Modalert 200mg US To US

What is Modalert 200 mg?

Modalert 200 mg is a central nervous system stimulant used to promotes wakefulness. It prevents daytime sleepiness and helps restore the sleep cycle. Hence, it is used in the treatment of various sleeping disorders.

The active ingredient of Modalert 200 mg is the drug modafinil. The chemical formula of modafinil is C15H15NO2S. It is a white to off-white crystalline powder that is insoluble in water. It is classified as a non-amphetamine drug. Amphetamines are similar brain-stimulating drugs. However, they have a high potential for abuse and can cause addiction.

In 1998, the USA (United States of America) FDA approved modafinil for the treatment of narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder.

What are The Uses of Modalert 200 mg Tablets?

Modalert 200mg in USA is used to keep patient awake if suffering from narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea or shift work sleep disorder which causes excessive sleepiness. It works to promote wakefulness by inhibiting the uptake of dopamine back into the neurons, causing dopamine levels in the brain to increase. Modalert 200mg in the USA is a prescription only medicine used for the treatment of narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea or shift work sleep disorder that causes excessive sleepiness. It is prescribed for the treatment given below:

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness. A patient suffering from this disorder cannot stay awake for long durations. This results in a loss of productivity. Other symptoms of narcolepsy include hallucinations, changes in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, sleep paralysis, and cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle). The exact cause of narcolepsy is not known. However, there are low levels of the neurotransmitter hypocretin in the brains of narcoleptic patients. This neurotransmitter is responsible for keeping a person alert and awake.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

A person suffering from OSA suddenly stops and resumes breathing during their sleep. They might wake up due to choking. This occurs as the muscles supporting the soft tissue in the throat relax and block the airways. Other symptoms of OSA are loud snoring, gasping for air, dry mouth after waking up, irritability, daytime sleepiness, etc. 

Shift work sleep disorder

This disorder affects the circadian rhythm, i.e., the biological clock of the body. Generally, people working non-traditional shift hours, like night shifts, suffer from this disease. As a result of their unusual sleeping schedule, these people experience a loss of productivity during shift hours and insomnia during sleeping hours. Other symptoms of shift work sleep disorder are headaches, irritability, difficulty in concentrating, lethargy, etc.

Modalert 200mg is used to treat the symptoms of the disorders given above. However, the drug alone cannot treat the underlying cause of the disease. 

Modalert 200mg is also an off-label medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), postanesthetic sedation, withdrawal, and drug abuse symptoms.

What are The Dosage Guidelines for Modalert 200 mg Tablets?

• Patients must only consume Modalert 200 mg under a doctor’s prescription.
• This medication is not approved for children with any medical conditions.

The dosage guidelines of this medication are as follows:

For Narcolepsy and Obstructive sleep apnea

The recommended dosage is one tablet, i.e., 200 mg of modafinil every morning. The human body can tolerate up to 2 tablets, that is, 400 mg of modafinil, in a single day. However, there is no evidence that a higher dosage results in a higher efficiency of medicine.

For sleep-work shift disorder

The recommended dosage is a single tablet, i.e., 200 mg of modafinil 1 hour before the shift starts.

How to Take Modalert 200mg Tablets?

• Modalert 200mg is an orally administered tablet. 
• A single tablet must be swallowed whole with water without breaking, chewing, or crushing.
• Keep a set time for taking the tablet.
• Do not take the drug before sleeping.

Missed Dosage Guidelines:

• If a patient misses a dose, they must take the missed dose as soon as they remember.
• Avoid taking the missed dose close to sleeping times.
• Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
• Contact the doctor if the dosage has been missed for a long time.

Overdosage Guidelines:

Given below are the symptoms of a Modalert 200 mg overdose.

• Aggressive behavior
• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Chest pain
• Confusion
• Excitation 
• Hallucinations
• Hypertension
• Increases or decreased heartbeat
• Irritability
• Tremors

Patients must immediately contact their doctor or emergency services if they observe any of these symptoms: There is no absolute antidote for Modalert 200mg overdose. It can only be treated with supportive care and cardiovascular monitoring. 

How does The Modalert 200 mg Tablet Work?

The exact mechanism of Modalert 200 mg is not known. Modalert 200mg increases the levels of dopamine in the brain.

The active ingredient of Modalert 200 mg is modafinil. In vitro studies about the effects of modafinil on the brain gave the following results:
Modafinil competitively binds to the dopamine transporter (DAT). It interacts with DAT weakly. This inhibits the uptake of dopamine back into the neurons, causing dopamine levels in the brain to increase. Also, modafinil does not directly or indirectly affect the dopamine receptor present on the neurons. This contributes to the clinical significance of the drug.

Modalert 200mg increases dopamine levels in the brain, which promotes wakefulness. It prevents drowsiness, lethargy, and daytime sleepiness and makes the person alert and awake. 

What are The Side Effects of Modalert 200 mg Tablets?

Given below are some severe side effects that patients might experience after consuming Modalert 200 mg:

Skin reactions

These are of special importance while checking for side effects. In some cases, severe consequences, including Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), and Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS), occurred. These reactions are life-threatening and have resulted in hospitalizations. These complications start with skin rashes, discoloration, purple skin, or other skin lesions. Hence, patients must immediately inform the doctor at the first sign of any skin abnormality.

