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Provigil vs Adderall For Narcolepsy: How They Work and Which One to Choose?

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Provigil vs Adderall

You might have noticed sudden sleep attacks in class or at work. They are quite normal until they become frequent and start to happen every day, which makes you unable to complete your daily tasks. This phenomenon is called narcolepsy, which is very common in case of shift workers. These occur when the regular sleep cycle is disrupted for any reason. Provigil and Adderall are two drugs that will help you overcome this situation. But, since you can’t take both of them at once so we will discuss Provigil vs Adderall to help you choose the better fit according to your situation.

Distinguish Between Provigil and Adderall: Doses, Interaction, & Efficiency

Provigil

This is the brand name for Modafinil and is primarily used for the treatment of a wide range of sleeping disorders. Provigil belongs to the group of drugs called stimulants that increase wakefulness. This drug is taken once a day with or without food and water. You have to take Provigil carefully because it is a Schedule IV substance, which can cause addiction and dependency. Before taking this drug, remember to make sure that you are not facing issues like:

  • Kidney disease
  • Allergy
  • Pregnant
  • Mental health conditions
  • Breast-feeding

Adderall

This drug is for the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy. Adderall is formed by combining Amphetamine and Dextroamphetamine salts, which help in reducing restlessness and increasing focus. The tablets of Adderall are always swallowed whole and are never broken or chewed. This drug has a high addiction rate, for which it is placed under the category of a Schedule II drug.

Inform your doctor before taking Adderall if you suffer from any health conditions, like:

  • Heart issues
  • Hypertension
  • Arteriosclerosis
  • Anxiety
  • Glaucoma
  • Epilepsy
  • Hyperthyroidism

What’s The Difference Between Provigil and Adderall?

Under certain circumstances, people might wonder is Provigil and Adderall the same? Although there are certain similarities between these drugs, such as their use, we can’t consider them as one drug completely due to this reason alone. Several other factors are similar in both of them. Let’s discuss them in detail.

The table below will show you several differences between these drugs in brief.

FactorsProvigilAdderall
Schedule classSchedule IVSchedule II
FormulationsOral tabletTablet, Capsules
Onset30 to 60 minutesIR: 30 to 60 minutes
XR: 1.5 to 2 hours
Half-life15 hours23 hours
Addiction riskLower Highest
CostExpensiveCheaper than Provigil
Duration of UseCan be used for longer periodsShorter periods

Doses of Provigil vs Adderall

The doses of these drugs vary according to the disease they are used for. Initially, a low dose is given, which might be increased based on the requirements. Let’s look into the doses of each of the drugs.

Provigil Dose

  • Doctors usually prescribe an initial dose of 200 mg of Provigil, taken orally once a day, for narcolepsy.
  • For the shift work disorder, the initial dose is also 200 mg, which must be taken an hour before the shift.

Adderall Dose

  • The ADHD dose for children aged 3 to 5 years old is 2.5 mg daily, and for 6 years and older is 5 mg once or twice.
  • The initial Narcolepsy dose is 5 mg to 60 mg per day.

Provigil vs Adderall For Narcolepsy

Doctors consider Provigil the best treatment option for disorders like narcolepsy. This is due to the low-potency nature of Adderall, which reduces the risk of dependency and addiction. In certain cases, Provigil is also the first line of treatment for the disorder. Using this drug might also produce fewer side effects, which is also another advantage. Adderall might be the better option for people who have a high tolerance capacity towards potency.

Which Is Better, Provigil Or Adderall For Depression?

Doctors sometimes use Provigil or Adderall as off-label treatments for depression, even though neither medication is specifically made for it. The reason behind this is that both these drugs help in improving the sleep quality, which provides relaxation to the body. Doctors may prescribe Provigil to individuals who require a lower dose and long-term treatment. Adderall is best suitable for patients who are facing severe symptoms and need to recover quickly.

Drug Interaction Of Provigil vs Adderall

There are several drugs which is not safe to mix because their mixture can result in a harmful reaction, which is not good for health. Before taking any drug, your doctor needs to be aware of your ongoing medications so that they can avoid prescribing you the wrong one. Let’s look into the drugs that interact with Provigil and Adderall.

Provigil Interactions

Adderall Interactions

  • Prozac
  • Effexor
  • Tramadol
  • Sudafed
  • Phentermine
  • Caffeine
  • Zoloft
  • Cymbalta
  • Amitriptyline
  • Tramadol
  • Vyvanse

Street Names of Provigil vs Adderall

Sometimes, the actual names of the drugs are changed to other names by individuals who sell them illegally. This happens mostly in cases where the drug is not allowed to be sold or bought without a license. This helps both the sellers and buyers to do their work illegally without the fear of being caught. Let’s see what street names are used for Provogil and Adderall.

Provigil

  • Smart drug

Adderall

  • Addys
  • Amps

Can You Take Provigil and Adderall Together?

Taking Provigil and Adderall together is not advised by the doctor because the mixture will result in an interaction between the two substances, which is harmful. If required, the doctor might combine both the drugs in very low doses, which must be taken for not more than seven days. Various types of health risks occur due to Provigil and Adderall combination, such as:

  • Cardiovascular problems
  • Enhancement of mental health issues
  • Seizures
  • Insomnia
  • Allergies
  • Severe sedation

Side Effects

Individuals who take Provigil or Adderall may experience various side effects. These can either be mild or severe and may also vary between individuals. Let’s see those effects.

Common side effects noticed in Provigil and Adderall are:

  • Nausea
  • Diziness
  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • Back pain
  • Insomnia
  • Nervousness
  • Indigestion
  • Stomach pain
  • Weight loss
  • Rash

Conclusion

We hope that most of your queries have been solved in this blog, and now you have a clear picture of how both Provigil and Adderall differ. You can be more careful in the future if you have to choose between the drugs in the future. The most important thing of all is to consult your healthcare provider before taking any steps to avoid making mistakes. Follow their instructions carefully and follow all their steps to become healthy soon.

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