It is true that we all crave a good nighttime sleep. But that is something we often are unable to afford. It can be because of our work responsibilities, academic or other demands, social or entertainment reasons, etc. It can also be due to various sleeping disorders. Whatever may be the reason, lack of proper sleep leaves our body and mind restless. So, how long should we sleep every night? On an average, an adult should get a sleep for about 7-9 hours every night. But, unfortunately, about 1/3rd of the people in the U.S. have reported of getting fewer than 7 hours sleep a night. Lack of sleep can make us unable to concentrate and as a result, we become less and less productive. You should sleep and wake up at a fixed time every day, even on the weekends. This will help you get a good sleep. Practice yoga as it will help you leave your stress behind. Never bring your office responsibilities to your home. Eat healthy food and drink plenty of water. Include fruits in your diet. Gradually but effectively these changes in your lifestyle will bring tremendous change in you and your life. Smart pills, most of you might have heard of, also help those who are sleep deprived. These medications help in keeping a person awake, alert and active throughout the day. Modafinil is one such smart drug that helps people overcome their sleepiness and tiredness quite effectively. Let us know about it in detail. Modafinil (Provigil) helps in reducing extreme sleepiness caused by narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea and shift work sleep apnea for which it has been approved by FDA. It does not cure the sleeping disorders and may not get rid of all your sleepiness. This medication should not be used to treat tiredness or to hold off sleep individuals who do not suffer from sleep disorders. HOW TO CONSUME IT? Remember to always consult a doctor before taking any medicine. Your doctor can prescribe you the right dose according to your medical condition and your response to treatment. Below given are some general guidelines for consumption of Modafinil: • You can take this oral medication with or without food. • Narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea patients can take this medication once daily in the morning as prescribed by their doctor. • Those who work in night shifts can take this medication one hour prior to the start of the work shift. Those working in rotational shifts should take this medicine as prescribed their doctor. • You may experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop using this medication suddenly. They are more likely to occur especially if you have been taking it in high doses or for a longer time. These symptoms include shaking, sweating, chills, nausea, vomiting, confusion etc. Seek immediate medical help when you notice these symptoms. • Do not consume this medication with alcohol as it can lead to some unwanted long-term side effects. Moreover, Modafinil may cause addiction especially if you have a substance use disorder (addiction to drugs or alcohol). IMPORTANT POINTS • Keep a list of all the drugs that you are using (prescribed, non-prescribed or herbal products) and show it to the doctor before consuming Modafinil. This will help in making sure that the medications that you are currently on safely interact with Modafinil. • Before consuming this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to Modafinil; or to Armodafinil or if you have any other allergies. There could be some inactive ingredients in this product which may later cause allergic reactions. • Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat. • Avoid driving and such activities that require you to be mentally alert at least until you know how this medication is affecting you. It may impair or weaken your thinking ability and reactions. Consult with a doctor if so happens. WHO SHOULD NOT CONSUME IT? • If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, avoid taking this medication unless your doctor so prescribes. There could be a potential risk to your unborn baby about which you should properly discuss with your doctor. • If you are a breastfeeding mother, consult with a doctor about the risks of taking Modafinil. It is not known whether it will pass into the breast milk. Consult with your doctor before breastfeeding. • Children under the age of 17 years should not receive this medication. SIDE EFFECTS A headache, nervousness, dizziness, nausea, insomnia etc may occur when you are taking this medication. If any of these persist or worsen, consult your doctor immediately. Tell your doctor if you experience any serious side effects such as fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, mental/mood changes (agitation, depression, hallucinations, confusion, rare thoughts of suicide) etc. An occurrence of a serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. It includes swollen lymph nodes, rash, itching/swelling (especially of face, tongue or throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice any of these, get immediate medical help.
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