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Modafinil: 2008 Reviews


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#1 Rags847

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Posted 07 February 2008 - 01:25 AM


I though that this would be a useful idea.

Instead of subjective experience/anecdotal recountings of taking Modafinil scattered over many threads, put you 2008 Modafinil reviews all right here - in one thread.

Qts you might want address in your review:

How long have you taken Modafinil?
What dose do you use?
What is your frequency rate (daily/as needed)?
Why do you use Modafinil (for motivation/stimulation, ADHD, fatigue/narcolepsy, SAD, depression, overcoming sleep deprivation, etc)?
How effective has it been for you?

A lot of info on Modafinil at Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modafinil


Modafinil is a eugeroic drug generally prescribed to treat narcolepsy, made by the pharmaceutical company Cephalon. It is not a typical stimulant and is often described as a "wakefulness promoting agent". The drug is sometimes prescribed off-label for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). In mass-media advertisements and websites, Cephalon markets the drug for improving "alertness" and reducing excessive daytime sleepiness.

Edited by Rags847, 07 February 2008 - 01:32 AM.


#2 happy

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Posted 07 February 2008 - 03:33 AM

I began taking Provigil last week, after receiving a prescription for it. I am 22 years old and am under a lot of academic stress so I use Modafinil to keep me motivated/and focused.

I have been experimenting with dosage but so far I've been taking 50/mg twice a week in the mornings and sometimes 50mg morning 50mg afternoon.

Its effects are definitely noticeable in a positive manner. I am able to focus on a given task, my mood has slightly improved (I don't know if it's because of the Modafinil or the deprenyl (1mg/week)), and I have noticed an immediate improvement in memory retention.

I've noticed its effects are more subtle if you sleep 8-10 hours, and the one time I used it when I had only had 4-6 hours of sleep physically I was tired but I was mentally able to function as if I had slept 8-10hours.

Happy

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#3 lynx

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Posted 07 February 2008 - 03:38 AM

Modafinil works as advertised. U shaped dose response curve for concentration, too much inhibits effective thinking. Great stuff. I find I must cycle it.

#4 Rags847

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Posted 07 February 2008 - 04:15 AM

my mood has slightly improved (I don't know if it's because of the Modafinil or the deprenyl (1mg/week)


You aren't alone, happy, in experiencing mood elevating effects.

Off of Wiki:
"Modafinil used in a randomized double blind study showed that normal healthy volunteers between the ages of 30-44 showed general improvement in alertness as well as mood. In the 3 day study, counterbalanced, randomized, crossover, inpatient trial of modafinil 400 mg was administered as well as a placebo to the control group. The conclusion demonstrated that modafinil may have general mood elevating effects in particular for the adjunctive use in treatment-resistant depression.[29]"

^ a b Bonaventure, P., Letavic, M., Dugovich, C., Wilson, S., Alusio, L., Pudiak, C., et al. (2007, April 15). Histamine H(3) receptor antagonists: From target identification to drug leads. Biochemical Pharmocology, 73(2007 Apr 15; Vol. 73 (8), pp. 1084–96), 1084–96. Abstract retrieved April 2, 2007, from Medline database.

Edited by Rags847, 07 February 2008 - 04:17 AM.


#5 Rags847

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Posted 07 February 2008 - 04:20 AM

Modafinil works as advertised. U shaped dose response curve for concentration, too much inhibits effective thinking.


Lynx, what is the optimal dose for you? The sweet spot?


Great stuff. I find I must cycle it.


How do you work the cycling?
A set schedule or on an as-needed basis?

Edited by Rags847, 07 February 2008 - 04:24 AM.


#6 Shannon Vyff

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Posted 07 February 2008 - 06:20 AM

If you are new to Modafinil you may want to read over the past threads at ImmInst where people talk about their experiences with it. I have in the past read about Modafinil and have considered getting to help my husband who is quite driven, currently in graduate school and working 3 jobs plus parenting 3 children and still exercising (he seems to do all right, on little sleep already, without Modafinil ;) ). I've been interested it for myself, and have looked into getting it--but don't see a reason to get a prescription yet. After reading over all the past things said by ImmInst members, I'm certain now that I'd like to try it some day. :

experiences-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

experiences-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

experiences-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

experiences-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

experiences-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

neuroprotective?-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

experiences-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

about-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

experiences-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

modafinil experiences and ampakines-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

in culture-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

effects-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

effects-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

dosage-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

effects-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

effects-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

effects-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

effects-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

effects-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

effects-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

in culture-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

effects-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

effects-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

effects-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

effects when combined with other drugs-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

effects and comparisons-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

effects-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

buying/US-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

effects-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

effects-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

effects/dosage-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

buying/UK-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

buying/US-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

Neuroscientist Ph.D. on-- http://www.imminst.o...mp;hl=modafinil

Finally a different forum (there are tons out there that discuss modafinil, most don't discuss it very long or in depth however) a http://forum.everyon...ead.php?t=85755

Now I really looked at about 15 forums discussing modafinil a little bit in depth (some drug manufacturers run their own forums for drugs they produce, this is what I was looking for, I did not find one for modafinil) really I concluded that ImmInst had much better info than any other forum I saw--guess you want your fellow forum members to be smarter than the average bunch, and into nootropics too ;) .

