Sleep disorders are very common. About 67% of adults worldwide indicate that they may be suffering from a form of sleep disorder, according to a Philips Global Sleep Survey conducted in 2019. The good news is that many of them, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), shift work sleep disorder (SWSD), and narcolepsy, can be treated with modafinil.
However, before rushing into popping the pill, there are certain things worth knowing. This guide sheds light on some of the common sleep disorders, whether they’re treatable with modafinil and much more.
What Is Modafinil?
Modafinil belongs to a class of drugs called wakefulness-promoting medications. It was developed by Lafon Laboratories and a French neuroscientist Michel Jouvet in the 1970s and prescribed to treat narcolepsy in 1994.
Following its safety, effectiveness, and overall success in France, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it for the treatment of narcolepsy in 1998 [1]. The drug worked wonders, and in 2003, it was approved to treat SWSD and narcolepsy as well. Since then, many doctors started considering it the best treatment option for sleep conditions.
Today, modafinil is more common among healthy individuals. They use it off-label to enhance their cognitive function and ultimately gain a competitive edge in their respective places of engagement. Although the FDA discourages the drug’s use for this purpose, many continue to use it, stating that it works wonders for them.
As a cognitive enhancer, modafinil is believed to: