Provigil User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• Dis...
• June 10, 2009

For ADHD "I've been using Provigil in combination with Wellbutrin for my adult ADD. I'm almost 50 and was just diagnosed 3 years ago. I tried the stimulants and like the way they helped my concentration and focus, but I couldn't take them because of my high blood pressure. I've also tried Strattera, which worked really well, but again I couldn't deal with the side effects (not being able to urinate can be painful). Provigil really helps slow down my racing thoughts, but it doesn't seem to help with my concentration or distractibility. I take it first thing in the morning and usually can't get to sleep until midnight or 1:00 am. Luckily, I work at home, so that's not a real problem. I'm glad to see it's worked well for some of the others who have posted comments."

• Jim...
• February 27, 2012

For Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "I have taken this medicine for sleep apnea and ADHD as a replacement for Ritalin, which I became addicted to for a few years. Provigil does not affect me the same way in terms of a desire to increase the dose and it is very effective for daytime wakefulness and for keeping my focus. I have had no negative effects from this - only positive. It is very expensive and if it weren't for insurance coverage, the medicine would cost $1,500 per month if out of pocket."

• bet...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 9, 2013

For Narcolepsy "I took Provigil for about 7 years. When I was working, my insurance covered it. I had no idea of the price. It is a wonderful medicine but way too expensive if you have to pay for it. Without any discounts, it's approximately $1,300 per prescription. I am on Medicare now and they will not cover it, so I am no longer taking it. It was great at keeping me from sleeping all the time and helped a lot with my depression. Perhaps the price will come down someday and I can start it again. Highly recommended."

• sle...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 13, 2015

For Shift Work Sleep Disorder "I have been on and off Provigil a couple of times over the past few years after being diagnosed with sleep apnea. I first started with 100 mg and a CPAP machine. I soon began to feel better, but the CPAP did not last because I kept ripping it off in the night. So, I ended both. Recently, I have gone back on Provigil, taking 200 mg for shift differential disorder because of the long shifts and my inability to stay awake and falling asleep driving. What a difference. I can stay awake for my 12-hour shift and the 1-hour drive each way to work. I feel if I had not gone back on it, I most likely would have wrecked to or from work by now. The only downfall is an occasional upset stomach if I don't eat before or immediately after taking it."

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 6, 2013

For Narcolepsy "I took Provigil along with Adderall and felt the best ever. I was alert, not on too much Adderall, so I didn't feel bad from that. Then my insurance company wouldn't cover Provigil anymore, they pushed Nuvigil, and it made me sleepier."

• Anonymous
• December 27, 2010

For Shift Work Sleep Disorder "Started night shift work again after being on days for 14 years. A friend told me about Provigil. Asked my doctor and got the prescription. Unbelievable! No drowsiness during the night, no spike and drop like caffeine or energy drinks, and fall right to sleep when I get ready to. I'm in the trucking industry and it's great."

• Che...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 1, 2016

For Narcolepsy "I have narcolepsy, and I am currently taking 200 mg twice daily, and it barely works. My doctor added Ritalin 20 mg twice daily, and I have been on Ritalin for previous years until I moved to TX. In 2013, I was prescribed Vyvanse 70 mg, I believe. It didn't work better than the Ritalin or Adderall I tried while in TX. My doctor then prescribed Xyrem. Needless to say, none of these drugs have provided adequate relief from daytime sleepiness. I started Provigil in January 2016, and there's no change. I took Provigil about 10 years ago, and the same results. I need serious help because I barely function."

• Doz...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 17, 2017

For Narcolepsy "I am a nurse. I gave in and began to take Provigil because I could not safely transfer my clients for appointments. I could not stay awake behind the wheel of a car or any time I sat still. Provigil has been a life changer! I started with 100 mg once a day 4 years ago. It still works and no side effects!"