This ADD forum link-- is cool how it lists similar threads under the thread you are on (would be nice for ours ;) ) http://www.addforums...read.php?t=8397

When one is searching for live people discussing the effects of modafinil, ImmInst comes up many times--but there are hundreds of sites that discuss it briefly. I hope that anyone that is taking modafinil will look through the wealth of information of people who have taken the time to post there experiences of effects here at ImmInst. Also, for anyone that is posting in this thread it is helpful to look over what people have said in the past to help craft and focus your current posting.
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#7 Rags847

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Posted 07 February 2008 - 06:55 AM

If you are new to Modafinil you may want to read over the past threads at ImmInst where people talk about their experiences with it.... I hope that anyone that is taking modafinil will look through the wealth of information of people who have taken the time to post there experiences of effects here at ImmInst. Also, for anyone that is posting in this thread it is helpful to look over what people have said in the past to help craft and focus your current posting.


Thanks for your exhaustive research, Shannon!
Hopefully, we'll get some detailed and interesting posts from 2008 Modafinil users all consolidated into this one thread.
Let us know if you or your ambitious husband try it out.

#8 basho

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Posted 07 February 2008 - 10:46 AM

If you are new to Modafinil you may want to read over the past threads at ImmInst...

Fantastic list of threads!!

#9 Rags847

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Posted 18 February 2008 - 01:30 PM

Some Modafinil experiences here, as well:
http://www.addforums...ead.php?t=37819

#10 Rags847

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Posted 18 February 2008 - 08:57 PM

Another great testimonial:
http://www.imminst.o...o...st&p=224824

#11 Rags847

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Posted 19 February 2008 - 03:28 AM

Check it out!
I'm listening to this right now.
An awesome NPR show on Modafinil (Provigil) from 4/25/2002!
Stream it and enjoy.

http://www.theconnec...0425_b_main.asp



Hosted by: Dick Gordon Show Originally Aired: 4/25/2002
CALL 1 800-423-TALK Posted Image Living Without Sleep
Posted Image Posted Image
(AP)

Posted Image Email to friend
Posted Image
Posted Image Posted Image Posted ImageDr. Scammell gives the rules of Sleep Hygiene for patients. Posted Image Posted Image Posted Image It's sad but it's true: We're living in a 24/7 world. In fact, we're so far beyond the all night diner ,we now have all night fitness centers, movie theaters. Heck, even Wal-Mart boasts 1300 of its stores are open every day, every hour. According to one estimate, 30 million Americans work odd-hour shifts, driving, selling, manufacturing.

Think of the coffee, the No-Doz, the speed. Consider the ends to which people go to stay awake at the wheel, on the phone, tending to the sick child.

Now, a new drug is being tested that some say keeps you awake without the post-caffeine crash or a need to recover that lost sleep. Too good to be true? That's what some doctors say. "Burning the candle at both ends always has a consequence." Popping pills, working longer, is there life without sleep?
Posted Image Posted Image Posted Image


Guests:

Dr. Thomas Scammell, assistant professor of neurology, Harvard Medical School

Dr. Martin Moore-Ede, CEO, Circadian Technologies Inc.

Susan Krieg, started taking Provigil in 2000 because of overwhelming fatigue

Eddie Genthner, long-distance trucker on the Main-California route for the last 24 years

Brian Lyle, medical student just about to graduate from Hahnemann Medical Center in Phildelphia, in the field of internal medicine.

Edited by Rags847, 19 February 2008 - 03:31 AM.


#12 Rags847

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Posted 19 February 2008 - 03:38 AM

Excellent article on Modafinil's effectiveness in treating ADHD:
http://www.neuropsyc....modafinil.html

Posted Image

Home | Contact Us | Archives

Posted Image

Posted Image




PHASE III TRIALS DEMONSTRATE MODAFINIL EFFICACY IN ADHD ATLANTA— Two phase III clinical trials presented at the 158th Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association show that pediatric formulation modafinil is an effective new treatment for ADHD in children and adolescents and might be a safer alternative to the stimulant drugs now used.

INCREASED ALERTNESS AND TASK PERFORMANCE

In the first trial, James M. Swanson, PhD, Director of the Child Development Center at the University of California, Irvine, and colleagues evaluated the new modafinil pediatric formulation in children and adolescents with ADHD. “Modafinil increases alertness and task performance. It has been shown to be very effective and is widely used to treat excessive sleepiness, particularly narcolepsy. It appears to activate the prefrontal cortex in a different way than the stimulant drugs, and exploratory studies in attention-deficit disorder had looked at potential doses that might be effective for the treatment of ADHD,” Dr. Swanson said. “The next step was to try to adapt modafinil for pediatric use with a smaller, easier- to-take formulation targeting the doses the initial study suggested were the optimal for the treatment of ADHD.”

Dr. Swanson reported data from a nine-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial looking at flexible dosing with the new film-coated tablets of modafinil. The trial enrolled 194 patients ages 6 to 17 who met DSM-IV criteria for ADHD. All subjects were at least moderately ill by the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) rating, had normal intelligence, and were attending school full-time. Exclusions included failure to respond to previous stimulant therapy and untreated psychiatric comorbidities. One hundred twenty-eight patients were randomized to modafinil and 66 to placebo in a two-to-one randomization.

Patients randomized to modafinil had a starting dose of 85 mg titrated for a period of 22 days to clinical effect with once-daily dosing. The maximum dose was 425 mg/day. “The majority of the modafinil-treated group ended up on 425 mg per day,” Dr. Swanson said. Efficacy was assessed with the School (teacher-rated) and Home (parent-rated) ADHD rating scale (ADHD-RX-IV), the Clinical Global Impression of Improvement (CGI-I), and the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA).

