What is Waklert 150mg?
Waklert 150mg is a brain-stimulating drug. It treats excessive sleepiness and promotes wakefulness. Hence, it is used in the treatment of several sleeping disorders.
The main pharmaceutical ingredient in Waklert 150mg is armodafinil. It is classified under the “eugeroics” group, which contains all the “stimulant” drugs. The chemical formula of armodafinil is C15H15NO2S. It is not soluble in water. Therefore, it cannot be injected; it is only available as an oral tablet.
In 2007, the US FDA approved armodafinil for the treatment of narcolepsy. Later, it was approved for treating OSA and shift work sleep disorder. It is classified under Schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This means that the drug has a low potential for abuse. However, it cannot be consumed without a valid medical prescription. Hence, Waklert 150mg not only requires a prescription for consumption but also for its trade.
What are The Uses of Waklert 150mg Tablets?
Waklert 150mg in UK is used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness due to narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder. It stimulates the Central Nervous System (CNS). Presently, it is an on-label treatment for the following disorders:
Narcolepsy
This disease is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness. People with narcolepsy have trouble staying awake for extended periods of time. Other symptoms include drowsiness, cataplexy, loss of productivity, etc.
Shift work sleep disorder
This disorder affects people who work outside the classic 9–5 time frame. This disrupts the patient’s circadian rhythm, i.e., the biological clock. Symptoms of this disorder include insomnia at bedtime, excessive sleepiness at work hours, loss of concentration, and moods.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
This causes the person to stop breathing several times in their sleep. The breathing stops for at least 10 seconds. A characteristic symptom of OSA is loud snoring, although this is not always the case. Other symptoms include excessive daytime sleepiness, waking up choking, morning headaches, etc.
Waklert 150mg is also used as an off-label treatment for the following conditions:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Cancer-related fatigue
- Cocaine dependence
- Multiple sclerosis-related fatigue
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Post-anesthetic sedation
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Unipolar and bipolar disorders
What are The Dosage Guidelines for Waklert 150mg Tablets?
Do not take Waklert 150mg unless a medical practitioner instructs it.
For narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea:
- 150 mg of armodafinil or 1 tablet every day
- A person can consume a maximum of 250 mg of armodafinil safely in a day. However, there is no evidence that suggests a higher dosage equals higher efficiency.
For shift work sleep disorder:
-
- 150 mg of armodafinil or one tablet 1 hour before the shift starts.
How to Take Waklert 150mg Tablet ?
- Take one tablet at a time and swallow it with water. Do not break or chew the tablet.
- Keep designated times to take the medication.
- Avoid taking the medicine close to bedtime.
- Stick to the dosage and schedule given by the doctor.
- Do not abruptly stop taking the medicine.
Missed Dosage Guidelines:
- If patients miss a dose, they must take it as soon as they remember.
- Skip the missed dose if it is very close to bedtime.
- Do not take two doses to make up for the missed dose.
Overdosage Guidelines:
- Given below are the symptoms of a Waklert 150mg overdose:
- Chest pain
- Confusion
- Lightheadedness
- Pounding in ears
- Blurred vision
- Hallucinations
- Weakness
- Elevated blood pressure
If someone experiences any of these symptoms, they must immediately contact the doctor or emergency services.
How does Waklert 150mg Tablet Work?
The active ingredient in Waklert 150mg is armodafinil. It is the R-isomer present in the popular drug Modafinil. It is very similar to modafinil, with minor differences. Compared to the latter, armodafinil can stay longer in the human body. It is, therefore, required at a lower dosage compared to modafinil. The mechanism of action of armodafinil is very similar to that of modafinil. In vitro studies performed on modafinil can give the following information about armodafinil:
Armodafinil acts on the dopamine transporter DAT. It weakly binds to DAT, which prevents dopamine reuptake into the neurons. As a result, dopamine concentrations in the extracellular region increase. Dopamine regulates a variety of functions, including the sleep cycle. It inhibits the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and melatonin, which promote sleep. As dopamine levels increase, the person becomes awake. The drug acts on specific regions of the brain that regulate sleep.
It does not act on the receptors of any neurotransmitters responsible for sleep regulation. Nor does it increase the production of dopamine. These factors add to the clinical significance of armodafinil.
Furthermore, armodafinil produces similar psychoactive effects as other CNS stimulants. Hence, it is best to follow the medical guidelines strictly while consuming Waklert 150mg. Unsupervised use of this drug can lead to addiction.
What are The Side Effects of Waklert 150mg Tablets?
The use of Waklert 150mg tablets, like any medication, can lead to various side effects, which may vary in severity and occurrence among individuals.
Some of the common side effects associated with Waklert 150mg tablets include:
Headache:
Headaches are among the most commonly reported side effects of Waklert 150mg tablets. They may range from mild discomfort to more severe headaches.
Nausea:
Some patients who take Waklert 150mg tablets may feel queasy or uncomfortable in their stomach.