Allergic reactions

There is a possibility that the patient might be allergic to Modafinil or any inactive ingredient of this medication. Modalet 200mg must not be prescribed to patients who have previously experienced allergic reactions to armodafinil. Common symptoms of allergy are hives, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, difficulty in breathing, etc. 

Cardiovascular effects

Some of the cardiac side effects that patients can experience are chest pain, palpitations, dyspnea, increased heart rate, etc. These side effects are especially concerning for patients with cardiac disorders.

Patients must immediately contact their doctors if they experience any of the above side effects. 

Some of the common side effects after consuming this medicine are given below:

• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Indigestion
• Insomnia
• Nausea

Precautions & Warnings:

Doctors must take special precautions before prescribing Modalert 200 mg to patients suffering from the following diseases:

Cardiovascular complications

Modalert 200 mg must not be given to any patient suffering from or with a history of left ventricular hypertrophy or mitral valve prolapse. Side effects such as chest pain, palpitations, dyspnea, and arrhythmia are common due to the effects of CNS stimulants in cardiac patients. Increased blood pressure and heartbeat are observed as side effects for this medicine. Hence, doctors must be careful while administering this tablet to hypertension patients. They must also continuously monitor the blood pressure and heart parameters of patients taking this medication.

Complications causing seizures

Modalert 200 mg is a drug that stimulates the central nervous system. Such medications can result in seizures. Patients with abnormalities in the ECG or a prior history of seizures are at a higher risk. 

Hepatic (liver) and renal (kidney) disorders

Modalert 200 mg, like other CNS stimulants, is metabolized in the liver. It might not be easily metabolized in patients with impaired liver function. Hence, the effect of this medication might be higher in such patients. The rate of elimination of Modalert 200 mg might be reduced in patients with decreased kidney function. Hence, doctors must accordingly decide the dosage for patients with hepatic and renal complications.

Psychiatric disorders

Modalert 200 mg can result in psychiatric side effects such as anxiety, depression, nervousness, confusion, etc. In patients suffering from bipolar disorder, the drug may trigger episodes of mania. Doctors must take special precautions for patients suffering from or with a history of mania, psychosis, depression, suicidal behavior, or bipolar disorder. As a CNS stimulant, This medicine may interact with psychiatric drugs the patient might be taking.

General precautions for patients:

• Do not take this medication without a doctor’s prescription.
• Always take this medication if you are prescribed with this medication.
• Do not discontinue the medication or alter the dosage without consulting the doctor.
• Inform the doctor about any ongoing medications, allergies, or health history.
• This medicine reduces the efficiency of hormonal contraceptives. Hence, women must switch to physical methods of contraception.
• Maintain a set time for taking the medication.
• Do not consume alcohol, grapefruit, or caffeine with this medicine.
• Do not share this medication with other people, especially those with a history of alcohol/drug abuse.

Interactions:

Modalert 200 mg MUST NOT be consumed with any of the following substances:

• Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors
• amphetamine, dextroamphetamine
• methylphenidate or dexmethylphenidate
• pemoline
• procarbazine

Other drug interactions with this medicine may reduce the efficiency of some of the following drugs:

• steroid contraceptives
• cyclosporines
• midazolam
• triazolam 

A Modalert 200mg interaction may increase exposure of the following medications:

• phenytoin
• diazepam
• propranolol
• omeprazole
• clomipramine

Food interactions:

• Alcohol: This medicine is a wakefulness-promoting drug. In contrast, alcohol results in drowsiness. This effect of alcohol can contradict the effect of Modalert 200 mg. 
• Caffeine: both Modalert 200mg and caffeine activate the sympathetic nervous system. Hence, if the patient consumes both substances simultaneously, they may experience nervousness, irritability, and increased heart rate and blood pressure.
• Grapefruit: Interaction with grapefruit may increase the effect of this medication. This can cause increased side effects.

This medication can interact with a huge list of drugs and foods not mentioned above. Hence, patients must inform their doctors about any drugs, vitamins, or substances being consumed, along with their dietary information.

FAQs:

Q. What is Modalert 200 mg?

Modalert 200 mg is a brain-stimulating drug. It promotes wakefulness and alertness. It has 200 mg of its active ingredient, modafinil.

Q. How to take Modalert 200 mg?

Take a single tablet at a time. Swallow it whole with water without crushing or chewing it.

Q. What are the side effects of Modalert 200 mg?

Common side effects are headaches, insomnia, dizziness, and nausea. However, side effects differ from person to person. Hence, patients must inform their doctor if they experience any abnormal conditions.

Q. Can Modalert 200mg cause addiction?

Modalert 200 mg is classified as a Schedule IV drug. This means that it has a low potential for abuse. However, patients must only take this drug as per the doctor’s instructions.

Q. Can pregnant/lactating women take Modalert 200 mg?

There is no scientific evidence for the effect of Modalert 200 mg on the fetus or breast milk. Hence, doctors must be careful while prescribing this drug to pregnant/lactating women.