What is Vilafinil 200mg?
Vilafinil 200mg tablet is used to induce wakefulness in people with excessive sleepiness due to shift work sleep disorder & drowsiness due to narcolepsy & obstructive sleep apnea. It works to exert its effects to keep you awake. It is a generic variation of Modafinil 200 mg. Vilafinil 200 mg (generic Modafinil 200 mg) is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of excessive sleepiness caused by narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea or shift work sleep disorder. It works by altering neurotransmitters in the brain, include dopamine, norepinephrine and histamine.
In 1998, the U.S. FDA approved modafinil for the treatment of narcolepsy. Further, it got approved for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and shift work sleep disorder.
Vilafinil 200mg is a nootropic contains Modafinil as an active ingredient sold under the brand name Provigil 200mg in the United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK), Europe (EU) & Australia (AU). Modafinil stimulates the central nervous system (CNS). It makes the person consuming it more alert and awake. It is a white (sometimes off-white) crystalline powder. It does not dissolve in water. The chemical formula of modafinil is C15H15NO2S.
What are The Uses of Vilafinil 200mg Tablets?
Vilafinil 200mg (Modafinil) tablet is a stimulant help people to reduce excessive sleepiness due to narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea & shift work sleep disorder. It works to promote wakefulness by exerting its effects to keep you awake.
Narcolepsy
A person suffering from narcolepsy experiences excessive daytime sleepiness. They cannot stay awake for long periods of time. It has been observed that the levels of the neurotransmitter hypocretin-1 are low in narcoleptic patients. Other symptoms of narcolepsy are drowsiness, lack of energy, cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle tone), etc. Some of the severe symptoms are sleep paralysis and hallucinations. Vilafinil 200 tablet is used in the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness caused by narcolepsy. It promotes wakefulness to keep you awake by reducing the tendency to fall asleep during the day, which helps in restoring the normal sleep cycle. It works by affecting certain neurotransmitters in the brain.
Obstructive sleep apnea
In this disorder, the person suddenly stops and resumes breathing while asleep. The breathing stops for at least 10 seconds. Other symptoms include loud snoring, morning headaches, dry mouth after waking up, daytime sleepiness, etc. This occurs because the muscles supporting the soft tissue in the throat relax. This blocks the airways.
Shift work sleep disorder
People who work non-traditional shifts, like night shifts, suffer from this disorder. This disorder affects their circadian rhythm, i.e., the biological clock. As a result, patients suffer from excessive sleepiness during their productive hours and insomnia during their sleeping hours. Other symptoms of this disorder are headaches, excessive sleepiness, lethargy, difficulty concentrating, etc.
Apart from these, Vilafinil 200 mg is also used as an off-label medication for the following conditions:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Cancer-related fatigue
- Cocaine dependence
- Multiple sclerosis-related fatigue
- Alzheimer’s disease
Vilafinil 200 mg is a prescription drug, people can take this medication by doctor’s instructions only.
What are The Dosage Guidelines for Vilafinil 200mg Tablets?
- Vilafinil 200mg should only be consumed under a valid medical prescription.
- This drug is not approved for children under the age of 18.
Dosage Guidelines:
Narcolepsy and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA):
The recommended dosage is 200 mg of modafinil every day. So, the doctor would prescribe 1 tablet every morning.
A person can consume a maximum of 400 mg of modafinil, i.e., 2 tablets a day. There is, however, no scientific evidence that a higher dosage leads to higher efficiency.
Sleep work shift disorder:
The recommended dosage is 1 tablet, or 200 mg of modafinil before the shift starts.
How to Take Vilafinil 200mg Tablets?
- Vilafinil 200mg is an orally administered tablet.
- Read the instructions on the packaging carefully.
- Take a single tablet and swallow it whole with water. Do not break, crush, chew, or mix the tablet in water.
- Keep fixed timings to take the tablets.
- Do not take the tablets before sleeping.
- Do not change the dosage or abruptly stop taking the tablets. To stop the medication, the doctor will reduce the dosage gradually.
Missed Dosage Guidelines:
- If the patient misses a dose, they must take it as soon as they remember.
- Do not take the missed dose if it is too close to the time of the next dose.
- Do not, under any circumstances, take a double dose to compensate for the missed dose.
Overdosage Guidelines:
Patients must stick to the dosage guidelines given by the doctor. However, to identify an overdose, look out for the following symptoms:
- Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Agitation
- Increased blood pressure
- Restlessness
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
- Disorientation
- Chest pain
If any of the above symptoms occur, immediately contact the doctor or emergency services. There is no absolute cure for modafinil overdose. Generally, this overdose is treated with supportive care and cardiovascular monitoring.