The modafinil-treated patients had significantly greater improvement on the teacher-rated scores than did placebo-treated patients (-17.5 versus -9.7 mean change, respectively). The modafinil-treated patients also had significant improvement in the parent-rated scores (-17.5 versus -7.5). Dr. Swanson said that modafinil significantly improved the inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity ADHD-RS-IV subscales, the overall clinical condition as measured by the CGI-I, and the TOVA measurements of ADHD. “Parent observations favor modafinil, particularly regarding the impact on parent time, on emotions, and on social skills. This represents an increase in positive as well as a decrease in negative behaviors,” he remarked.

The most common adverse effects were insomnia (28% modafinil versus 7% placebo), headache (22% versus 9%), and decreased appetite (18% versus 3%). “These are the typical side effects observed with stimulants as well. Insomnia and appetite effects occurred early on and tended to decrease over time. Treatment discontinuation due to these factors was very rare,” Dr. Swanson said. There were no clinically significant changes in vital signs or in electrocardiographic, or laboratory parameters, and no serious adverse events. Weight loss occurred, but it was not clinically significant.

AFFECTING THE NETWORK OF ATTENTION

Dr. Swanson acknowledged that modafinil’s mechanism of action in ADHD is unknown, but he proposed a possible mechanism in the context of the neuroanatomical network theory of attention. This theory proposes three underlying processes of attention: alerting, orienting, and executive control. Alerting networks are thought to reside in the right frontal cortex, and increasing wakefulness or alerting might improve that component of attention. Such stimulation might also interact with executive control.

“Dopaminergic neurons and the ventral tegmentum area of the substantia nigra project up into the caudate nucleus and the nucleus accumbens, and also directly into the anterior cingulate gyrus and to the prefrontal cortex,” Dr. Swanson said. “The stimulus operates by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, primarily in the caudate nucleus and the nucleus accumbens, and activating the cortical striata thalamic loops. The activation of the cingulate gyrus and the frontal cortex has been well studied with stimulant drugs, which have been used for over a half century to treat attention deficit disorders.”

Instead of this bottom-up effect of blocking the dopamine transporter, Dr. Swanson proposed that modafinil might activate the anterior cingulate cortex. This, in turn, might affect executive function and alertness in ADHD.

EFFECTIVE DOSING

The second modafinil study presented was from Joseph Biederman, MD, and colleagues at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. They reported that the new modafinil pediatric formulation, given using weight-adjusted once-daily dosages, is effective and well-tolerated even with rapid dose escalation, and that this formulation does not cause withdrawal or rebound symptoms if suddenly stopped.

Patients in this study were similar to those in the Swanson study (ages 6 to 17, met DSM-IV criteria for moderate to severe ADHD). The protocol was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-to-one randomization to modafinil or placebo. Twenty patients were randomized to seven weeks of modafinil and 63 patients to placebo, followed by two weeks of withdrawal study. During the withdrawal period, half of the modafinil-treated patients were converted to placebo without dose tapering, and half continued taking modafinil. “This was to examine the effect of a common event, such as patients flushing their medications down the toilet after an argument with their parents,” Dr. Biederman said. “We wanted to know the consequences of stopping abruptly if you are taking a reasonably high dose.” Dr. Biederman is Chief of Clinical and Research in Pediatric Psychopharmacology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

Modafinil was given once daily, starting at 85 mg/day and increasing for a period of seven or nine days to 340 mg for patients weighing less than 30 kg or 425 mg for patients weighing more than 30 kg. Efficacy was assessed with both the School and the Home ADHD-RS-IV total score change from baseline to last on-treatment visit.

“After one week, the modafinil-treated patients had significantly greater improvement in School ADHD-RS-IV scores versus the placebo-treated patients and the effect was maintained through week 7,” Dr. Biederman said. The improvement in School ADHD-RS-IV at week 7 was -17.2 for patients receiving modafinil versus -8.2 for those receiving placebo. Modafinil also significantly improved total scores on the Home ADHD-RS-IV. Dr. Biederman noted that patients continued to improve over the ensuing weeks after reaching the upper dose level.

NO REBOUND

ADHD symptoms did not rebound when placebo replaced modafinil, and the most common adverse effects were similar to those in the Swanson study: insomnia, headache, appetite decrease, and abdominal pain. “They were related to treatment initiation and generally resolved with continued treatment. There were very few discontinuations as a result of adverse effects. Weight loss was statistically significant but there was a very modest change in weight,” Dr. Biederman said.

The lack of rebound or withdrawal after abrupt discontinuation is likely to be an important point for clinicians. “The activation of dopamine not only impacts on the cortex, where the old medications work, but also affects other areas, such as the nucleus accumbens, and as a result the potential for abuse is a hazard,” Dr. Biederman said. “Modafinil is a scheduled drug, but it is a schedule IV drug, which is a big difference in practice for the practitioner as well as for the patient.”

“In summary,” Dr. Biederman concluded, “modafinil was effective in improving ADHD symptoms and behaviors. There was consistent and sustained improvement in school and after hours as reported by parents. A significant treatment effect was observed by week one. That was the week that the titration was completed. Symptoms and behaviors improved and as maintenance treatment continued, there was continued improvement.”

—Janis Kelly

Suggested Reading
American Academy of Pediatrics. Clinical practice guidelines: diagnosis and evaluation of the child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Pediatrics. 2000;105:1158-1170.
Rugino TA, Samsock TC. Modafinil in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Pediatr Neurol. 2003;29:136-142.




