How Long Does Modafinil Take to Kick In?

If you have recently been diagnosed with any type of debilitating sleep disorder, then you are most likely already working with your doctor and looking into several medicinal solutions that might help you cope with these issues.

As such, it is important to find out everything you can about all of the solutions you may come across. One such solution is Modafinil, a name you are more than likely to become familiar with in due time.

You may already be well-acquainted with Modafinil if you have ever suffered from obstructive sleep apnea or any other complications resulting from sleep disorders such as narcolepsy. Many Modafinil users have cited the drug’s effectiveness, but it is not enough to make up your mind based on second-hand accounts alone.

In this article, we hope to provide you with everything you need to know about the use of Modafinil – specifically, the recommended dosages, possible side effects, duration, and effectiveness.

What Is Modafinil?

Modafinil is a controlled substance that belongs to a broad group of prescription medications known as stimulants. It usually comes in tablet form – about 100mg to 200mg per pill – and is used to treat excessive sleepiness and symptoms associated with narcolepsy and other sleep disorders.

Studies have shown that Modafinil increases a user’s ability to not only stay awake but also to better retain their focus in comparison to users who were given placebo tablets. As such, Modafinil is often the first choice of doctors with narcoleptic patients.

What is the Recommended Dosage?

The recommended dosage for Modafinil depends on three primary factors:

• The type and severity of the patient’s sleep-related condition
• The age of the patient
• Any other physical or health-related issues the patient may have

Typically, a doctor will prescribe a low dosage for their patient and then incrementally increase the dosage until they find one that works. They will always attempt to prescribe the lowest dosage possible that still produces the desired results.

Dosage For Sleep Apnea and Narcolepsy

Keep in mind that these are generic dosages and may not apply to you, even if you suffer from these same conditions.

For patients who suffer from daytime sleepiness and other symptoms associated with narcolepsy and sleep apnea, doctors will generally recommend a dosage of 200mg per day. However, in severe cases, this dosage may be increased to up to 400mg per day.

Dosage for Shift Work Sleep Disorder

As with the dosages associated with narcolepsy and sleep apnea, for those who suffer from sleepiness as a result of shift work sleep disorder, 200mg is the typical recommended dosage.

Dosage for Seniors

Seniors who use Modafinil are more prone to the drug’s effects – both positive and negative. As such, if a patient is over 65 years of age, their doctor will generally recommend an even lower dosage, even if they suffer from any of the aforementioned conditions.

Modafinil Side Effects

As is the case with many forms of medication, especially stimulants, the use of Modafinil comes with its own set of possible side effects that can affect the user in both the long term and short term.

Short-Term Side Effects

These are the most common side effects associated with the use of Modafinil:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Anxiety and increased nervousness
• Trouble getting to sleep
• Dizziness
• Upset stomach
• Back and chest pains

Long-Term Side Effects

Many of the long-term physical and psychological effects of Modafinil use are common among other drug dependencies. These are more likely to occur when the drug is misused and abused.

However, the abuse of Modafinil is rare. It is more likely to occur with patients who have a history of drug and alcohol abuse.

Additionally, there have been very few documented incidents of patients who suffer from withdrawal after stopping Modafinil treatment.

How Long Does Modafinil Take to Kick In?

As with many prescription medications, the exact effectiveness and the time it takes for the effects to be felt varies from patient to patient. Some users will experience the effects of Modafinil within as little time as 30 minutes. Generally, however, the effects of Modafinil will be noticeable after about an hour or so.

There are numerous factors that influence how quickly the drug works. These include broad factors, such as the patient’s age, their overall health condition, and the specific disorder that is being treated. More specific factors include the patient’s weight, as Modafinil will affect overweight patients far slower.

Food can also influence the amount of time it takes for Modafinil to work. Ingesting both food and Modafinil in quick succession can cause the drug to take effect much more slowly, while an empty stomach typically means its effects will be more prevalent sooner. However, taking Modafinil without having eaten recently (within the past hour or so) can cause stomach irritation. As such, it is recommended to have a light snack before taking Modafinil.

Uses For Modafinil

Modafinil is prescribed as a medication to patients who suffer from sleep disorders and their various symptoms, but there have been many accounts of other, unapproved uses.

Approved Uses Of Modafinil

Modafinil is used to treat any of the following:

• Narcolepsy
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Shift work sleep disorder

Unapproved Uses Of Modafinil

Modafinil has occasionally been misused to treat other conditions, as well, including the following:

• ADHD
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Obesity
• Multiple Sclerosis

While some users have cited the drug’s effectiveness in treating these disorders, it has never been approved and should not be done. Consider taking another form of medication if you suffer from any of the aforementioned conditions.

Conclusion

As we have already said, Modafinil is the go-to medication for many people who suffer from narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea, among other conditions. There is a good reason for that, as the drug has been proven to greatly improve a patient’s ability to stay awake and further enhance their attention span. However, as with all prescription drugs, it should never be abused, even if the dependency rates are exceptionally low.