Provigil for Social Disorder
Social anxiety disorder (SAD), and sometimes called social phobia, can leave you feeling lonely, isolated and ashamed. Patients often experience extreme fear in social situations, especially when they may be scrutinized by others. But there is hope. One medication, Provigil, may help provide some relief--especially when used as a "booster" to other medications for SAD.
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Background
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Provigil is the first of its kind in a new class of drugs that help keep you awake. It is often used to treat narcolepsy and excessive sleepiness. The active ingredient is modafinil. It helps to enhance concentration and memory, and is a mood enhancer. It has gained popularity as a treatment for depression--used by itself or in a combination with an antidepressant. It is not available over-the-counter, so you will need a prescription.
How it works
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According to www.provigilweb.org, research, including at Duke and Stanford, indicates that Provigil works in the brain's dopamine system. It increases alertness for those who are consistently sleepy and is most effective two hours after it is ingested. Side effects can range from a severe allergic reaction to dry mouth, runny nose, sore throat, insomnia, numbness and tingling. For some people, Provigil may actually increase anxiety because of the stimulant nature of the drug, although it doesn't work in the same way drugs with amphetamines do. For others, it may allow them to be more social and help combat symptoms of SAD. It is up to your doctor to determine which medication would be suitable to use with Provigil to help with symptoms.
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Who should take Provigil?
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Provigil is FDA approved for those older than 16. It is primarily used to treat sleep disorders, but some doctors are using the medication to treat social disorders and other issues such as depression, memory decline, fatigue, jet lag and attention deficit disorder (ADD). As of September 2009, the FDA has not approved this medication as a treatment for social disorders. Consult your doctor on whether Provigil would be appropriate to use for you, as this would be considered off-label use.
Cost
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If you plan to take Provigil for a social disorder, it may cost you around $250 to $350 for a month's supply. Insurance companies cover some of the cost, but only for approved uses. So since using Provigil to treat social disorders is an off-label use, it is likely more insurance companies will not help with the costs.
Warning
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Do not use Provigil to stay awake for long periods of time. Lack of sleep can result in cardiovascular and neurological problems, as well as high blood pressure, heart rate and insulin levels. It should only be used during pregnancy if the benefits outweigh the risks. Consult your doctor before using Provigil if you are pregnant, have high blood pressure, are taking other prescription drugs or herbal supplements, or have liver and kidney problems. Provigil may also affect birth control pills, so you may need to use a non-hormonal method of birth control when you are taking Provigil. It can also be habit forming.
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