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Edited by Rags847, 19 February 2008 - 03:38 AM.


#13 Rags847

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Posted 19 February 2008 - 03:57 AM

And in case you missed it:

Excellent video of an English researcher comparing Modafinil to Ritalin (starts at about the 20 min mark):
http://streaming.oii...6/16032006-1.rm

Found the link at this thread:
http://www.imminst.o....odafinil video

#14 Rags847

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Posted 19 February 2008 - 05:24 AM

A Modafinil experience:
The pros of low-doses. Cut a tablet into fourths and took 25 mg every four hours, 4 times today, and had a great and productive day - with no side effects.
Others have found lower doses to work well for them:
http://www.imminst.o...o...st&p=224883

Edited by Rags847, 19 February 2008 - 05:26 AM.


#15 mewild

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Posted 07 March 2008 - 11:19 AM

I think 200mg is too much for "healthy" people.

Also I had mild dyspnea yesterday, anyone else with this symptom?

P.S.: I'm using Sun's Modalert

Edited by mewild, 07 March 2008 - 11:27 AM.


#16 celavie

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Posted 07 March 2008 - 03:51 PM

I think 200mg is too much for "healthy" people.

Also I had mild dyspnea yesterday, anyone else with this symptom?

P.S.: I'm using Sun's Modalert

I think even 100mg/day is too much for me. I'm down to 50g/day (one dose in morning) and it's seems about right -- still a bit of pep but without feeling "wired" at all. I'm using Modalert 200mg tabs cut into 4.

I may even buy 100mg tabs next time just to get a bit more fine control over the dosage.

Edited by celavie, 07 March 2008 - 03:52 PM.


#17 psy333che

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Posted 09 March 2008 - 02:18 AM

I also break it up.. I usually take one a day (200mg ) but split it up in halves each day and when I travel I use half dose every 4 to 6 hours ...and take no more then two a day
I get too jittery on taking two whole tablets ( 400mg)a day as whole pills as I was prescribed and some days only take a half
I have been taking provigil now for over three 1/2 years now
I don't see a difference with a whole pill vs a half so breaking it up makes my energy level stay even through the day and I don't feel jittery at all





A Modafinil experience:
The pros of low-doses. Cut a tablet into fourths and took 25 mg every four hours, 4 times today, and had a great and productive day - with no side effects.
Others have found lower doses to work well for them:
http://www.imminst.o...o...st&p=224883



#18 GOGO

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Posted 26 April 2008 - 10:51 AM

I was prescribed Provigil for sleepiness despite CPAP treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. On days when I got poor sleep, Provigil had an unmistakable positive effect. When I got reasonably good sleep I didn't think Provigil's effects were noticeable enough to justify the $8 per 200 mg. cost. I always used a 200 mg dose. I went through (30) 200 mg. pills over the course of a month, one per day after waking.

I never noticed any negative side effects. At best, the Provigil helped me function as well as, but no better than when I get good sleep.

My insurance company refused to allow coverage despite my doctor's prescription. I didn't bother to contest because it was a $3000 deductable plan and I changed providers shortly thereafter to another high deductable plan. I would keep some on hand for when I get poor sleep if I didn't have to pay full price.

According to wikipedia:

Adrafinil is a prodrug; it is primarily metabolized in vivo to modafinil (Provigil), resulting in nearly identical pharmacological effects. Unlike modafinil, however, it takes time for the metabolite to accumulate to active levels in the bloodstream. Effects usually are apparent within 45-60 minutes when taken orally on an empty stomach.


I got some adrafinil (Olmifon) today and tried a 600 mg. dose after getting poor sleep last night. It seemed to bring me to normal functioning, the same as the Provigil.

Edited by GOGO, 26 April 2008 - 11:20 AM.


#19 croc_choda

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Posted 27 April 2008 - 06:57 PM

Quick background: 25 year old male, law student, good physical and mental condition, no regular prescribed medications. I tend to go to sleep late and wake up early for class and work. I would say I typically get between 5.5-6.0 hours of sleep nightly. I don't think I have any sleep-related disorders beyond what is probably the natural "afternoon-dip", which itself is never uncontrollable.

I've been taking ephedrine in various formulations for about 7 years now to "get me going" on a level more than caffeine products alone can. Since the ephedra ban, my product of choice has been Bronkaid (2 tablets with coffee or energy drink). I also obtain Adderall (both 'regular' and XR) from my classmates, when they are willing to part with their own supplies. I greatly prefer Adderall to ephedrine/caffeine.

I starting growing tired of feeling somehow indebted to my friends for selling me Adderall so I began the hunt for my own alternative. After reading all the hype regarding provigil, I set out to find a source that didn't include a going to a doctor and paying insane prices for branded Provigil (my insurance plan is a University plan, so needless to say, drug coverage is poor). After searching for sellers and reading forums to decide who was legit and who wasn't, I found a source for reasonably priced Modalert (Sun Pharma), 50 x 200mg tablets. The order arrived surprisingly quick. The blister packs were intact and looked identical (as far as I can tell) to those I've seen on other threads.

The first day, I take a 200mg tablet. After about an hour or so, I can feel 'something', but I wouldn't be able to desribe it. After 30 minutes, I begin to feel like I'm 'drugged', but not in a good way. My ability to be productive has declined. I have a much more difficult time collecting my thoughts than normal. My memory feels poor, as though nothing I'm reading is taking. I generally feel like my mind is in a fog and my overall cognitive ability feels like it has really fallen. I'm scattered and can't maintain focus on anything for even the shortest amount of time. This continues for another 3-4 hours (more or less 4 hours after I swallowed the pill) until the fog starts to lift. Over the next few hours, I slowly return to a condition where I feel I can think clearly.

