ADHD Medication: Provigil (Modafinil)

The most commonly prescribed drugs for the treatment of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) are stimulants. Stimulants include amphetamines and methylphenidate. Examples of methylphenidate are Ritalin, Concerta, or Adderall. This group of medications, classified as the stimulant medications, is proven to be beneficial in treating ADHD; however, due to the risks such as the potential for substance abuse and unpleasant side effects, more and more doctors refrain from prescribing these medications to ADHD patients. Some ADHD patients are hesitant to take the stimulant drugs because of their addictive components and patients may be at risk for becoming addicted to these drugs.

Fortunately, through extensive study and conducted research, experts have discovered other alternative medications for treating ADHD symptoms, aside from stimulants. Researchers have discovered a group of non-stimulant drugs that are able to provide similar beneficial effects as the stimulant drugs without the detrimental addictive traits or adverse side effects. Provigil (Modafinil) is one of these non-stimulant drugs that is aiding ADHD patients and giving them relief of their symptoms.

Provigil is prescribed to ADHD patients to enhance an individual’s memory and to improve an individual’s mood. It allows the individual to become more focused, aware, and alert for the majority of the time when it is necessary, such as during the completion of a task. An advantage to Provigil is the noticeable decrease in side effects when compared to its counter stimulant drugs.

Individuals that experience difficulty sleeping such as sleep apnea and narcolepsy can benefit from Provigil. The objective of Provigil is to keep the individual awake, focused, and alert when that individual needs to be. In addition, Provigil can also benefit individuals with ADHD. It targets one of the major symptoms of ADHD, inability to pay attention. Since Provigil allows the individual the ability to stay awake, it also assists in improving an ADHD patient’s alertness and attentiveness. Provigil is proven to exhibit the same methylphenidate effects as stimulant drugs (Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall, etc.) without the risk of drug-dependency and adverse side effects that are associated with stimulants.

Provigil is FDA approved for the treatment of sleeping disorders/difficulties and is currently the drug of choice to relieve symptoms and improve sleep. An increasing number of people are being prescribed modafinil for ADHD by their physicians and are now electing Provigil as their drug of choice for relieving their symptoms; however, Provigil has not been approved by the FDA for treatment of ADHD symptoms and is therefore considered an off-labeled drug.

The side effects of Provigil can include blurred vision, headache, dry mouth, constipation, diarrhea, back pain, insomnia, loss of appetite, depression, allergic reaction and/or an increase in heart rate. Consult with your physician immediately you have difficulty breathing, a decrease in blood pressure, or signs of an allergic reaction as these side effects can be life-threatening.

Provigil (Modafinil) has been proven effective when administered to ADHD patients through clinical trials and studies. Provigil is considered an off-labeled drug since the FDA has not yet approved this drug for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).