Provigil is a prescription medication that is known by many trade names such as Modafinil, Alertec, Modavigil, Modalert, Modiodal, Modafinilo, Carim, and Vigia. Provigil is what is known as an analeptic drug. Provigil has been approved by the United Stated Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, and day time sleepiness that is caused by sleep apnea. In other markets it has only been approved for the treatment of narcolepsy.

The United States Food and Drug Administration has approved Provigil for many different purposes, but it is also used to treat other conditions off label. Off label treatments are those that are not considered approved by the FDA but are generally deemed to be safe. Provigil is often prescribed off label for the treatment of seasonal affect disorder which is also known as SAD, and may also be used as a doping agent for athletes. As a result, Provigil is on the prohibited list via the World Anti-Doping Agency, which means that athletes cannot test positive for its use. It is a medication that has been banned for athletes since 2004.

In addition to seasonal affect disorder, Provigil may also be used off label to treat the symptoms associated with Multiple sclerosis. Additionally, doctors will prescribe Provigil for the treatment of spastic cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, opiod induced sleepiness, myotonic dystrophy, chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as fibromyalgia.

Provigil is a very effective prescription medication, but it is not without its adverse side effects. These may include insomnia, agitation, anxiety, aggressiveness, confusion, tremor, sleep disturbance, nausea, and diarrhea. Not all patients will experience some or all of these side effects, and those who do usually find that they are self limiting and not severe enough to stop taking the medication as prescribed.