How does The Vilafinil 200mg Tablet Work?
The active ingredient of Vilafinil 200mg is modafinil. The exact mechanism by which modafinil promotes wakefulness properties is not known. According to studies, modafinil acts on the dopamine transporter (DAT). This prevents the reuptake of dopamine back into the neurons. Thus, the levels of dopamine increase in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is known to control emotions, movement, sleep cycles, etc.
Apart from this, modafinil also indirectly affects the levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, orexin, and hypocretin. Orexin and hypocretin are known to induce wakefulness. Thus, modafinil might be inducing wakefulness through the combined actions of different mechanisms.
What are The Side Effects of Vilafinil 200mg Tablets?
Some side effects can be extremely severe and require emergency treatment. Given below are some of the severe side effects:
Skin reactions
These include rashes, blisters, discolorations, and other skin lesions. Skin lesions that seem harmless might develop into life-threatening conditions requiring hospitalization. These include Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), and Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS).
Cardiovascular complications
These side effects can manifest in the form of chest pain, palpitations, and shortness of breath.
Patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disorders are at a higher risk of experiencing these symptoms.
Allergic reactions
Some people might be allergic to modafinil or other active ingredients present in Vilafinil 200mg. This causes some typical allergic symptoms, including hives, itching, swelling of eyes, face, tongue, and throat, difficulty in breathing, etc.
Psychiatric symptoms
These symptoms include episodes of mania, delusions, hallucinations, depression, and suicidal intentions. Such symptoms are especially observed in patients with a history of psychiatric disorders.
Some common, but less severe, side effects are:
- Anxiety
- Headache
- Indigestion
- Insomnia
- Nausea
Precautions & Warnings:
- Patients should only take 200mg of Valafinil with a valid medical prescription.
- Doctors should be careful while prescribing Vilafinil 200 mg to patients with the following disorders:
- Cardiac problems
- Hypertension
- Seizures
- Liver and kidney impairments
- Psychiatric disorders.
- Inform the doctor about any allergies, health conditions, ongoing medications, etc.
- Inform the doctor about the consumption of any over-the-counter medication.
- Patients should also inform their doctors if they have a history of alcoholism or substance abuse.
- Do not change the dosage or abruptly stop taking the medication.
- Avoid driving heavy vehicles after consuming Vilafinil 200 mg.
- Vilafinil 200 mg reduces the efficiency of hormonal contraceptives. Hence, women consuming it must switch to physical methods of contraception to avoid unwanted pregnancies.
- Do not share this medicine with other people, especially those with a history of alcoholism/substance abuse.
- Inform the doctor about any side effects or overdose problems.
Interactions:
Do not consume Vilafinil 200mg with any of the following substances:
- Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors
- amphetamine, dextroamphetamine
- methylphenidate or dexmethylphenidate
- pemoline
- Procarbazine
- Warfarin
- cyclosporin
Food interactions with Vilafinil 200 mg:
- Alcohol: Vilafinil 200mg is a wakefulness-promoting medication. Alcohol, on the other hand, induces drowsiness. This contradicts the effect of Vilafinil 200 mg. Hence, patients must not consume alcohol while taking this medication.
- Caffeine: caffeine, just like other CNS stimulants, activates the sympathetic nervous system. Consuming both of these substances together may cause increased side effects.
- Grapefruit: Grapefruit interferes with the metabolism of modafinil. This can cause the medication to remain longer in the body.
FAQs:
Q. What is Vilafinil 200mg?
Vilafinil 200mg is a nervous system stimulant. It contains 200 mg of its active ingredient, modafinil. It promotes wakefulness and makes the person consuming it more alert and awake.
Q. What is Vilafinil 200mg used for?
Vilafinil 200mg treats excessive sleepiness caused by several sleep disorders. These include narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder.
Q. Who cannot take Vilafinil 200mg?
Children below the age of 18 are not permitted to consume Vilafinil 200 mg. In addition, people with various medical health conditions must not take this medication. They must consult their doctor in this matter.
Q. Is it safe to drive after taking Vilafinil 200 mg?
Although there are no reported cases of accidents due to modafinil, it is important to note that Vilafinil 200mg is a CNS stimulant. It can alter judgment and movement. Hence, it is best to avoid driving after taking Vilafinil 200 mg.
Q. Can pregnant/lactating women take Vilafinil 200mg?
There is no scientific data available about the effects of modafinil on the fetus or breast milk. Hence, pregnant/lactating women must consult their doctors before consuming Vilafinil 200mg.
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