Modacare 200 mg Tablets

Modacare 200 mg is a generic variation of Modafinil 200 mg prescribed in the treatment of certain sleep disorders such as narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea & shift work sleep disorder. It contains Modafinil, an active FDA approved ingredient used to induce wakefulness in people work. People work in night shift, when they drive or students can use this medicine if they are with sleep disturbance.

 

 

 

What is Modacare 200 mg?

Modacare 200 mg (generic Modafinil 200) is a wakefulness promoting medicine prescribed to promote wakefulness in people with daytime sleepiness due to narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea & shift work sleep disorder. It promotes wakefulness by acting on certain neurotransmitters in the brain. The active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) present in Modacare 200 mg is modafinil. Modafinil comes under the category of “stimulants.” It stimulates the Central Nervous System (CNS) to make the person consuming it more alert and awake.

Modafinil is a white, crystalline powder that is not soluble in water. Hence, it is only available in the form of oral tablets. The FDA approved it in 1998 for the treatment of narcolepsy. Obstructive sleep apnea and shift work sleep disorder were later approved. 

What are The Uses of Modacare 200 mg Tablets?

Modacare 200mg is an on-label medicine for the following disorders:

Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy is a disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness, resulting in a loss of productivity. Apart from this, a narcoleptic patient suffers from drowsiness, cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations. It is unknown what exactly causes narcolepsy. However, according to research, the neurotransmitter hypocreatin-1 is found at low levels in narcoleptic patients. Hypocreatin-1 is responsible for wakefulness. 

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

OSA affects the breathing of a person while they sleep. The breathing stops for at least 10 seconds and then resumes. This occurs as the muscles supporting the soft tissue collapse and block the throat airways. As a result, the patient wakes up gasping for air. Other symptoms of OSA are loud snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, morning headaches, and dry mouth after waking up.

Shift work sleep disorder

This disorder is commonly observed in people working unconventional shifts. This is because the disease directly affects the circadian rhythm, i.e., the biological clock of the patient. Hence, these patients suffer from excessive sleepiness during their working hours and insomnia during their sleeping hours. Some of the symptoms are difficulty concentrating, irritability, moodiness, incomplete sleep, etc. 

Modacare 200mg is used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness, which is one of the symptoms of these disorders. It cannot treat the underlying illness, which requires supportive methods.  

Off-label uses of Modacare 200mg are:

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Cancer-related fatigue
• Multiple sclerosis related fatigue 
• Post-anaesthetic sedation
• Acute unipolar and bipolar depressive episodes
• Cocaine dependance

What are The Dosage Guidelines for Modacare 200 mg Tablets?

• Patients must only consume Modacare 200mg if a health practitioner prescribes it.
• Under any medical condition, this medicine is not to be given to children.

Generally, the doctor would prescribe the following dosage unless required otherwise:

For narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea:

Take one tablet or 200mg of modafinil in a single day. This dosage is to be taken in the mornings.

At the most, a person can consume upto 400mg of modafinil. However, scientifically, a higher dosage does not mean higher efficiency.

For shift work sleep disorder:

One tablet or 200mg of modafinil 1 hour before the shift starts.

How to Take Modacare 200 mg Tablets?

• Swallow a single tablet whole with water. See to it that the tablet remains intact while consuming it.
• Keep a fixed time to take this drug. Do not take it close to sleeping times, as it may cause insomnia.
• Do not share this drug with anyone else, especially if they have a history of alcoholism or drug abuse.
• Stick to the dosage and timing provided by the doctor.
• Inform the doctor if a drug-related reaction is suspected.

Guidelines to Buy Prescription (Schedule IV Controlled Substance) Drugs Online

The active ingredient of Modacare 200 mg, modafinil, is classified under Schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This means that modafinil has a low potential for abuse but cannot be consumed without a doctor’s prescription. So, buy Modacare 200 mg tablets only if you are prescribed with this medication. This highlights the sensitive nature of modafinil and other stimulant drugs. Purchasing such important medication from shady sources will not only endanger your health but also land you in legal trouble. Moreover, such sources might be selling counterfeit, expired, or totally different medicine. Online fraud involving prescription medication is far more common. To search for trustworthy online sources, refer to the criteria given below:

• Purchase this medicine from a verified, reputable online pharmacy. It must have all the necessary certifications from the concerned authority.
• Thoroughly go through their sourcing, shipping and delivery policies. The online store must have a transparent privacy policy.
• Make sure that the website has legitimate customer reviews.
• Stay away from those sites that offer unusually low prices and uncommonly generous discounts.
• Read the concerned country’s guidelines for the import of controlled substances. 
• In the US, a person can order a maximum of 50 doses at a time. The importer must be registered with the  Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
• The online pharmacy must have a licensed pharmacist to assist with any questions.