This is exactly opposite from what I expected, based upon what I had read in the marketing materials, experience reports, forum postings and media accounts.

The next day, right after I wake up, I take another 200mg tablet. Virtually the same negative effects. After 6 hours have passed and "the fog" has lifted signicantly, I take half a tablet (~100mg) and an hour later, I'm back in more-or-less the same fog, diminished mental abilities and all.

The last 2 days I have taken a quarter of tablet in the morning (~50mg) and I barely notice any effect--which is good considering the effects I've experienced thus far have been negative, but bad in relation to my expectations.

I'm at a cross-roads with modalert: keep experimenting with doses to find the "right one" or discontinue use altogether.

If anyone has any thoughts on my experience, I'd like to hear them. Did anyone else have the same experience? Maybe my brain chemistry is such that modafinil "doesn't work". Maybe my expectations were misguided.

#20 Ghostrider

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Posted 27 April 2008 - 09:06 PM

Quick background: 25 year old male, law student, good physical and mental condition, no regular prescribed medications. I tend to go to sleep late and wake up early for class and work. I would say I typically get between 5.5-6.0 hours of sleep nightly. I don't think I have any sleep-related disorders beyond what is probably the natural "afternoon-dip", which itself is never uncontrollable.

I've been taking ephedrine in various formulations for about 7 years now to "get me going" on a level more than caffeine products alone can. Since the ephedra ban, my product of choice has been Bronkaid (2 tablets with coffee or energy drink). I also obtain Adderall (both 'regular' and XR) from my classmates, when they are willing to part with their own supplies. I greatly prefer Adderall to ephedrine/caffeine.

I starting growing tired of feeling somehow indebted to my friends for selling me Adderall so I began the hunt for my own alternative. After reading all the hype regarding provigil, I set out to find a source that didn't include a going to a doctor and paying insane prices for branded Provigil (my insurance plan is a University plan, so needless to say, drug coverage is poor). After searching for sellers and reading forums to decide who was legit and who wasn't, I found a source for reasonably priced Modalert (Sun Pharma), 50 x 200mg tablets. The order arrived surprisingly quick. The blister packs were intact and looked identical (as far as I can tell) to those I've seen on other threads.

The first day, I take a 200mg tablet. After about an hour or so, I can feel 'something', but I wouldn't be able to desribe it. After 30 minutes, I begin to feel like I'm 'drugged', but not in a good way. My ability to be productive has declined. I have a much more difficult time collecting my thoughts than normal. My memory feels poor, as though nothing I'm reading is taking. I generally feel like my mind is in a fog and my overall cognitive ability feels like it has really fallen. I'm scattered and can't maintain focus on anything for even the shortest amount of time. This continues for another 3-4 hours (more or less 4 hours after I swallowed the pill) until the fog starts to lift. Over the next few hours, I slowly return to a condition where I feel I can think clearly.

This is exactly opposite from what I expected, based upon what I had read in the marketing materials, experience reports, forum postings and media accounts.

The next day, right after I wake up, I take another 200mg tablet. Virtually the same negative effects. After 6 hours have passed and "the fog" has lifted signicantly, I take half a tablet (~100mg) and an hour later, I'm back in more-or-less the same fog, diminished mental abilities and all.

The last 2 days I have taken a quarter of tablet in the morning (~50mg) and I barely notice any effect--which is good considering the effects I've experienced thus far have been negative, but bad in relation to my expectations.

I'm at a cross-roads with modalert: keep experimenting with doses to find the "right one" or discontinue use altogether.

If anyone has any thoughts on my experience, I'd like to hear them. Did anyone else have the same experience? Maybe my brain chemistry is such that modafinil "doesn't work". Maybe my expectations were misguided.


I had a similar experience with Adrafinil about two years ago. I also found the brain fog, but it lasted a lot longer than 4-6 hours, in fact I still have it ;-)...just kidding. I was told that Adrafinil produced the same experience as Provigil so based on my experience with Adrafinil, I wrote off Provigil. I think that it is probably best to try the actual product, try Provigil first and if that works, maybe look at a cheaper substitute. Problem is that Provigil requires a prescription and you really can't trust any sources on the Internet...you are probably best off buying a small sample from a friend who has a prescription and if it works for you, then get a prescription.

#21 Lurker

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Posted 27 April 2008 - 09:14 PM

I had a similar experience with Adrafinil about two years ago. I also found the brain fog, but it lasted a lot longer than 4-6 hours, in fact I still have it ;-)...just kidding. I was told that Adrafinil produced the same experience as Provigil so based on my experience with Adrafinil, I wrote off Provigil. I think that it is probably best to try the actual product, try Provigil first and if that works, maybe look at a cheaper substitute. Problem is that Provigil requires a prescription and you really can't trust any sources on the Internet...you are probably best off buying a small sample from a friend who has a prescription and if it works for you, then get a prescription.


On the Provigil Site, there is a coupon for a free 7 day trial. This is how i took the "sampling" route.

#22 Ghostrider

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Posted 27 April 2008 - 10:12 PM

I had a similar experience with Adrafinil about two years ago. I also found the brain fog, but it lasted a lot longer than 4-6 hours, in fact I still have it ;-)...just kidding. I was told that Adrafinil produced the same experience as Provigil so based on my experience with Adrafinil, I wrote off Provigil. I think that it is probably best to try the actual product, try Provigil first and if that works, maybe look at a cheaper substitute. Problem is that Provigil requires a prescription and you really can't trust any sources on the Internet...you are probably best off buying a small sample from a friend who has a prescription and if it works for you, then get a prescription.


