In Australia modafinil and armodafinil are available by prescription for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness in people with narcolepsy. To access the medication you will need to meet a number of criteria.

The Mayer 2015 study was a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial of modafinil. The outcomes included ESS, MWT, participant-reported exhaustion on a 4-point scale each evening, and nocturnal polysomnography.

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that causes extreme daytime sleepiness, even when you get enough sleep at night. It can be difficult to concentrate and may lead to memory lapses. Sometimes you fall into brief naps at inconvenient times, such as when driving or working. You may also experience a sudden loss of muscle tone (cataplexy) that can range from mild weakness in the knees to complete collapse, often triggered by strong emotions like surprise or anger.

Medications for narcolepsy can help improve your symptoms, but they are not cures. The most effective medication is modafinil 200mg australia (Provigil in the US). It is a wakefulness-promoting drug that works differently to other drugs, which work by increasing levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine. It is less likely to cause side effects like over-stimulation or cardiovascular problems than other drugs used to treat narcolepsy.

Modafinil has been shown to improve alertness and reduce symptoms of narcolepsy in large-scale double-blind placebo-controlled studies. It also improves sleep latency in the MSLT and on the MWT, and reduces patient-reported sleepiness in the ESS and KSS. It is not known how it does this. It is related to amphetamines, but has fewer adverse effects. It also does not interact with birth control pills as much as some other wake-promoting medications. Most people who trial modafinil find it very helpful to manage their narcolepsy.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Excessive daytime sleepiness can be caused by obstructive sleep apnea or by not getting enough rest at night. Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which the throat muscles relax or collapse during sleep, narrowing the airway and reducing the space needed for breathing. This can occur hundreds of times per night and leads to decreased oxygen levels, snoring and fragmented or non-refreshing sleep. Obstructive sleep apnea can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, dementia and heart failure. People who have obstructive sleep apnea often feel excessively tired during the day, have difficulty concentrating and may be more irritable. They may be unable to work, drive or do other tasks that require attention and concentration.

Modafinil (Modawake 200 mg) is a wake-promoting drug that has been shown to improve wakefulness in patients with narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSA). In double-blind, placebo controlled studies, modafinil significantly improved subjective sleepiness in untreated patients with mild to moderate OSA (ESS >= 10), and improvement in the ability to maintain wakefulness was also observed in patients treated with CPAP. In addition, improvements in objective sleepiness and vigilance measured by the MSLT and MWT were maintained in long-term open-label extensions of the OSA clinical trials.

In a 12-week, placebo-controlled study in SWD patients, modafinil significantly reduced mean sleep latency on the MSLT and the ability to stay awake during the MWT. In addition, diary data showed that modafinil significantly reduced the maximum level of SWD and the level of sleepiness on the commute home.

Shift Work Disorder

Shift work affects many different occupations including police officers, doctors, nurses, firefighters, factory workers and even office cleaning staff. Working irregular shifts can disrupt the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle. This can lead to a lack of high-quality sleep and increase the risk for a number of medical conditions.

Those who work night shifts or early morning shifts are particularly at risk for developing sleep disorders. In the long term, this can lead to impaired performance at work and a higher risk for mental health issues such as depression. Shift work can also interfere with your family life and cause stress, fatigue and mood swings.

A diagnosis of shift work disorder (SWSD) is made based on a person reporting symptoms for at least three months and evidence from actigraphy or sleep diaries that their sleep patterns are disturbed. A doctor may perform additional tests to make sure the person doesn’t have another underlying illness that is contributing to their symptoms.

The first step in treatment for SWSD is changing to a schedule that aligns with the body’s circadian rhythms. General lifestyle changes such as avoiding caffeine close to bedtime and keeping the bedroom dark can help with this. If this doesn’t improve the situation, doctors can prescribe medications to help people stay alert during their shifts and sleep when they have the opportunity. These medications can include stimulants like Nuvigil and Provigil.

Off-Label Use

Modafinil is prescribed to improve wakefulness in people with excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy. However, it is also often used off-label to increase focus and enhance memory and learning in healthy people. It is reported to be an effective treatment for a range of conditions including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder. Some studies suggest that it may also be an effective treatment for depression. Prolonged or high dose use can result in psychological or physical dependence.

There is a growing trend of students purchasing Modafinil off-label online for purposes other than treating narcolepsy or sleep apnea. It is reported to be commonly taken by students in university settings as a cognitive enhancer and to boost performance.

This has been facilitated by the availability of low-cost, reliable, and discreet shipping services that offer fast delivery to Australia. This has led to the proliferation of surface web retailers that advertise modafinil for sale to Australian customers.

In Australia, modafinil is a schedule 4 prescription only medicine and it is illegal to import, sell, or possess without a health professional’s prescription. The Australian Border Force is authorised to intercept and seize medicines that are imported for unprescribed use. Despite this, many people continue to purchase modafinil from overseas vendors using websites that appear professional and consumer friendly.