Provigil is a
prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to promote
wakefulness for those who suffer from diagnosed sleep disorders including obstructive sleep
apnea (OSA) and narcolepsy.
However, a recent
segment on the television news magazine Nightline
focused on people who are using the medication to maintain alertness and
stimulate cognitive enhancement. The piece prompted responses from drug
manufacturer Cephalon (a subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceuticals) and the American
Academy of Sleep Medicine saying that Provigil should only be used as directed
and for the approved treatment of daytime sleepiness associated with sleep
apnea and other sleep disorders.
There is little
evidence that Provigil and similar drugs enhance cognitive abilities, and all
medications are accompanied by potential side-effects. As a schedule IV
controlled substance, Provigil also has a risk for dependence and abuse.
Provigil is intended to
help those with certain sleep disorders manage excessive daytime drowsiness,
one of the most common symptoms of sleep
apnea and other sleep-related medical conditions.
Although Provigil is
not a replacement for sleep apnea treatment, it may be used in conjunction with
options such as continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices or
custom-made oral
appliances.