Modafinil is a wake-promoting central nervous system drug. It has been shown to reduce sleepiness in shift workers. In some trials, it has also improved cognitive performance and mood.
Modafinil 200mg Australia is taken orally, usually once a day 1 hour before the start of the night shift. It may interact with some other medications.
Take Modafinil Early in the Morning
Modafinil is a wakefulness-promoting drug, which means it acts on the brain to help you feel more alert and awake. It has fewer side effects than other stimulants, including the risk of addiction and psychosis. It can also enhance cognitive responses and brighten your mood. These effects are useful for people who need to stay awake late, such as medical personnel working on night shifts or soldiers on the battlefield.
Precisely how this medicine works is not known. However, it is believed that modafinil inhibits dopamine reuptake increases cerebral catecholamines, and decreases GABA, resulting in wakefulness. It may also increase levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain, causing positive mood changes.
Studies have shown that performance and mood are disrupted during night shifts. Modafinil can attenuate these disruptions, demonstrating its effectiveness as a treatment for shift work sleep disorder. In addition, it has the added benefit of improving mood in a way that does not produce negative side effects.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once a day about 1 hour before you start your work shift. Do not take this medicine at bedtime or at other times when you are trying to sleep, since it can cause insomnia. This medicine can decrease your sleepiness, but it will not cure narcolepsy or shift work sleep disorder. Continue to follow your doctor’s advice about good sleeping habits and use any breathing devices or other treatments your doctor has prescribed for you.
Take Modafinil at the Same Time Every Day
Taking modafinil at the same time every day can help you avoid sleepiness and improve your performance. It also helps you stay awake when you are working a night shift. This is especially important if you are a medical professional who regularly works nights.
Modalert 200mg Tablet is used to treat excessive sleepiness caused by narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS; difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep during scheduled waking hours and intermittent episodes of cessation of breathing during sleep) in patients with these disorders. It can be taken alone or in combination with other medications, such as sleeping devices or weight loss pills.
The study showed that modafinil reduced performance and mood disruptions in research participants who were subjected to abrupt changes to their work schedules. It improved cognitive/psychomotor performance on several measures, including the number of false alarms on the DAT and the digit recall task, as well as improved mood ratings during night shifts.
The results are consistent with data from this lab showing that modafinil attenuates night shift impairments in the same way that methamphetamine does (Hart et al, 2003a). It works by binding to and inhibiting dopamine transporter reuptake in the brain, thus raising cerebral catecholamines and lowering GABA. Keep this medication out of the reach of children, and do not share it with others. Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to refill your prescription before you run out of tablets.
Avoid Caffeine
If you’re working the night shift, avoiding caffeine can help prevent sleep disruption when it is time to head home. If you plan to drink coffee or tea at the end of your shift, stop doing so about four to eight hours before bedtime. Likewise, limit alcohol intake, as it can also interfere with sleep.
Avoid sugary snacks and fatty meals, which can cause indigestion and sluggishness that contribute to feelings of tiredness. Rather, eat nutritious foods like hummus and fresh vegetables, tuna salad, whole-grain bread, and low-fat yogurt or cheese. These foods are easy to digest, provide adequate energy, and will not leave you feeling bloated or sluggish when it is time to go to bed.
Having a good sleep routine is essential when working the night shift, whether you choose to nap or not. Developing a consistent schedule will help your body adjust to the new rhythm and improve your ability to focus and make wise decisions throughout the night. Try sleeping from 6 a.m. to noon before starting your shift and then sleeping from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Modafinil has emerged as the crown prince of smart drugs, those powerful pharmaceutical friends that promise enhanced memory and an unrelenting ability to focus for hours on end. But while many students and professionals use modafinil on occasion, they are careful not to overuse it, or take multiple doses at a time. Unlike stimulants such as amphetamines (Adderall) and methylphenidate (Ritalin), modafinil has minimal side effects, no psychotic symptoms, and little abuse or addiction potential.
Avoid Alcohol
People who work night shifts are often at risk for alcohol addiction. It’s important to be hyper-aware of the risks and take precautions to prevent a dangerous habit from developing.
Modafinil works by binding to the dopamine transporter and inhibiting its reuptake. This causes an increase in cerebral catecholamines and a decrease in GABA, which results in wakefulness. Unlike other stimulants, such as amphetamines and methylphenidate (Ritalin), modafinil doesn’t induce the shakiness, feelings of anxiety, or frequent trips to the bathroom that they do.
In addition to taking modafinil, there are other things you can do to stay awake during a night shift. Eat small, frequent meals throughout your shift, and avoid fatty foods. This helps maintain a regular metabolic rhythm and prevents stomach problems. Drink plenty of water. This is particularly important because dehydration can affect alertness and short-term memory.
Try to eat at the same times every day, even on days off. This establishes regular time cues for your body clock and makes it easier to fall asleep when you get home from your night shift. It is also a good idea to avoid alcohol before bed since it diminishes sleep quality by interrupting the natural REM cycle and may leave you feeling unrefreshed when you wake up.
