Provigil Side Effects

Provigil Overview

Provigil, a next generation stimulant prescribed for the treatment of narcolepsy.

Cephalon Inc. manufactures Provigil. It is a generic name of Modafinil and belongs to a new group of drugs known as eugeroics. These stimulants increase the alertness and do not have the tolerance, addiction or abuse like that of traditional stimulants. They do not cause rebound hyper somnolence and they have a minimum effect on the sleep structures.

Provigil, also described as “wakefulness promoting agent.” This drug is prescribed  for off the label ADHD/ADD. In advertisements and on websites Cephalon promotes the drug for decreasing “excessive daytime sleepiness” and for improving the alertness. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommend that Provigil should be prescribed to the patients diagnosed with excessive sleepiness, Shift-Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD) or Obstructive Sleep Apnea-Hypopnea Syndrome (OSAHS). In the past few years, there have been incidences where the students or individuals trying to recover from narcotic conditions are using Provigil.

Currently, a mass action lawsuit was filed against Provigil claiming Cephalon illegitimately planned to keep away the generic versions of Provigil off the market. The case is pending in the district court of Pennsylvania, United States.

Provigil is a prescription drug used for the treatment of sleep apnea, narcolepsy or sleep disorders. A patient suffering from this condition fails to stay awake. It is marketed as “wakefulness promoting agent” because its purpose is to keep the patient awake. Generically it is known as Modafinil and Cephalon, a pharmaceutical company manufactures it.

Provigil Users

Provigil can be prescribed to any adult who fails to stay awake. However, this medication should not be given to children at any cost. Provigil belongs to the category of central nervous system (CNS) drug. Patients who are hypersensitive to the medicines in this category are recommended to inform their healthcare professionals about their previous medical history and side effects associated with the drug. Patients who have the history of depression should avoid the use of this drug.

Provigil Side Effects

There is wide range of side effects linked with Provigil. Most of the patients using Provigil are exposed to only mild to moderate side effects. Following are some side effects of Provigil:

• Chest pain or abnormal heart beats
• Red skin rash, peeling and blistering
• Easy bleeding or bruising
• Depressive thoughts and depression
• Sore throat, fever and nausea

There is high possibility that the use of Provigil may lead to life threatening skin disease, Stevens – Johnson syndrome. This fatal skin disease is also known as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis and generally, it is a result of reaction to medications. Individuals who suffer from this fatal disease experiences anxiety and severe pain. Although Stevens – Johnson syndrome can affect the individuals of any age but it is commonly found in older women and men.

Symptoms of Stevens – Johnson syndrome

Patients using Provigil and experiencing any of the following symptoms should seek the advice of a doctor:

• Fragile skin or peeling of the body
• Headaches, feverishness or cough
• Falling of nails and hair
• Red rash on the upper body or the face can turn into blisters

Blisters and rashes leave the skin appears like burned and it can be affected easily, thus becoming the major cause of death among the patients taking Provigil.

According to the MedWatch, Cephalon, manufacturers of Provigil updated the warning labels on Provigil to highlight the side effects of Provigil such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The new label also stated that the patients experiencing any of the above listed side effects should immediately discontinue with the drug and consult a doctor.