• Dra...
• May 5, 2008

For Multiple Sclerosis "I was prescribed this medication to deal with the overwhelming fatigue that sometimes hits with Multiple Sclerosis. I am working full time, and cannot afford to be overly sleepy. I am very impressed with how it works. It stimulates me mentally, without creating the 'hyper' physicality of a general stimulant like caffeine. I am able to take the medication on a when required basis - not more than 200 mg in a day - and it works great. Many days I do not take it at all. It has a long half-life, however."

• Laz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 15, 2020

For Narcolepsy "This med has been very helpful for my excessive daytime sleepiness (idiopathic hypersomnia). Probably saved me from ending my career as a therapist altogether, although I’m limited to seeing half the usual number of clients. First 100 mg dose at 8 am, and I’m good to go for about 4 hours—and quite talkative and energetic. By noon or 1, I’m getting quite tired and, even though I take my afternoon dose of 100 mg, the rest of the day I typically feel quite tense and often irritable. Tight knot in upper back. Seeing clients is a real challenge. My life remains pretty limited by my idiopathic hypersomnia, but I’m so relieved to at least be able to work enough to support my family. Losing that capacity altogether would have been devastating, so I’m very grateful for Provigil."

• God...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 28, 2012

For Narcolepsy "Had no life at all except pain and overwhelming fatigue for 10 years. I visited many doctors with no help at all. I am a scientist and began tracking medicines that were in the pipeline - I came across Provigil, and it looked like it was the one for me. When it became available, I was first in line. It changed my life completely; I was normal again; I could produce again and did so to a stunning degree. Three weeks ago, after 8 years, Provigil completely stopped working. I know all the obvious reasons, but it makes no sense; I am again existing with no quality to go forward. I am manically changing to Adderall while I try to figure this out."

• Anonymous
• June 27, 2009

For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "I take 400mg/day for fatigue and mental fog. It helped a great deal although after 3 years it doesn't work as well as in the beginning. I started taking 200mg/day and it didn't help until I took it for 3 months. Increased to 300mg/day after 1 year and to 400mg/day after 2nd year."

• Ama...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 21, 2019

For Narcolepsy "Whether I take 50 mg-100 mg or 150 mg, it always kicks in (if it even does) 12 hr after taking it. 95% of the time, I can sleep straight through the med and I’m still severely dragging all day. This med doesn’t work for me."

• I r...
• August 4, 2008

For Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "I have been on this medication for three days for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness that is not helped by the proper use of CPAP. Previously, I have struggled to stay awake at work, and I am very happy to report that this medication has helped me to stay awake quite nicely with no trouble falling asleep at night. I am currently taking the 100 mg dose."

• fib...
• August 18, 2009

For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome "I take this pill only as needed because of the price, so I take it if I have an appointment or have to be somewhere on time or before 4 pm. I am a zombie if I don't. I just can't understand why it costs so much. Do they honestly think people can afford to pay this price?"

• Anonymous
• November 3, 2008

For Multiple Sclerosis "I tried Provigil 2 years ago but I got the jitters. The fatigue has become so bad in the last 6 months that I decided to try it again. This time I had success. At first, I only took it when I needed it, but finally I gave up having so many nonfunctional days that I started taking it every day - I take just 100 mg. My days are much more fulfilling. I have to actually remind myself NOT to overdo, or I'll still get wiped out. It's so good to feel like I can do things again."

• lol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2015

For Narcolepsy "I'm in the Navy, and it was very hard fighting my sleep for the first 5 years of being in. I finally got a sleep study, and they diagnosed me with narcolepsy. I don't really like taking medication for anything, but my doctor introduced me to Provigil. I finally feel like a normal person, although the first month I had very bad headaches. It slowly went away, and I went from taking 1 100 mg pill a day to 2 100 mg pills. My body got used to it within the first 2 months. Overall, I love this medicine. Works pretty good for me."