Insomnia:
Since Waklert 150mg tablets promote wakefulness, they may make it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep, particularly if taken later in the day.
Anxiety:
Patients who consume this drug may experience anxiety, restlessness, or nervousness.
Dizziness:
Dizziness or lightheadedness may occur as a side effect of Waklert 150mg tablets, particularly at the start of treatment or with higher doses.
Dry mouth:
When taken, Waklert 150mg tablets can cause a dry sensation in the mouth and throat, which is known as Dry mouth or xerostomia
Elevated blood pressure:
Waklert 150mg tablets may cause an increase in blood pressure in some individuals, particularly those who have a previous medical history of hypertension or cardiovascular conditions.
Palpitations:
Some individuals may experience palpitations or a rapid heartbeat as a side effect of Waklert 150mg tablets.
Gastrointestinal disturbances:
Waklert 150mg tablets may cause gastrointestinal disturbances such as diarrhoea or abdominal discomfort in some individuals.
Rash:
In rare cases, individuals may develop a rash or skin irritation as a side effect of Waklert 150mg tablets, which may indicate an allergic reaction.
Precautions & Warnings
Follow the given precautions and warnings before consuming Waklert 150mg:
- First, discuss with a doctor before taking Waklert 150mg.
- Inform the doctor about any ongoing medications, diet and allergies.
- Patients must also inform if they are suffering from or have a history of:
- Cardiovascular disorders
- Liver or kidney impairments
- Seizures
- Psychiatric disorders
- Immediately contact the doctor if patients have any side effects.
- Give information about any history of using controlled substances.
- Do not share the medication with anyone else. Especially those with a history of alcoholism or drug abuse.
Interactions:
This section explores Waklert 150mg interactions with different drugs and foods. However, there are a lot of substances that react with this medication that are not mentioned. Hence, patients must inform their doctors about all the substances they consume.
Antidepressants:
These include citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), clomipramine (Anafranil), etc. Consuming armodafinil with such antidepressants can aggravate the side effects. Special attention must be given to monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MOAs). These are a class of antidepressants. With MOAs, there is a risk of “drug synergism,” which may lead to hyperactive episodes.
Antipsychotics and benzodiazepines.:
Armodafinil can reduce the effects of antipsychotics and benzodiazepines. It can also increase side effects due to benzodiazepines. E.g., of benzodiazepines- midazolam (Nayzilam, Seizalam), diazepam (Valium, Valtoco), and triazolam (Halcion). Antipsychotics are generally sedatives. This contradicts the effects of armodafinil. Antipsychotics like aripiprazole (Abilify, Aristada, etc.), brexpiprazole (Rexulti), clozapine (Clozaril, Versacloz), etc. must not be consumed simultaneously with Waklert 150mg.
Hormonal birth control pills:
Armodafinil reduces the effect of hormonal birth controls like pills, rings, and patches. Women of childbearing age must switch to physical methods to avoid unwanted pregnancies. Use these alternative contraceptives for at least one month after discontinuing Waklert 150mg.
Other stimulant drugs:
These drugs can have a synergistic effect with armodafinil. This can worsen the side effects of both Waklert 150mg and the stimulant. Avoid taking amphetamines, dextroamphetamines, lisdexamfetamines and other stimulants together with armodafinil.
Food interactions:
As of now, only three foods are known to interact with Waklert 150mg. These include:
Grapefruits:
They contain an enzyme that interferes with armodafinil metabolism. This causes the drug to remain in the system longer.
Caffeine:
It has a similar CNS activating effect as armodafinil. Consuming caffeine with armodafinil can intensify the side effects.
Alcohol:
It promotes sleepiness and drowsy feelings. This contradicts the wakefulness effects of armodafinil. Hence, these components should not be consumed together.
FAQs:
Q. What is Waklert 150mg?
Waklert 150mg is a brain stimulant that promotes wakefulness. It contains 150 mg of its active ingredient, armodafinil. It is used to treat narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder.
Q. Who can take Waklert 150mg?
Only people over the age of 18 are permitted to take 150 mg of Waklert. Apart from this, one can only consume Waklert 150mg under the doctor’s instructions.
Q. Can I drive after taking 150 mg?
There are no reports of any accidents caused by armodafinil. However, remember that armodafinil is a brain stimulant. It can alter judgement and affect motor-actions. Hence, it is best to avoid driving after consuming Waklert 150mg.
Q. Where can I buy Waklert 150mg from?
Waklert 150mg contains armodafinil, which is a controlled substance. Buying important drugs from shady sources might harm your health and pose legal risks. Purchase Waklert 150mg only from reputed and accredited pharmacies.
Q. Can pregnant/lactating women take Waklert 150mg?
There is no data available about the effect of armodafinil on the unborn child. Also, it is not known whether the drug can pass into breast milk. Hence, pregnant and lactating women must be cautious before consuming Waklert 150mg.
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