Provigil by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Benefits and side effects of Provigil medication

Provigil is a prescription medication to treat narcolepsy. Provigil is made by the pharmaceutical company Cephalon Inc.

Provigil is a psychostimulant. Provigil improves wakefulness and vigilance, but its pharmacological profile is different from the amphetamines, methylphenidate (Ritalin) or cocaine. Provigil is less likely to cause jitteriness or anxiety than traditional stimulants. Subjectively, it feels smoother and cleaner than the amphetamines.

Provigil and sleep deprivation
The non-amphetamine, wake-promoting drug, Provigil counters the adverse effects of sleep deprivation on working memory. In a randomized, double-blind study, Dr. Robert Joseph Thomas, of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, and Dr. Kenneth K. Kwong of Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown examined the effect of Provigil on working memory and brain activation in the executive network following overnight sleep deprivation. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess the functional neurobiology of executive function in eight sleep-deprived medication-free men (ages 21 to 35 years) treated with 200 mg of Provigil or placebo. They underwent a verbal working-memory task with 3 levels of difficulty. Subjects in the sleep-deprived condition, had approximately 28 hours of continuous wakefulness, and in the rested condition, had 8 hours of scheduled sleep opportunity. The team assessed brain activation patterns and regional signal intensity based on the blood-oxygen level-dependent signal. Provigil countered the ill effects of sleep deprivation on working memory, but only when the task difficulty was moderate.
   Dr. Sahelian says: There are a number of natural supplements that could be helpful in sleep deprivation and as a good natural alternative to Provigil. These include Mind Power Rx mind booster, Eyesight Rx, acetylcarnitine, DMAE, and other nutritional supplements.

Provigil and depression - Provigil for mood elevation
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Crossover Trial of Provigil on Mood.
J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2007 Feb;27(1):76-78. Taneja I, Haman K, Shelton RC, Robertson D. Departments of *Pharmacology, daggerPsychiatry, double daggerMedicine and section signNeurology, Autonomic Dysfunction Center, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN.
Provigil, a medication for the excessive sleepiness associated with narcolepsy, has been hypothesized to improve not just alertness but mood as well. The purpose of this study was to determine how treatment with Provigil affects mood in healthy volunteers. Normal healthy volunteers (n = 12, 10 men and 2 women; 30-44 years) underwent a 3-day, counterbalanced, randomized, crossover, inpatient trial of Provigil (400 mg daily) versus placebo with 4-day washout period between 2 treatments. Mood was assessed daily using both the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and a general mood scale, which consisted of 10 bipolar adjective ratings based on a severity scale ranging from 1 to 10. Provigil increased general mood and Negative Affect scales relative to placebo and had a significant effect on Positive Affect scales. These results suggest that Provigil may have general mood-elevating effects accompanied by increased negative affect (anxiety).
   Dr Sahelian says: it is possible that a medication (such as an amphetamine) may help depression or improve mood in the short term, but then later cause a crash with severe depression or other side effects.

Provigil side effects
The most common Provigil side effects are headache, nausea, nervousness, and rhinitis. Additional Provigil side effects include diarrhea, back pain, anxiety, insomnia, dizziness, and dyspepsia. Additional Provigil side effects may be discovered as more people use this drug for prolonged periods. Could heart problems occur?

Provigil questions
I am taking Provigil. I have narcolepsy and am searching everyday for something that keeps me awake. My mind is awake all the time with modafinil, but does tyrosine make you have more energy as a whole or just wired.
   A. Tyrosine usually makes one more wired. Many people tell us Eyesight Rx and or Mind Power Rx help the mind stay alert and focused and provide good energy. Perhaps they can be a substitute for Provigil in some people.