Posted by Rick on July 22, 2000, at 1:33:41
In reply to Re: For all you Provigil vs. adrafinil watchers; N=1, posted by PattyG on July 20, 2000, at 22:01:53
> ///You refer to this as a "stimulating med." I know little or nothing about Provigil, but would love to know more about it. Is it actually considered to be an amphetamine? My son's doc wouldn't consider Ritalin, Adderall, etc. and we're still searching for something that would energize him. (He's taking Effexor SR 150 mg.) Would be very interested in all view points. Also, is this a drug that could be provided through a patient assistance program?
Patty --
The official FDA indication for Provigil (modafinil) is excessive daytime sleepiness due to narcolepsy, but once a drug is approved in the U.S. a doctor is not bound to the official indication. I'm guessing your son doesn't have narcolepsy, which is often misdiagnosed as depression by the way, but doctors (especially psychiatrists) commonly and legally prescribe medications for "off label" uses. I read in a medical business journal that it is estimated that 40% of Provigil prescriptions to-date are for disorders other than narcolepsy. In fact, it is actively being tested for a number of other disorders such as ADD, Alzheimers's and daytime sleepiness due to sleep apnea (it has already demonstrated effectiveness in early-stage testing for the latter). Wile Provigil has been used in Eurpope for about 12 years it has only been in the U.S. since late 1998. As such doctors --even some psychiatrists -- tend to be unfamiliar with it.
Provigil is NOT an amphetamine; it provides a gentler kind of stimulation with fewer side effects and less addiction potential (although I personally believe the addiction potential for Ritalin -- when used for valid theraputic reasons -- is highly overstated). Ritalin and Adderall are Class II controlled substances which have higly restrictive prescription and refill requirements that do not apply to Provigil (Class IV). That may help sway your doctor's thinking, as might the fact that research has proven it unlikely to cause dependence, addiction or withdrawal symptoms (I temporarily stopped my 200 mg/day a "cold turkey" a week before getting gall bladder surgery with no difficulty at all). Another great thing about Provigil is that, even though it provides stimulation, it is all taken in the morning and does not cause insomnia or even interfere with daytime naps. It certainly has energized me, in a benign way that did not decrease the effectiveness of my anxiety treatment. Virtually all studies to date (both on healthy individuals and those with narcolepsy) show a similar reaction. Of course, everyone's body chemistry is different, and I've seen a number of anecdotal reports from people who did not like it at all. But you never know until you try. Which brings up another point: Provigil usually elicits a theraputic response very quickly -- often immediately and usually no later than one week.Finally, you may have seen the recent research study abstract that I and other have posted here suggesting that Provigil can act synergistically with antidepressants. (E-mail me if you can't locate it on this board or elsewhere and would like me to e-mail the abstract).
Although drug-makers' websites should always be taken with a grain of salt, Provigil's has credibility -- at least for me, based on my benefits and ack of side effects. There is a section on financial assistance, but I haven't read it. Also, I don't recall what they say about use in children (you didn't give your son's age).
www.provigil.com
Hope this helps.
Rick
www.provigil.com
poster:Rick
thread:40747
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000717/msgs/41164.html