[evans_c1]

Has anyone ever tried this product Provigil for excessive sleepiness? Like some, I work the night shift (12 hrs) and feel like I sleep excessively and have problems staying awake. Is this product FDA approved?

[TazziRN]

If it's being prescribed it has to be FDA approved. My MIL used it and said it worked for her.

[caliotter3]

Is it a pharmaceutical medicine or herbal product? Haven't heard of it.

[ERRNTraveler]

It's a prescription medication, controlled substance, usually prescribed for narcolepsy or other similar conditions. I don't think it's intended to be used as an "energy pill" for tired night shift workers, unless you have an underlying clinical condition that is causing your drowsiness. I think it would be somewhat irresponsible of a physician to prescribe it to someone who just needs help staying awake at night & doesn't have a medical condition causing them to fall asleep at inappropriate times.

[nighteyes719]

It works great. and yes it is being prescribed for shift workers. my doctor ordered for me a few years ago . insurance would not approve it. it cost over $300.00 a month with out insurance. just got a new insurance company and it is finnally approved and works great I dont take it all the time likes its ordered 200mg bid. one tablet a day is great and have had no side effects.

[Mommy TeleRN]

Check this out:
http://www.provigil.com/patient/diso...shiftwork.aspx

Apparently there is something called Shift Work Sleep Disorder ..interesting! It says this med is the only one FDA approved to treat SWSD. I'm interested!

One sleepy noc worker

[fultzymom]

I have a friend who says many night nurses use it where she works. She said that they all love it et that it works really well.

Leslie

[hope3456]

I've been taking it for about a month. I was really having problems staying awake at work and with feeling drowsy. It has really helped with the drowsiness and helps me feel more alert. A couple times I took it when I hadn't slept the previous day and I still got really tired towards the end of my shift so it definately shouldn't be a replacement for sleep. i had to pay for it out of pocket and it is expensive - about $7 a pill - i found that 1/2 a pill works well for me so thats what i've been taking. When I took the whole 100mg I was wired! I only take it when I go to work - 1 hr. before the start of my shift.

[grace90]

My doc prescribed Provigil for me because I work 3-12 hr nights a week and the other meds I'm on already cause sleepiness and I was having a horrible time staying awake. It did help me stay awake, but I tend to react sensitively to a lot of meds and it made me my heart beat fast and raised my blood pressure and I couldn't think straight. But that's just me. I've heard of it working well for others. And, yes, it is prescribed for shift work sleep disorders.

[coffeeaddict]

I have been taking provigil for about 6 months now. I needed something to counteract that loss of brain power that would happen around 5am. I realy didnt have any problems staying awake, I would just start forgetting what I went into the med room for, or one time couldnt think of the word bedpan. I didnt feel comfortable with the drop in IQ working in a ICU. So my doctor priscribed provigil for me. I usually only use it two out of my three 12 hr shifts. I still sleep the 8 hrs in the day, but I think it helps alot with the wake sleep cycle. There are only mild side affects, the first week or so I used it I got a mild H/A, and a slightly stuffy nose. There is little known about how it works, but they think that it increases the histamine, and dopamine levels in the brain, coping the natural wake nerotransmiters of the brain.