What is Provigil prescribed for?

Provigil is used to improve wakefulness in people with excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy.

General Precautions to take when on Provigil:

• Provigil can decrease the effectiveness of certain contraceptives including birth control pills, and implantable contraceptives. If you are using this type of contraceptive while taking Provigil and for 1 month after you stop treatment with Provigil you should either:
  • use an alternate birth control method, or
  • use another effective birth control method together with your current contraceptive.
• Doses of your other medications may need to be adjusted or you may have to be monitored more closely.
• Do not drive or operate other complex machinery until you know how Provigil affects your ability to function.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Call your doctor if you develop a skin rash, hives, or allergic reactions.

There are some things that you should tell your doctor when taking this medication:

Tell your doctor or doctor if you:

• have any heart conditions, (including valve problems, irregular heart beat, recent heart attack, or unstable chest pain)
• have a history of mental illness
• have liver problems
• you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or if you are currently breast feeding.
• tell your doctor what medications you are taking, including those that you take without a prescription, Certain types of medications can interact with Provigil.

What side effects can you expect when taking Provigil? (This is only a partial list of side effects reported with Provigil. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a complete list of possible side effects and drug interactions..)

• Headache
• Infection
• Nausea
• Nervousness
• Feeling anxious
• Trouble sleeping

For more detailed information about Provigil, ask your doctor.