Generic Provigil Drug Review

Modern medicine is incredible but branded patented medications can be as expensive as they are effective. In such cases, generic drugs come to the rescue.

Provigil is a non-amphetamine CNS stimulant that induces a state of wakefulness and alertness. In the US, it is marketed by a company named Cephalon. Provigil costs from $800 to $2,000 depending on the dosage and other factors. If you want to buy a much more affordable generic Provigil, this article provides basic knowledge and additional useful information regarding the drug.

What is Generic Provigil

A generic of the brand is a drug that contains the same active ingredient but is made by another company and another name. In a nutshell, generics cost much less because their manufacturers do not have to invest in drug development and trials.

There are a lot of generic names for Provigil: Alertex, Intensit, Modasomil, Resotyl, Vigimax, Zalux, etc. A number one to remember is modafinil which how its active substance is called. Therefore, any drug that contains modafinil as an active ingredient, is a Provigil generic.

Drug Name:	Provigil (Modafinil)
Tablet Strength:	200 mg, 100 mg
Best Price:	$0.82 Per Pill
Payment:	Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, BTC
Where to Buy Provigil?	Visit Canadian Pharmacy

Provigil Uses

Provigil is indicated in cases when the patient needs to stay awake but, for some reason, struggles with it. There are three FDA-approved indications for Provigil administration.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a disorder that affects our nervous functions. It manifests with sudden and intense sleepiness that may occur at any moment but is particularly troublesome in the daytime. Patients who have narcolepsy cannot control when they fall asleep which is dangerous, especially if it happens while the person operates a vehicle or other heavy machinery. Provigil or a generic version of Provigil can be prescribed to help the patient stay awake and retain a full-fledged lifestyle.

Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is an occurrence when something disrupts proper airflow in the upper airways when the person is sleeping. The muscle in the patient’s chest is forced to intensify the operation so that the air gets into the lungs. The breath becomes shallow and short; the oxygen supply becomes insufficient. Sleep apnea also affects the quality of sleep; the patient cannot fully rest which results in fatigued states and daytime sleepiness.

Provigil and its generics do not solve the issue of sleep apnea itself: they are indicated as a part of treatment, along with the use of a CPAP. In this case, modafinil is used to battle the daytime effects of the disorder.

Sleep disorder

Sleep disorder is a wide term covering issues with the quality of sleep. According to the Sleep Foundation, more than 100 sleep disorders are identified and described today.

The one particular condition that modafinil is indicated for, is called Sleep Work Shift Disorder, or SWSD. It develops in people that worked non-traditional hours (night shifts, etc.) for a long time and, thus, had their circadian rhythms disrupted. As a result, they struggle with staying awake when needed and falling asleep when it is time to rest. It is easy to guess that, with SWSD, modafinil is prescribed to help with the former.

Off-label Uses

Off-label use is when the medication is not FDA-approved for a specific purpose but there were studies and trials showing that it may be beneficial for a patient.

ADHD

Modafinil demonstrated some level of efficacy for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder management in children but not in adults.

Depression

The substance was researched as potentially helpful in the treatment of acute unipolar and bipolar depressive episodes.

Weight loss

There was a 23-day study with 11 volunteers who were receiving 200 to 400 mg of modafinil (and a placebo group that received a zero dosage). The participants demonstrated a decrease in their calorie intake which correlated with the dosage (15% and 38% respectively). The patients reported that they felt less hungry and reduced their food intake. Further study is needed but these results can indicate the possible beneficial effect of modafinil in obesity treatment.

Fatigue associated with particular chronic health issues

Although the studies on the matter provide inconclusive results, modafinil is considered an acceptable treatment option to reduce symptoms related to some chronic conditions, such as multiple sclerosis or cancer. Therefore, a doctor may prescribe generic provigil for MS fatigue or cancer-related fatigue.

How Provigil Works in the Body

Modafinil’s wakefulness-promoting effect resembles that of sympathomimetic agents, such as amphetamine or methylphenidate. The pharmacology behind the process is yet unclear, however. While studied in vitro, the substance inhibited dopamine reuptake. In vivo, modafinil increased extracellular dopamine levels in certain sections of the animal brain.