• rue...
• February 7, 2014

For Narcolepsy "I tried to write a lot more, but the space is limited. I'd tried ADHD medicines and loaded up with caffeine, but nothing seemed to work to manage my excessive sleep cycles. I stumbled across information on Provigil and asked my doctor if I could try it. I was skeptical because I have eczema, and I have to be careful about the medications, foods, and external allergens I'm exposed to. I began at the lowest dose once a day and increased to that twice a day after a year and a half because it seemed the effectiveness was decreasing. I do take breaks from the meds, usually for a day or two, but I've had to for months (cost) and haven't experienced noticeable withdrawal symptoms, like with all the other chemicals."

• Tim...
• April 27, 2011

For Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "It's my first day on this medicine, but man, I feel odd since I've never been so awake. Right now, it's about 2:30 PM Central time, and my bed should be calling me, and I'm fine. I feel like going for a run."

• Anonymous
• March 3, 2010

For Depression "I was initially prescribed this medication to address both a mild sleep apnea problem and persistent depression. Initially, it was indeed like a miracle drug. I felt better immediately and continued so for about a year. However, the drug then quickly became less effective and actually began to make my depression much worse. I very briefly switched to Nuvigil, but I continued with the worsening depression and ended up having to stop the medication. Within a few days of discontinuing the medication, I felt considerably better. I went on to other medications to help with the depression and fatigue. Provigil/Nuvigil has been a blessing for many people. However, as with many medications, their continued use can sometimes backfire."

• too...
• July 24, 2009

For Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "My first 30 days on Provigil (200 mg x 2 daily) were literally a life-changing event. I have never felt so energetic, awake, and constantly in a good mood in my life. However, after 30 days, the effects started to wane and, after 90 days, I feel little benefit. I tried taking an additional third supplemental dose of 100 mg a couple of hours after my second daily dose of 200 mg to see if the good results might return, but all I gained from the additional 100 mg was a headache. There is a definite and very unfortunate tolerance problem with Provigil in my experience."

• Anonymous
• July 18, 2008

For Multiple Sclerosis "I too have MS and have been taking this drug since it came out-about 6 years. Because Provigil is not an amphetamine, it doesn't make you 'high', you just feel like you have energy. Provigil does not interfere with your normal sleeping pattern if you take it in the morning. I feel like my old self when I take it. I also know now when I do not take it (I'm on 200 mg). I can feel the difference, what I thought was depression was actually a lack of energy."

• wel...
• January 20, 2010

For Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome "My problem was falling asleep while driving and falling asleep in class at nursing school. My doctor prescribed Provigil at 200 mg in the morning. The first day was simply incredible. After that, it didn't seem to work anymore. So the dosage was raised to 300 mg. Same effect. So now I take 400 mg only on the days when I have class. That seems to be enough to keep me going on the other days too. Provigil is a very good medicine, and I am blessed enough to have insurance that pays every penny, so I am not aware of the price. (And I still have to make sure I get at least six hours of sleep at night.)"

• pjs...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 5, 2012

For Narcolepsy "I was diagnosed with narcolepsy around 7th grade, and pretty much slept through middle school. I took Ritalin up to 10th grade, which moderately helped me stay awake, but I still would always crash multiple times a day due to the fact that it doesn't completely eliminate excessive sleepiness, and trying to perfect your taking schedule really is crucial with any narcolepsy prescribed medication. When my neurologist started me on Provigil, I was pretty shocked by the lack of side effects it had, and it was a somewhat natural awake feeling, as others have mentioned. I went from taking 2 (200 mg) pills a day to taking 2-3 (200 mg) pills a day depending on my schedule, exercise, or exam studying."

• Anonymous
• October 9, 2009

For Narcolepsy "I was diagnosed with narcolepsy in 1998. I have been on Cylert, amitriptyline, Ritalin, Ambien, and now Provigil. The Provigil is a lifesaver. I did lose weight on it at first, but have leveled off and have not lost any weight since then. I have taken Provigil for 2 years now. It is not an 'upper' and does not make me feel drugged. I take 200 mg in the morning. It does not wake me up, it helps me maintain the wakefulness that I need to get through the day. Without Provigil, I would not have a normal life. I am thankful to have found this drug. I would, however, like a generic for it that would help to offset the exorbitant cost of the drug."