Precautions:
Before taking modafinil, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to armodafinil; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart problems (such as enlarged heart, mitral valve problem, chest pain, heart attack, irregular heartbeat), heart problems after taking stimulant drugs such as amphetamines (including chest pain, irregular heartbeat), high blood pressure, liver problems, mental/mood disorders (such as depression, mania, psychosis), personal or family history of regular use/abuse of drugs/alcohol.
Sleep disorders may reduce your ability to react quickly. Though modafinil helps keep you awake, you still may not be able to safely do things that require quick reactions (such as driving). This drug may also make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Interactions:
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor’s approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug include: street drugs (such as methamphetamine, MDMA/”ecstasy”).
This medication may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal birth control such as pills, patch, or ring. This could cause pregnancy. Discuss with your doctor or pharmacist if you should use additional reliable birth control methods while using this medication and for 1 month after stopping this medication. Also tell your doctor if you have any new spotting or breakthrough bleeding, because these may be signs that your birth control is not working well.
Modafinil can speed up the removal of other medications from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of affected drugs include axitinib, bosutinib, among others.
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as cough-and-cold products, diet aids) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist about using these products safely.
Caffeine can increase the side effects of this medication. Avoid drinking large amounts of beverages containing caffeine (coffee, tea, colas), eating large amounts of chocolate, or taking nonprescription products that contain caffeine.
Modafinil is very similar to armodafinil. Do not take medications containing armodafinil while using modafinil.