In research using genetically altered mice lacking the dopamine transporter (DAT), modafinil’s ability to promote wakefulness was found to be much less effective. This shows a connection between DAT and this pharmaceutical action. However, haloperidol, a dopamine receptor antagonist, could not counteract modafinil’s ability to promote wakefulness in rats, in contrast to amphetamine. Another comparison included alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine, a substance that prevents the production of dopamine. It reduced the effects of amphetamine on locomotor activity but did not affect the efficacy of modafinil.

Besides that, modafinil has euphoric and psychoactive effects. It alters mood, thinking, perception, and feeling similar to other human CNS stimulants.

Potential Side Effects

Because they contain the same active ingredient, the side effects of a Provigil generic would be similar to the original drug. The only difference is if the patient develops an allergic reaction to a non-active component found in the generic but not in Provigil.

The most common adverse reactions to modafinil, reported by 5% to 10% of patients, are the following:

• CNS health issues: headache, dizziness, insomnia, anxiety, etc.;
• GI disorders: low appetite, nausea, diarrhea;
• Rhinitis.

Serious side effects of the drug include:

• severe allergic reactions (rash, swelling, trouble breathing);
• cardiovascular disorders: elevated blood pressure, chest pain, palpitations (racing heartbeat);
• psychological alterations: hallucinations, suicidal ideas, anger, psychosis, etc.

The substance lacks proper testing in pregnant women but demonstrated negative effects in animal studies. Therefore, it is labeled under the C category. This means the risk for a pregnant mother and the fetus cannot be ruled out.

Provigil Dosage

The caliber daily dose of modafinil is 200 mg taken by mouth. Depending on the efficiency of the drug, the doctor may adjust the dose.

How to Take Generic Provigil

For the treatment of SWSD, the patient should take modafinil around an hour before the start of their work shift; for the treatment of narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea, it is advised to take the medicine in the morning. The food intake does not affect the bioavailability of the medication but its peak concentration may be reached later if the tablet was taken with food.

Generic Provigil Interactions

As an active chemical, modafinil can interact with other substances. We remind you to always mention everything you are currently taking when getting a prescription for Provigil or its generic drug.

Medications and herbs

These drugs decrease modafinil levels in your system, thus affecting its efficiency. Note how herbal remedies are also represented in the list which means natural supplements also may interact with Provigil.

• efavirenz
• phenytoin
• rifampin
• St. John’s Wort

These substances have the opposite effect (they can boost Provigil and increase the risk of side effects):

• azole antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole)
• clarithromycin
• ritonavir

Also, there are substances, that can become less effective when administered with Provigil, such as сyclosporine, nimodipine, ranolazine, etc.

Alcohol and other psychoactive substances

Alcohol, caffeine, marijuana, and other psychoactive substances can change the effects of Provigil (or its generic). The reverse is also possible: modafinil can increase or decrease the intensity of the substance effect, making you sleepy (alcohol), anxious and jittery (caffeine), more or less high (marijuana), etc. It is recommended to avoid the use of such products when taking Provigil or other modafinil drugs. If you have any questions about possible interactions, consult your doctor.

Provigil Availability and Alternatives

As modafinil is a Schedule IV controlled substance, you cannot legally obtain a Provigil generic over the counter. The medication is prescription-only. The cost of generic provigil varies depending on the pharmacy and the manufacturer and can start from $30.

Due to the price regulations that are in force in Canada, the popular practice in the USA is to order medication from a Canadian pharmacy. However, we remind you that, importing controlled substances may be considered illegal—check your local law guidelines on the matter before making an order.

If Provigil and its generics were not a sufficient solution for you, consult your doctor about finding another option. Alternatives for Provigil include:

• amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine, their salts (Adderal), etc;
• armodafinil (brand name Nuvigil), an R-enantiomer of modafinil;
• methylphenidate (Ritalin);
• sodium oxybate (Xyrem).

Summary

Generic Provigil, such as Modvigil, Resotyl, and other drugs, contains the same active substance as Provigil—modafinil. Therefore, they can be considered equally effective and have the same indications. Generic Provigil costs much less than a branded original due to no expenses during development.

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