Modafinil: Risks and Safety Information

Gone are the days of excessive dependence on coffee and carbonated energy drinks. In today’s age of smart research in the field of medical science, the motive is to fulfill the need to provide a clinical solution for a simple brain boost. This is why smart drugs like Modafinil have been discovered. These medications have been around for quite some time now, but many of its users are missing out on the effective and safe use of these smart pills.

Note that these are oral prescription medications and not mere supplements which you can avail freely in Target and GNC’s of the world. These are available in only registered medical stores from where you can avail them with a prior approval from a doctor.

Due to this feature of clinical approval, smart drugs are considered to be safer and more efficient as compared to various brain boosting supplements available in the market.

Let us find out how safe is the smart drug Modafinil.

What is Modafinil all about?

Modafinil is a wake-promoting agent which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the year 1998. It helps in the treatment of sleep disorders like narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work-related disorders. 

By altering the actions of certain neurotransmitters like dopamine, it can help promote wakefulness and energy. It basically helps inhibit the reuptake of dopamine into the nerves and increase its availability in the brain.

This medication is also prescribed for improving the cognitive functions of the brain. As this smart pill helps in ensuring the availability of extracellular dopamine, it can enable one to feel more active and focused at work. It also has certain mood elevating effects that can help one to fight off work related pressure and anxiety. The direct outcome of this is improved performance at work that leads to increased productivity.

You can also avail Modafinil online from any medical pharmacy of your choice after getting an approval from your doctor first for the use of smart drugs.

But due to many of its amazing benefits, people are getting drawn to its unsafe and recreational uses.

Risk of Modafinil drug abuse: 

In a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, it was found that the off-label prescription of Modafinil grew 15 times over a seven-year period. In fact, around 89% of the patients prescribed with this smart pill, did not even undergo any diagnoses.

The drug itself is a safe medication as it is clinically approved for the task of elevating brain health. But the risk of its misuse by people, who overdose on it or use it for an extended period, can be health-threatening.

Since this medication can trigger the release of dopamine which is otherwise related to pleasure and addiction, it is risky if one overdoses on it. It can also lead to withdrawal symptoms if your body grows increasingly tolerant and dependent on it.

Certain withdrawal symptoms include- hallucination, anxiety, depression, difficulty breathing, irregular sleep and even seizures.

So, instead of abrupt withdrawal, it is always advisable to withdraw from this medication gradually before you stop it completely.

Precautions one should take:

•    Make sure to follow your doctor’s prescribed instructions carefully regarding its dose. If you are less tolerant, it is better to start with a lower dose. Also, you should use this medication only for a prescribed period of time. Do not overdose on the medication.

•    If you are suffering from any other health condition associated with cardiovascular, hepatic, neuronal, metabolic or renal disorders, then you must inform your doctor about the same before taking Modafinil.

•    Drugs interact with other drugs, So, it is always advisable to let the doctor know if you are taking other medications at the same time.

•    Pregnant and lactating women should avoid taking Modafinil or other smart drugs so as to avoid the health-risks to the baby.

•    You should not take alcohol or other such depressants while taking this medication as it can dull the effects of the drug.

•    Also, keep this medication away from children and young adults under the age of 18 years as it is not meant for them.