On the Provigil Site, there is a coupon for a free 7 day trial. This is how i took the "sampling" route.


You still need a prescription, right? Then you would have to make an appt. with your doctor and ask for a sample, trick would be convincing your doctor that you need a prescription...some claim that this is not hard to do, I have never tried.

#23 Lurker

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Posted 27 April 2008 - 11:48 PM

You still need a prescription, right? Then you would have to make an appt. with your doctor and ask for a sample, trick would be convincing your doctor that you need a prescription...some claim that this is not hard to do, I have never tried.


Yes, you need a script. It's a controlled/scheduled substance in the USA.

#24 nushu

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Posted 28 April 2008 - 02:13 AM

This stuff is great for me the 1st few hours after taking it (200mg)- motivated to do projects around the house, crystal clear focus/drive, wonderful workout stimulant, sexual stimulant, & more social. BUT, after the initial euphoria I feel a little down. The following day if I don't take another dose the trouble begins, I feel shattered and hung over, basically a wasted day. I've tried taking it everyday and experienced the wrath of endless headaches (one of the listed side effects), they are constant and drag me down, ultimately leading to a nasty migraine. We don't know what the long term side effects of this drug will be, so you have to ask yourself if it's worth it. I'm done with it.

#25 wootwoot

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Posted 28 April 2008 - 06:26 AM

Quick background: 25 year old male, law student, good physical and mental condition, no regular prescribed medications. I tend to go to sleep late and wake up early for class and work. I would say I typically get between 5.5-6.0 hours of sleep nightly. I don't think I have any sleep-related disorders beyond what is probably the natural "afternoon-dip", which itself is never uncontrollable.

I've been taking ephedrine in various formulations for about 7 years now to "get me going" on a level more than caffeine products alone can. Since the ephedra ban, my product of choice has been Bronkaid (2 tablets with coffee or energy drink). I also obtain Adderall (both 'regular' and XR) from my classmates, when they are willing to part with their own supplies. I greatly prefer Adderall to ephedrine/caffeine.

I starting growing tired of feeling somehow indebted to my friends for selling me Adderall so I began the hunt for my own alternative. After reading all the hype regarding provigil, I set out to find a source that didn't include a going to a doctor and paying insane prices for branded Provigil (my insurance plan is a University plan, so needless to say, drug coverage is poor). After searching for sellers and reading forums to decide who was legit and who wasn't, I found a source for reasonably priced Modalert (Sun Pharma), 50 x 200mg tablets. The order arrived surprisingly quick. The blister packs were intact and looked identical (as far as I can tell) to those I've seen on other threads.

The first day, I take a 200mg tablet. After about an hour or so, I can feel 'something', but I wouldn't be able to desribe it. After 30 minutes, I begin to feel like I'm 'drugged', but not in a good way. My ability to be productive has declined. I have a much more difficult time collecting my thoughts than normal. My memory feels poor, as though nothing I'm reading is taking. I generally feel like my mind is in a fog and my overall cognitive ability feels like it has really fallen. I'm scattered and can't maintain focus on anything for even the shortest amount of time. This continues for another 3-4 hours (more or less 4 hours after I swallowed the pill) until the fog starts to lift. Over the next few hours, I slowly return to a condition where I feel I can think clearly.

This is exactly opposite from what I expected, based upon what I had read in the marketing materials, experience reports, forum postings and media accounts.

The next day, right after I wake up, I take another 200mg tablet. Virtually the same negative effects. After 6 hours have passed and "the fog" has lifted signicantly, I take half a tablet (~100mg) and an hour later, I'm back in more-or-less the same fog, diminished mental abilities and all.

The last 2 days I have taken a quarter of tablet in the morning (~50mg) and I barely notice any effect--which is good considering the effects I've experienced thus far have been negative, but bad in relation to my expectations.

I'm at a cross-roads with modalert: keep experimenting with doses to find the "right one" or discontinue use altogether.

If anyone has any thoughts on my experience, I'd like to hear them. Did anyone else have the same experience? Maybe my brain chemistry is such that modafinil "doesn't work". Maybe my expectations were misguided.


I had the same experience as you. I had much better luck with adderall and found it to be superior to modafinil. As far as I am concerned Modafinil is snake oil. If it was as effective as some people claim then it would be used far more than drugs that are considered harsher on your body e.g. ritalin and adderall. Nothing will give you the concentration that adderall will.

#26 Ghostrider

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Posted 29 April 2008 - 07:40 AM

Quick background: 25 year old male, law student, good physical and mental condition, no regular prescribed medications. I tend to go to sleep late and wake up early for class and work. I would say I typically get between 5.5-6.0 hours of sleep nightly. I don't think I have any sleep-related disorders beyond what is probably the natural "afternoon-dip", which itself is never uncontrollable.

I've been taking ephedrine in various formulations for about 7 years now to "get me going" on a level more than caffeine products alone can. Since the ephedra ban, my product of choice has been Bronkaid (2 tablets with coffee or energy drink). I also obtain Adderall (both 'regular' and XR) from my classmates, when they are willing to part with their own supplies. I greatly prefer Adderall to ephedrine/caffeine.

