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Modafinil - what's the Aussie consensus on it?

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What was it?

Bluelighter
Joined
Sep 4, 2010
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My doc has prescribed me Modafinil off-label for lack of motivation, mood disorder/winter blues/mild depression. (I don't feel unhappy but just no drive-hence I didn't want an SSRI).

I took one yesterday and found it got me quite wired along with coffee. I dont generally like stimulants but it was ok. Around the 3 hour mark I must say I felt quite euphoric. I do believe there is potential for addiction/dependancy to Modafinil.

I was able to fall asleep, eat and only had a minor, pressure-like headache as a side effect.

Does anybody have thoughts as to safety of Modafinil? Does anyone use it regularly? (and for longer periods of time - side effects?)
 
I remember there was a bit of discussion a couple of years ago when it first started becoming popular, but haven't heard much since. It's something I've always been interested in as a non-abusable study aid; you mention that you think there could be dependence issues but for the most part the users I have talked to have said that they didn't feel any urge to continue dosing or anything like that.
 
Well nothing in the league of amphetamines/meth/Dexamph/Methyphenidate in terms of dependency potential, but I could easily see how it could surpass the daily coffee and be something that could quite consciously pop to one's mind each morning after a while. I've still only taken it once since however, so the abuse/addictive potential does seem quite low.

The main chemical difference between amphetamine and the likes and Modafinil is apparently the following: (and hence it
's moderate potential for addiction)

Amp is a dopamine reuptake inhibitor as well as a dopamine releasor (amongst other things), whereas Modafinil is only really a dopamine reuptake inhibitor, similar to Buproprion or Zyban. Essentially this does increase dopamine levels to some extent, but you don't get the double flood as with amp. Hence it is less addictive.

I read somewhere that Modafinil is like not taking the trash away (it'll start smelling) and that amp is like not taking the trash away and dumping more trash on top of the trash can.
 
^ Interesting analogy there. ;)

The pharmacology of modafinil is complex and largely unknown. It appears that a major part of it's effects may be through altering electrical conduction through gap junctions (direct connections between nerve cells, as opposed to synapses) which then has a downstream effect on catecholamine levels in certain parts of the brain. From what I've read, this is mainly through inhibiting certain GABA neurons that normally suppress the release of these neurotransmitters.
 
Which one's better? Modafinil or Dexamphetamine?

Why isn't Modafinil prescribed for ADHD?

I'm on Dexamphetamine.
 
kaiba said:
Which one's better? Modafinil or Dexamphetamine?

Why isn't Modafinil prescribed for ADHD?

I'm on Dexamphetamine.
Click to expand...

Only consider a switch to Modafinil if you are worried about health/addiction I'd say with Dexies.
 
brighton said:
damn im jealous!
i tried to get some last week for the same symptoms but no.
how do you like it for your depression?
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Really good - it drives me to get things done, brightens my mood, makes me feel young again.....a bit like being a kid all over.

I think for mild depression/chronic fatigue/winter blues/being in a rut it's great. Highly recommend it. And much better than an SSRI as you don't have the negative side effects such as sexual dysfunction. I don't even think it needs to be taken daily....just every other day.
 
88brenno said:
Can a GP prescribe Modafinil?
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Your GP can prescribe Modafinil to you if he/she feels that there is a clinical basis for prescribing it. Unless you meet certain criteria, this will be a private prescription, which will be very expensive (>$300 for 120 of the 100 mg tablets). For the drug to be subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, you must meet the following criteria:

Initial treatment, by a qualified sleep medicine practitioner or neurologist, of patients with narcolepsy where:
(i) therapy with dexamphetamine sulfate poses an unacceptable medical risk; or
(ii) intolerance to dexamphetamine sulfate of a severity necessitating treatment withdrawal develops.

The presence of any 1 of the following indicates treatment with dexamphetamine sulfate poses an unacceptable medical risk:
(a) a psychiatric disorder;
(b) a cardiovascular disorder;
(c) a history of substance abuse;
(d) glaucoma;
(e) any other absolute contraindication to dexamphetamine sulfate as specified in the TGA-approved Product Information.

Patients must meet the following definition of narcolepsy:
Excessive daytime sleepiness, recurrent naps or lapses into sleep occurring almost daily for at least 3 months and:
(i) a definite history of cataplexy;
or
a mean sleep latency less than or equal to 10 minutes on a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT). The MSLT must be preceded by nocturnal polysomnography. Sleep prior to the MSLT must be at least 6 hours in duration;
or
an electroencephalographic (EEG) recording showing the pathologically rapid development of REM sleep; and
(ii) absence of any medical or psychiatric disorder that could otherwise account for the hypersomnia.

The authority application must be made in writing and must include the following:
(a) a completed authority prescription form; and
(b) a completed Modafinil (Modavigil) PBS Authority Application for Use in the Treatment of Narcolepsy - Supporting Information Form [www.medicareaustralia.gov.au]; and
(c) details of the contraindication or intolerance to dexamphetamine sulfate; and
(d) either:
(i) the result and date of the polysomnography test and MSLT conducted by, or under the supervision of, a qualified sleep medicine practitioner; or
(ii) the result and date of the EEG, conducted by, or under the supervision of, a neurologist.

The polysomnography, MSLT or EEG test reports must be provided with the authority application.
Click to expand...

http://www.pbs.gov.au/medicine/item/8816B
 
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I took it quite regular for a few months when I was having issues with fatigue following an illness. It's an amazing chemical, does exactly what it's supposed to with minimal side effects. Kept me awake and alert, functional, but no crash, no overstimulation and didn't feel even slightly habit forming.

Not recreational, but a very worthwhile med.
 
Crankinit said:
I took it quite regular for a few months when I was having issues with fatigue following an illness. It's an amazing chemical, does exactly what it's supposed to with minimal side effects. Kept me awake and alert, functional, but no crash, no overstimulation and didn't feel even slightly habit forming.

Not recreational, but a very worthwhile med.
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I reckon it could overstimulate some people that are sensitive to stimulants.....worth starting with 50mgs as an initial dose as opposed to 100-200mgs.
 
What was it? said:
I reckon it could overstimulate some people that are sensitive to stimulants.....worth starting with 50mgs as an initial dose as opposed to 100-200mgs.
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I actually found that a full dose was rarely necessary, usually I'd take between 50 - 150mg a day.
 
kaiba said:
Which one's better? Modafinil or Dexamphetamine?

Why isn't Modafinil prescribed for ADHD?

I'm on Dexamphetamine.
Click to expand...

I have ADHD and modavigil turns me into a raving hyper unfocused loon, it's shit
 
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