If you are having difficulty staying alert or wakeful throughout the day, you may be suffering from disorders like narcolepsy. Such sleep-related disorders are becoming more and more common these days, with almost 50 million people in just the USA suffering from them. People often seek professional guidance for the treatment of such conditions. A healthcare expert might suggest lifestyle changes along with medicines to aid his/her patients. Two such medication drugs are Modalert and modafinil. This blog provides you with a comparison of Modalert Vs Modafinil.
So, let’s start the blog!
Comparison: Modalert Vs Modafinil
What is Modafinil?
Modafinil is a generic drug that belongs to the class of drugs called Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulants. It is a prescription-only medicine and is also a Schedule IV controlled substance under the CSA. This medication is used in the treatment of sleep-related disorders such as narcolepsy, sleep work disorder, and sleep apnea.
What is Modalert?
Modalert is a branded version of the generic drug modafinil. It is also a CNS stimulant, which can only be purchased with a prescription. This medication drug is used to promote wakefulness and alertness in patients. Modalert is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), for the treatment of daytime sleepiness.
Uses of Modalert and Modafinil:
Both of these medication drugs are used to treat the following conditions:
Narcolepsy:
A person suffering from narcolepsy feels sudden urges to fall asleep during the day. These urges are disturbing and often irresistible. Narcolepsy has symptoms such as excessive daytime sleep, muscle weakness, hallucinations, and sleep paralysis. In a nutshell, narcolepsy is a condition where the brain loses control over the sleep-wake cycle.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea is a condition where a person, involuntarily, stops breathing while sleeping. Obstructive sleep apnea or the OSA is the most common type. In OSA, the muscles and tissues around a person’s throat relax and, hence, expand. This results in the air pathway getting blocked, which prohibits breathing.
Shift Work Disorder
Shift work disorder is a complication that affects the circadian rhythm of a person. It is generally seen in people who work in night shifts or in rotating shifts. This disorder can lead to conditions like tiredness while awake and difficulty in falling asleep.
Also, Modafinil is used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) in both children and adults and bipolar disorder as off-label use. It helps an individual to give attention to any work.
Forms: Modalert vs Modafinil
In this section, we will learn about the available forms of Modalert and Modafinil.
Modalert:
Modalert oral tablets are available in the strengths of 100 mg, 200 mg, and 400 mg.
Modafinil:
Modafinil is available in the branded medicine Provigil in the form of oral tablets. The strengths of these tablets are 100 mg and 200 mg.
Dosages of Modalert and Modafinil:
The dosage strengths that are mentioned in this section are initial doses only. These may be altered by the healthcare provider to reach an optimum result. The following doses are for adults:
Modalert:
The initial prescribed dose of Modalert in the treatment for narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and shift work disorder is 200 mg per day.
Modafinil:
The recommended dosage of modafinil for treating sleep apnea, shift work disorder, and narcolepsy is also 200 mg per day.
Side Effects of Modafinil and Modalert:
Similarly to all medication drugs, modafinil and Modalert are also prone to showing side effects. Some common ones are listed below:
- Faintness
- Blocked nose
- Excessive worrying
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
- Hallucination
- Shortness of breath
- If you are having an allergic reaction after using these medication drugs, consult your doctor immediately.
Key Differences: Modalert vs Modafinil
- The main difference between the medicines is that modafinil is the generic form, while Modalert is a branded variant.
- Modafinil is manufactured in the USA, while Modalert is manufactured in India.
- In the USA, Modalert is more expensive than modafinil and some of its other branded variants.
Precautions of Both Medications:
- Modafinil and Modalert are Schedule 4 drugs, meaning their potential for abuse is lower than certain other drugs. But, they still can be abused.
- The tablets of both these drugs should be stored in a container that is placed away from heat, direct light, and moisture.
- Do not keep leftover or expired medicines. Consult your doctor regarding the disposing of these medicines.
- If you miss a dose of modafinil or Modalert, skip it and wait for the next dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.
- Consumption of alcohol should be reduced while a patient is in the treatment course of these medicines.
- Do not take any other medication drugs while you are using these drugs without consulting your doctor.
Conclusion:
Many people are suffering from sleep-related disorders, which can strongly impact the daily lives of such individuals. For the treatment of such conditions, certain medication drugs are prescribed by doctors. Two such medicines are Modalert and Modafinil.
In conclusion, both of these medications work by promoting the feelings of alertness and wakefulness. This keeps the users from falling asleep or getting tired. These are similar drugs, hence they share some properties with each other.
