Remarks

  • What are generic drugs?
  • When a drug company first invents a drug that company is the only one allowed to make that drug for a certain number of years (approximately 10 years in the US). After this time period, other companies are allowed to make the same drug. These drugs are called generics. The original drug is called a brand name drug. Brand name drugs and their generics are IDENTICAL in terms of active ingredients. The generic pills may look different (because they are made by a different company) but inside is exactly the same active ingredient which works in exactly the same way. The only difference between brand name drugs and generic drugs is that generics are always less expensive.
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  • What is Modafinil (Provigil)?
  • Modafinil (Provigil) is a stimulant-like drug manufactured by Cephalon, and is approved by the FDA for the treatment of narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea.
  • Modafinil is a stimulant drug marketed as a 'wakefulness promoting agent' and is one of the stimulants used in the treatment of narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is caused by dysfunction of a family of wakefulness-promoting and sleep-suppressing peptides, the orexins, whose neurons are activated by modafinil. The prexin neuron activation is associated with psychoactivation and euphoria. The exact mechanism of action is unclear, although in vitro studies have shown it to inhibit the reuptake of dopamine by binding to the dopamine reuptake pump, and lead to an increase in extracellular dopamine. Modafinil activates glutamatergic circuits while inhibiting GABA.
  • Modafinil, like other stimulants, increases the release of monoamines but also elevates hypothalamic histamine levels, leading some researchers to consider Modafinil a "wakefulness promoting agent" rather than a classic amphetamine-like stimulant (as evidenced by the difference in c-fos distribution caused by modafinil as compared to amphetamine).
  • Modafinil is also indicated, though not approved, in the treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), depression, cocaine addiction, Parkinson's Disease, schizophrenia, and disease-related fatigue. By law, however, Cephalon is not allowed to market Modafinil for conditions other than those officially approved by the FDA. (in the U.S.)
  • Modafinil and its chemical precursor Adrafinil were developed by Lafon Laboratories, a French company acquired by Cephalon in 2001. Modafinil is the primary metabolite of adrafinil, and, while their activity is similar, adrafinil requires a higher dose to achieve equipotent effects.
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  • Provigil's synonyms may be?
  • Modafinil, with the brand Provigil, was initially marketed by Cephalon. The trade names of Modafinil may also be Provigil (US, UK, Italy, Belgium), Vigil (Germany), Alertec (Canada), Modasomil (Switzerland), Vigicer (Argentina), Modavigil (Australia), Resotyl, Mentix, Alertex (Chile), Modalert (from Sun Pharma), Modapro (from Cipla), Modiodal (from Noventure, being marketed in France, Mexico, Turkey, Greece, Sweden, Denmark, Portugal), Provake, Modafil (from Intas), Naxelan, Vigia, Zalux, Sparlon, Modafinilo (Spanish), Modafinilum (Latin), Moderateafinil and Dea No. 1680.