Side effects and watch-outs
- Headache
- Decreased appetite
- Insomnia if taken too late
- Nausea
- Anxiety at higher doses
- Rare: serious skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson)
- Interactions with hormonal contraceptives
Medication / Wakefulness
Modafinil (Provigil)
Wakefulness-promoting agent. Mechanism not fully understood — affects dopamine, norepinephrine, histamine, and orexin systems. FDA-approved for narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder. Widely used off-label for cognitive enhancement, productivity, and fatigue resistance.
Educational reference only. This page does not diagnose, prescribe, or replace care from a licensed professional. Laws, availability, and clinical appropriateness vary by location.