Missed dosage Guidelines:

• If a dose is missed, patients must take it as soon as they remember.
• Skip the missed dose if it is close to bedtime.
• Do not take a double dose to compensate for the missed dose.

Overdosage Guidelines:

If an individual suspects an overdose, they must immediately call their docotor or emergency services. Following are the symptoms of a Modacare 200mg overdose:

• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Agitation 
• Disorientation
• Hallucinations
• Restlessness
• Pounding in the ears
• Chest pain
• Elevated blood pressure

How does The Modacare 200 mg Tablet Work?

The active ingredient in Modacare 200mg is modafinil. This is the substance that is responsible for the wakefulness effect of this drug. The specific process by which modafinil works is unknown. However, studies performed on modafinil revealed that it acts on certain neurotransmitter systems.

Some studies show that modafinil acts on the dopamine transporter (DAT). This prevents the neurons from reabsorbing dopamine, thus increasing its concentration in the brain. Dopamine is responsible for controlling several functions, including wakefulness. It inhibits the activity of norepinephrine and melatonin, which induces drowsiness and sleep.

It is important to note that modafinil does not act on the dopamine receptors, which adds to its clinical significance. Due to its pharmacological profile, modafinil is less likely to cause substance abuse.

Apart from this, modafinil is also speculated to indirectly affect several neurotransmitter systems connected to sleep.

What are The Side Effects of Modacare 200 mg Tablets?

Given below is a list of serious side effects that require immediate medical intervention. These conditions, although less common, can lead to life-threatening conditions.

• Serious skin rashes. These can include any skin abnormalities like blistering, rashes, discoloration, etc.
• Allergic reactions like hives, fever, swelling of the face, eyes, tongue, throat, and swollen lymph nodes.
• Seizures
• Jaundice
• Chest pain
• Suicidal ideation
• Depression
• Sudden increase in blood pressure
• Difficulty breathing

Some of the common side effects caused by Modacare 200mg that do not require immediate medical attention are given below:

• Headache
• Back pain
• Nausea
• Indigestion
• Dry mouth

Precautions & Warnings:

This list contains all the necessary precautions and warnings a patient needs before consuming Modacare 200mg.

Patients should consult a medical practitioner before consuming Modacare 200mg.

Inform the PCP about any medical conditions, ongoing medications, allergies, etc.

Medical practitioners must be especially careful while prescribing Modacare 200mg to patients with a history of the following disorders:

• Liver or kidney impairment
• Cardiovascular diseases
• Seizures
• Psychiatric disorders

Do not hesitate to notify your primary care physician of any history of alcoholism or drug abuse.

Always purchase the medication from trusted sources, whether online or in stores.

Avoid driving heavy vehicles after consuming Modacare 200mg.

Women of childbearing age must switch to physical contraceptive methods to avoid unexpected conceptions. Modacare 200mg reduces the efficiency of hormonal contraceptives.

Inform the doctor about any adverse reactions throughout the course of the medication.

Interactions:

There are a lot of drugs that interact with Modacare 200mg. This interaction occurs mainly due to three main mechanisms:

1. The drug interferes with the metabolization of modafinil and vice versa.
2. Modafinil reduces the effect of the interacting substance.
3. Modafinil and the drug interact synergistically and produce an amplified effect. 

Other mechanisms of interference are not yet explored. Nevertheless, do not consume Modacare 200mg with the following drugs:

• Amphetamines or dextroamphetamines
• Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors
• Barbiturates like phenobarbital
• Dexmethylphenidate or methylphenidate
• Pemoline
• Procarbazine
• Warfarin
• Hormonal birth control pills
• Antifungals like ketoconazole

Food interactions:

• Alcohol
• Grapefruit
• Caffeine 

Apart from these, there are a lot of other interacting substances that cannot be included in a single list.

FAQs:

Q. What is Modacare 200mg ?

Modacare 200mg is a wakefulness- promoting drug that is used in the treatment of certain sleeping disorders. It contains 200 mg of its active ingredient, modafinil, which is responsible for its stimulant properties. 

Q. How does Modacare 200mg work?

The active ingredient, modafinil, acts on several neurotransmitter systems. Studies have shown that it increases dopamine levels in the brain, which is responsible for controlling sleep.

Q. Is Modacare 200mg addictive?

Unlike other CNS stimulants, Modacare 200mg is not likely to cause addiction. However, it can only be consumed under a valid medical prescription.

Q. Can pregnant women consume Modacare 200mg?

Currently, there are no studies about the effect of modafinil on the fetus. Also, it is not known whether the drug will pass into the breastmilk or not. Hence, doctors must prescribe this medication to pregnant/lactating women if absolutely necessary.

Q. Can I use Modacare 200mg to improve concentration?

Modafinil can indeed improve concentration and other cognitive abilities. But whether or not this is an ethically acceptable use of it is up for discussion.