Modafinil - oral

Modafinil is used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness (narcolepsy). People with narcolepsy often fall asleep suddenly during normal waking hours. This medicine can improve, but does not totally cure, this tendency to fall asleep unexpectedly.

Modafinil is also used to treat shift work sleep disorder, in which shift workers suffer sleeping problems due to their work routine.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.

Take Modafinil exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more than instructed by your doctor.

You may take this medicine with or without food. Swallow it whole, do not chew or crush it the tablet. Try to take it same time each day.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.

Inform your doctor if you have the following:

- heart disease
- liver disease
- kidney disease
- mood disorder
- Tourette syndrome (a condition which causes repetitive, uncontrollable movements or sounds)

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

It is important for you to have enough sleep and rest even while being treated with Modafinil. This medicine cannot replace adequate sleep and rest.

Modafinil may make you feel dizzy. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.

Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nervousness, difficulty sleeping, anxiety, nausea, stomach pain, indigestion, appetite loss, weight loss, diarrhoea, back pain and runny nose.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

- chest pains
- fast or irregular heartbeat or mood changes

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effect.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

- medicines for mood disorders e.g. clomipramine, sertraline, clozapine, tranylcypromine and related MAOI medicines
- medicine for sleeping disorder or anxiety e.g. diazepam, alprazolam, triazolam, midazolam
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenytoin, carbamazepine or phenobarbitone
- birth control pills e.g. progestogen-only contraceptives
- warfarin (a blood-thinning medicine)

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Modafanil.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol.

Avoid taking too much caffeine-containing drinks such as coffee, tea and certain soft drinks. Caffeine may prevent you from having a good night's sleep.

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.