5 replies to this topic

[alpal]

Hey,

 

I want to get back on modafinil. After about a weeks use last year I noticed flu like symptoms (which I think I wrongly attributed to lack of sleep) like runny nose, then skin tightness/dryness, and then after a shower red splotches on my feet. These were mostly visible after showers and mostly went away when I cooled down except a few small areas. Since abstaining I havent had any of these symptoms.

 

I wanted to know if anyone has information about stopping these side effects so I can restart on modafinil without worrying about SJS or something serious evolving.

 

Thanks

[ModaMinds]

You can try Claritin to negate the effects. Take a look at this post: http://www.longecity...e-5#entry583540

 

Quoted the important part for reference. Also you can pick up Modalert at ModaMinds.com.

 

The final addition I've made is fairly straightforward: Claritin(loratadine), the OTC non-drowsy antihistamine. What most people forget about the antihistamines is that they're also antimuscarinic/anticholinergic. The reason "non-drowsy" antihistamines were made was because the original antihistamines (like benadryl) cross the blood brain barrier and inhibit neuronal histamine and acetylcholine receptors, which are involved in alertness, cognition, and memory. This lead to the side effect of drowsiness, etc, but also took care of allergies systemically. The invention of second generation antihistamines like Claritin prevented the cognitive side effects because the molecule cannot pass the blood brain barrier, or at least, only does so very, very minimally. The constant side effect that I periodically run into with nooptropics that enhance cholinergic signalling (all the choline precursors, ginkgo, and piracetam) was increased systemic cholinergic activity. Occasional mild bronchospasm, GI upset, sweating, muscle twitches, excess saliva, watery eyes, bradycardia, etc. I never experienced anything clinically concerning, but these are definitely annoying side effects. When I added in Armodafinil (a histamine agonist, among other things), I began noticing minor allergies and rashes-- as I've mentioned before I tend to be prone to atopy. The solution to both of these problems is the addition of a non-blood-brain-barrier soluble H1/M1,3 antagonist, like Claritin. Voila. No more systemic side effects and no noticeable reduction in CNS efficacy, the nootropic stack is now isolated to activity within the blood brain barrier... in theory. So far this has been working very well for me.

 

[Jeoshua]

It is possible that you have an intolerance to Sulfonamide. If this is the case, then you should not take Modafinil, or Adrafinil, or IDRA-21, or Unifiram, or any other molecule containing a sulfonamide moiety. There is no way to overcome or chemically mask a sulfonamide allergy, and if serious enough could cause SJS, a very serious disorder. A doctor would be able to do blood tests and tell you conclusively if you have a sulfonamide allergy, and this kind of thing is right up there with nut allergies and blood type as one of the top things you need to know about yourself, medically.

It is also possible that your body is just not reacting well to the increased amount of sulfur in your blood. I personally had this reaction when taking high doses of Taurine. The best way I have found to handle that eventuality is to take healthy doses of Folic Acid, which helps transport the Sulfur out of your body through the urine, instead of your sweat.

Edited by Jeoshua, 24 April 2014 - 05:03 PM.

[alpal]

It is possible that you have an intolerance to Sulfonamide. If this is the case, then you should not take Modafinil, or Adrafinil, or IDRA-21, or Unifiram, or any other molecule containing a sulfonamide moiety. There is no way to overcome or chemically mask a sulfonamide allergy, and if serious enough could cause SJS, a very serious disorder. A doctor would be able to do blood tests and tell you conclusively if you have a sulfonamide allergy, and this kind of thing is right up there with nut allergies and blood type as one of the top things you need to know about yourself, medically.

It is also possible that your body is just not reacting well to the increased amount of sulfur in your blood. I personally had this reaction when taking high doses of Taurine. The best way I have found to handle that eventuality is to take healthy doses of Folic Acid, which helps transport the Sulfur out of your body through the urine, instead of your sweat.

 

Awesome!

 

Would getting a negative result for that allergy eliminate most of the serious risk?

 

What's a common reason to ask for that test thats not to do with noots?

[Jeoshua]

Tell him the truth. Tell him you took some medicine and broke out in a rash, and are concerned you might be allergic to it, and someone on the internet mentioned sulfonamides when you asked about it. The doc might refer you to a specialist, but the test is very straightforward. I had one done as a kid and I still remember it. Small removal of blood and a little tissue, they take it, culture it, and test its reaction to various common allergens in vivo, like peanuts, cat dander, sulfonamides, etc. That's the full panel, but in this case you really just need to have the one test done. It's probably a lot less expensive, that way.

Edited by Jeoshua, 24 April 2014 - 06:04 PM.

[ZHMike]

I would just be very careful, if it was SJS which is very rare, this could be life threatening.. so keep that in mind.