Modafinil (Oral Route)

Mayo Clinic Health Manager

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Proper Use

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. If too much is taken, it may become habit-forming.

This medicine does not take the place of getting enough sleep. It should not be used for occasional sleepiness that has not been diagnosed as narcolepsy, sleep apnea, or shift work sleep problems. Ask your doctor for advice about good sleep habits .

If you have sleep apnea and use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine at night, continue using this machine with the medicine .

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    • For narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome:
      • Adults—200 milligrams (mg) once a day in the morning.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
    • For shift work sleep disorder:
      • Adults—200 milligrams (mg) one hour before you begin working.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

If you miss a dose of modafinil and you remember it before 12:00 noon the same day, take the missed dose as soon as possible.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions Before Using

DR600945

Portions of this document last updated:

Nov. 1, 2009

Source: Drug Information provided by: Micromedex

Copyright © 2010 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.


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