Generic Provigil

Common use

Provigil it is used to improve wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness caused by narcolepsy, sleep apnea, or shift work sleep disorder. The Provigil effects are similar to caffeine. The mechanism of their work consists in promotion of wakefulness by stimulating the brain via affecting neurotransmitters.



Dosage and direction

Take this medication exactly as prescribed. Treatment usually continues for twelve weeks or less. Provigil is usually given in mornings to prevent daytime sleepiness. You may also take it one hour before the start of a work shift if you are treated for shift work sleep disorder. Provigil may be used together with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, the mechanism which helps people with obstructive sleep apnea to pump pressurized air into the nose while sleeping.



Precautions

Notify your doctor if you suffer from angina (chest pain), a heart problem, liver or kidney disease, cirrhosis, a heart muscle or valve disorder (mitral valve prolapse), drug addiction in history, if you are treated by blood pressure medication, or if you have recently had a heart attack. This medication may affect thinking reactions, be cautious while driving, operating machinery or performing any potentially hazardous activities. If you experience any kind of skin rush inform your doctor about it immediately. This may be a sign of a serious condition which may require hospitalization. The symptom usually occurs within 1 to 5 weeks after the first dose. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding or pregnant.



Contraindication

This medication is contraindicated in the patients with allergy to modafinil or armodafanil (Nuvigil).



Possible side effects

Besides allergic reaction such as hives, rash, facial swelling and difficulty breathing the following adverse reactions may occur vomiting with a severe blistering, fever, sore throat, headache, peeling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness, bruising, severe tingling, white sores on the mouth or lips, easy bruising or bleeding, unusual thoughts or behavior, hallucinations, anxiety, depression, uneven heart beats, chest pain. Inform your doctor immediately if theses symptoms aggravate and become bothersome.



Drug interaction

Methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine may decrease absorption of Provigil. Provigil is able to increase blood levels of clomipramine. Effectiveness of Provigil may be diminished by cyclosporine (Sandimmune), theophylline, and hormonal contraceptives. Inform your doctor about all prescribed and over-the-counter medications and herbal products you are using and especially about propranolol (Inderal), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater), midazolam (Versed), diazepam (Valium), or triazolam (Halcion), itraconazole (Sporanox) or ketoconazole (Nizoral), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil, Janimine), amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), nortriptyline (Pamelor), phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton), carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), MAO inhibitors rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil).



Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember unless you do not plan to stay awake for several hours. Return to your regular scheme. Do not take the drug if it is almost your bedtime. Do take more than one dose of this medication at once.



Overdose

Overdose symptoms include confusion, trouble sleeping, feeling excited or agitated, nausea, or diarrhea. Contact your doctor immediately if you suspect overdose.



Storage

Store Provigil at room temperature, between 59-86 F (15-30 C) in a tight dark container. Save from heat, moisture, and sunlight.



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.

Clinical Verification

Last Clinically Updated: August 15, 2026

Written By

Dr. Elena Vance, PharmD

Clinical Specialist in Neuropharmacology

Fact Checked By

Marcus Thorne, MS

Biomedical Data & FDA Label Verification

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Arthur Campbell, MD

Board-Certified Psychiatrist (ABPN)