Provigil: FDA Approved Stimulant to Treat Extreme Sleepiness

Each day, millions of men and women suffer from a sleep disorder completely in contrast to what we typically think of as a sleep disorder. Known as a persistent sleepiness, I am an individual who suffers from such complications, often requiring in excess of 12 hours of sleep per day. Commonly attributed to the conditions such as narcolepsy or sleep apnea, excessive and persistent sleepiness can result in embarrassment and frustration in both men and women who suffer from this chronic sleep disorder.

In an effort to remedy the complications associated with persistent sleepiness, Cephalon has released an FDA approved drug, Provigil, to aide excessively sleepy sufferers in regaining control over the irregular sleep patters of their day, providing a restoration to a somewhat normal, active and healthy life. For patients who suffer from excessive and persistent sleepiness, appropriate evaluation by a sleep study center may be necessary to first confirm the exact cause and origin of the sleep disorder complication. When the sleepiness is simply attributed to abnormal work schedules, narcolepsy or sleep apnea, Provigil is becoming a more commonly used prescription drug among sleep disorder sufferers.

As a convenient, once-per-day dosing formula, Provigil, in the treatment of sleep disorders resulting in excessive sleepiness, is provided in 200 milligrams but dosing can be as high as 400 milligrams per day. For patients who suffer from persistent sleepiness, dosing is given in the morning unless the need for stimulant is before an unusual work schedule in which dosing would need to occur an hour before beginning the shift.