I starting growing tired of feeling somehow indebted to my friends for selling me Adderall so I began the hunt for my own alternative. After reading all the hype regarding provigil, I set out to find a source that didn't include a going to a doctor and paying insane prices for branded Provigil (my insurance plan is a University plan, so needless to say, drug coverage is poor). After searching for sellers and reading forums to decide who was legit and who wasn't, I found a source for reasonably priced Modalert (Sun Pharma), 50 x 200mg tablets. The order arrived surprisingly quick. The blister packs were intact and looked identical (as far as I can tell) to those I've seen on other threads.

The first day, I take a 200mg tablet. After about an hour or so, I can feel 'something', but I wouldn't be able to desribe it. After 30 minutes, I begin to feel like I'm 'drugged', but not in a good way. My ability to be productive has declined. I have a much more difficult time collecting my thoughts than normal. My memory feels poor, as though nothing I'm reading is taking. I generally feel like my mind is in a fog and my overall cognitive ability feels like it has really fallen. I'm scattered and can't maintain focus on anything for even the shortest amount of time. This continues for another 3-4 hours (more or less 4 hours after I swallowed the pill) until the fog starts to lift. Over the next few hours, I slowly return to a condition where I feel I can think clearly.

This is exactly opposite from what I expected, based upon what I had read in the marketing materials, experience reports, forum postings and media accounts.

The next day, right after I wake up, I take another 200mg tablet. Virtually the same negative effects. After 6 hours have passed and "the fog" has lifted signicantly, I take half a tablet (~100mg) and an hour later, I'm back in more-or-less the same fog, diminished mental abilities and all.

The last 2 days I have taken a quarter of tablet in the morning (~50mg) and I barely notice any effect--which is good considering the effects I've experienced thus far have been negative, but bad in relation to my expectations.

I'm at a cross-roads with modalert: keep experimenting with doses to find the "right one" or discontinue use altogether.

If anyone has any thoughts on my experience, I'd like to hear them. Did anyone else have the same experience? Maybe my brain chemistry is such that modafinil "doesn't work". Maybe my expectations were misguided.


I had the same experience as you. I had much better luck with adderall and found it to be superior to modafinil. As far as I am concerned Modafinil is snake oil. If it was as effective as some people claim then it would be used far more than drugs that are considered harsher on your body e.g. ritalin and adderall. Nothing will give you the concentration that adderall will.


I don't know if I would call it snake oil. I have not tried modafinil, but as I mentioned above, Adrafinil certainly kept me up. Although not in a productive way. But that's all it is designed to do, keep people awake. I missed the alert and vigilant part though, it felt more druggy like after having consumed a lot of coffee.

#27 nothingness

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Posted 29 April 2008 - 09:33 AM

Quick background: 25 year old male, law student, good physical and mental condition, no regular prescribed medications. I tend to go to sleep late and wake up early for class and work. I would say I typically get between 5.5-6.0 hours of sleep nightly. I don't think I have any sleep-related disorders beyond what is probably the natural "afternoon-dip", which itself is never uncontrollable.

I've been taking ephedrine in various formulations for about 7 years now to "get me going" on a level more than caffeine products alone can. Since the ephedra ban, my product of choice has been Bronkaid (2 tablets with coffee or energy drink). I also obtain Adderall (both 'regular' and XR) from my classmates, when they are willing to part with their own supplies. I greatly prefer Adderall to ephedrine/caffeine.

I starting growing tired of feeling somehow indebted to my friends for selling me Adderall so I began the hunt for my own alternative. After reading all the hype regarding provigil, I set out to find a source that didn't include a going to a doctor and paying insane prices for branded Provigil (my insurance plan is a University plan, so needless to say, drug coverage is poor). After searching for sellers and reading forums to decide who was legit and who wasn't, I found a source for reasonably priced Modalert (Sun Pharma), 50 x 200mg tablets. The order arrived surprisingly quick. The blister packs were intact and looked identical (as far as I can tell) to those I've seen on other threads.

The first day, I take a 200mg tablet. After about an hour or so, I can feel 'something', but I wouldn't be able to desribe it. After 30 minutes, I begin to feel like I'm 'drugged', but not in a good way. My ability to be productive has declined. I have a much more difficult time collecting my thoughts than normal. My memory feels poor, as though nothing I'm reading is taking. I generally feel like my mind is in a fog and my overall cognitive ability feels like it has really fallen. I'm scattered and can't maintain focus on anything for even the shortest amount of time. This continues for another 3-4 hours (more or less 4 hours after I swallowed the pill) until the fog starts to lift. Over the next few hours, I slowly return to a condition where I feel I can think clearly.

This is exactly opposite from what I expected, based upon what I had read in the marketing materials, experience reports, forum postings and media accounts.

The next day, right after I wake up, I take another 200mg tablet. Virtually the same negative effects. After 6 hours have passed and "the fog" has lifted signicantly, I take half a tablet (~100mg) and an hour later, I'm back in more-or-less the same fog, diminished mental abilities and all.

The last 2 days I have taken a quarter of tablet in the morning (~50mg) and I barely notice any effect--which is good considering the effects I've experienced thus far have been negative, but bad in relation to my expectations.

I'm at a cross-roads with modalert: keep experimenting with doses to find the "right one" or discontinue use altogether.

