IS MODALERT THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION FOR NARCOLEPSY?
A word on Narcolepsy
Humans are programmed for 16 hours of daytime wakefulness and 8 hours of nighttime sleep. In medical terms, it is called the sleep-wake cycle. Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder affecting the sleep-wake cycles that affect the quality of life. It occurs due to a brain chemical called orexin and is characterized by excessive daytime sleep tendencies with periods of involuntary sleep.
Phases of loss of muscle tone may accompany it. Hallucinations or sleep paralysis are some other symptoms associated with narcolepsy. Narcolepsy risk is more amongst the age group of 10-30 and in people with a family history of the condition. At present, narcolepsy has no cure. Medications and lifestyle modifications can lessen the symptoms.
What is Modalert?
It is a psychostimulant medication popularly used for the treatment of narcolepsy. A psychostimulant is a psychotropic medication that works on the CNS or Central Nervous System to achieve its functions. Though not a classic psychostimulant, Modalert is more commonly referred to as a eugeroic or less potent stimulant. Simply put, eugeroics promote wakefulness and alertness but without the peripheral side-effects associated with other potent stimulants.
Apart from narcolepsy, it effectively treats other sleep disorders like sleep apnea and works shift sleep disorder. Studies have revealed that it can be useful in treating Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder with significantly less abuse potential than other CNS stimulants. Off-label Modalert online is popularly known as a cognitive enhancer.
How does it treat narcolepsy?
The brain consists of neurotransmitters that act as the body’s chemical messengers and transmit messages to other neurons or muscles. Dopamine is one such neurotransmitter that contributes to the feelings of alertness, wakefulness, motivation and focus. Lack of dopamine can result in sleepiness and even lead to psychosis and depression.
Modalert works on the neurotransmitters to increase Dopamine levels. This reduces excessive sleepiness and promotes wakefulness and alertness among the patients. Through its dopamine reuptake or re-absorption inhibition, Modalert helps maintain the sleep-wake cycles, thus promoting healthy sleep.
Is Modalert the best option for narcolepsy?
In a study about sleep disorders, it was found that Modalert proved effective than psychostimulants because of its specific action over the anterior and lateral region of the hypothalamus. It was also found that Modafinil can combine better with antidepressants than other psychostimulants for effective treatment of narcolepsy. Additionally, placebo-controlled clinical trials found that Modafinil was better for sleep disorders than Amphetamine and Methylphenidate for sleep disorders. Though effective for reducing sleepiness, these medications do not improve cognitive functions or produce increased side effects. This reduces their viability and proves the efficacy of Modafinil which performs both of these functions effectively.
Clinical trials have proved that Modalert produces wakefulness without the aftereffects of compensatory sleep. The area of the hypothalamus on which Modafinil acts differs from that of other psychostimulants. This reduces its potential of abuse by proving its effectiveness for long term use in patients. It even improves other cognitive functions of the brain like focus, memory, learning and overall intelligence. Modalert is also known to possess anticonvulsant properties, which indirectly help control the locomotion effects of narcolepsy.
Safety Standards and Interactions
Modalert is available in strengths of 100mg and 200mg. For narcolepsy and sleep apnea cases, a 200mg dose is advised once daily, preferably in the morning. It has a half-life of 10-12 hours, lasting up to 15 hours. Because it is metabolized by the liver and eliminated by the kidneys, it should not be used in people with liver or kidney impairments.
Since it acts on the CNS, it should not be used in pregnant or breastfeeding ladies for risk to the fetus or the baby. It should also be used with precaution in patients with cardiac disease, psychotic and psychiatric disorders. Additionally, Modalert should be preferably taken on an empty stomach as taking it with food may delay its absorption.
Its growing demand has led to its spurious production in large quantities. To avoid this complication, it should be purchased from a reputed site to verify its authenticity. Post-purchase, it should be kept in a cool and dark place out of the reach of children and pets. Modalert should never be overused as it may lead to addiction or worse hallucinations and delusions with schizophrenic symptoms. On missing a dose, overdose should be avoided while making up for the missing dose.
Conclusion
In comparison to other medications, Modalert has proved its superiority for treating narcolepsy over factors like low tolerance and cognitive enhancement. The side effects associated with Modalert are limited to headaches, nausea, and diarrhea compared to more severe side effects of other psychostimulants. Care must be taken to ensure its drug and food interactions and avoid overuse to prevent serious complications.