam preparation. It raises questions about the ethical debate over whether or not people should be taking such drugs to boost their performance.

Before Bed

The effectiveness of this medicine may be decreased if taken close to bedtime. If your doctor prescribes modafinil, make sure you take it at a time that allows you to get enough sleep. Modafinil decreases sleepiness, but it will not cure your narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Keep taking this medicine and follow your doctor’s advice about good sleep habits.

Modafinil can affect your thinking and coordination. Avoid driving or using machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. This medicine can also make birth control pills less effective. Talk to your doctor about other forms of birth control.

Although modafinil has fewer side effects than some other wake-promoting medicines, it can cause headache, nausea, and insomnia. It can also cause a serious allergic reaction called DRESS (Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms). If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor right away. Do not take more than your doctor prescribed dose.