If anyone has any thoughts on my experience, I'd like to hear them. Did anyone else have the same experience? Maybe my brain chemistry is such that modafinil "doesn't work". Maybe my expectations were misguided.


croc_choda - I have personal experience with both Modalert and Provigil and I can unhesitatingly say that their is a significant difference between the two with respect to efficacy, it is my firm conviction (and many, many others) that Modalert is ineffective and that Provigil is vastly superior when they are directly compared for efficacy. Just exactly what accounts for this difference, and why Modalert is ineffective, I'm not qualified to say because I'm no pharmacological chemist. You will observe many on this forum and other similar forums making dogmatic pronouncements (some of this crowd probably never even took organic chemistry or pharmacology) as to why there exists no difference between Modalert & Provigil in terms of efficacy or chemical structure.

Well, I can't take such individuals into the lab and prove them wrong via sophisticated chemical demonstrations, but there are very good reasons to believe my version as it relates to the ongoing Modalert/Provigil debate - it is also suggested by some (the middle roaders) that the particle sizes are different, or that the two drugs are metabolized differently in the body due to different pharmacokinetic action which produces different effects, but really nobody knows except Cephalon & Sun Pharma Pharmaceuticals so it is really futile to conjecture about why people respond differently to the two compounds, so the reality to highlight here is that people do respond differently to them, or more accurately, people respond to one and not the other.

There exists ample anecdotal reports among other forums that give credence to what I'm claiming here, i.e., that Modalert is almost entirely "inert" regarding all the alleged cognitive enhancing properties ascribed to Modafinil (ok ok it's not entirely inert, it did give me explosive diarrhea). Some have argued that there is very little evidential force inherent in anecdotes (especially the kind found on the internet), I for one challenge this notion, I believe there is great epistemic value to be derived from first person testimony and that it should not be dismissed, and this whether affirming or denying something to be the case (being a law student, I'll be surprised if you disagree). The preponderance of testimonial evidence should be objectively assessed even if it consists solely of unverifiable testimony, this is no less than how historical knowledge is arrived at (of course always being vigilant against the fallacy of ad populum). Therefore, based on my assessment, the evidence overwhelmingly points to one conclusion ---> MODALERT DOES NOT WORK! Now, if someone out there claims to have tried both Modalert & Provigil, and based on extensive experience with both comes to the conclusion that Modalert is superior to Provigil, then I will have nothing more to say about the matter presuming they are being honest, BUT, I have yet to see such a claim, and I doubt I ever will.

So then, my advice to you croc_choda is to obtain a script for Provigil (must be made by Cephalon) from a doc and give it a trial run - I believe you will most likely experience a remarkable difference in efficacy, that is, you will likely experience some of the cognitive enhancing properties that Modafinil is reputed to possess. Also, something to keep in mind, if you do not respond to 200mg then it's ok to titrate up until you do, all the way to 500-600mg a day (just don't dose this high daily due to the long half-life of Modafinil). There exists an abundance of randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled studies that experimentally substantiate the safety and efficacy of these doses (don't let anyone tell you different, PM if you desire additional research because I follow the studies).

Alright, that's enough out of me for right now, but lastly, I wish you nothing but success in academia, I'm there myself right now so I intimately understand how grueling grad school can be, and also how desirable it is to somehow achieve that coveted mental edge - never give up the quest!!

#28 nothingness

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Posted 29 April 2008 - 10:16 AM

This stuff is great for me the 1st few hours after taking it (200mg)- motivated to do projects around the house, crystal clear focus/drive, wonderful workout stimulant, sexual stimulant, & more social. BUT, after the initial euphoria I feel a little down. The following day if I don't take another dose the trouble begins, I feel shattered and hung over, basically a wasted day. I've tried taking it everyday and experienced the wrath of endless headaches (one of the listed side effects), they are constant and drag me down, ultimately leading to a nasty migraine. We don't know what the long term side effects of this drug will be, so you have to ask yourself if it's worth it. I'm done with it.


This is an addendum to what I just posted concerning Modalert/Provigil - it is my conviction that Alertec (out of Canada) and Modiodal (originating in Europe I believe) are legitimate Modafinil and exhibit pharmacological activity comparative to Provigil; this claim I can confidently put forth due to personally conducting internet interviews spanning several years with their users, and I believe the positive reports I received serves to confirm the aforementioned claim (although within a certain range of inductive probability, but that's a story for another time) - if you wish to know if there is a difference between Modalert (from India) and Provigil (US), then consider reading my above post for a completely unbiased perspective :=]

#29 Lurker

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Posted 29 April 2008 - 01:09 PM

Posted Image

This current run from Sun Pharmacys (AD80003), does have affects similar to the 7 day trial of provigil i've tried, and adrafinil. It could just be placebo. I provided an image to atleast give some kind of credit to what I have stated in multiple threads about this.

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#30 croc_choda

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Posted 30 April 2008 - 12:03 AM

Nothingness: I appreciate the well-wishes. Also thank you for your very thoughtful response. I would agree that at least the anecdotal accounts on the internet show some difference between Cephalon Provigil and Sun Modalert.

I guess what struck me the most was how the effects I experienced were almost exactly opposite to what I anticipated. And even as reluctant as I was to purchase pharms produced in India (no disrepect to anyone on the Subcontinent), after doing my due diligence and learning that Sun was a legitimate pharmaceutical manufacturer, I was satisfied that the product I would receive was going to be the genuine article. And despite my disappointment with the effects thus far, I believe it was.

Lurker: I'm gonna take a look at my packaging when I get home later and compare it to the photo you posted. If I can figure it out, I'll post a shot as well.

While I'm thinking about it, my Modalert tablets are a semi-gloss white, round, small bevel (If I can recall), scored on one side, no markings on the other. I'm sure they are, but I have to ask: does that describe yours as well?




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