The Provigil (modafinil) dosage for sleepiness from narcolepsy and other conditions is usually 200 mg per day. Dosage may vary based on your symptoms and other factors. Be sure to take the Provigil dosage your doctor prescribes.

Specifically, Provigil (modafinil) is prescribed to relieve excessive sleepiness in adults due to the following conditions:

The active ingredient in Provigil is modafinil. An active ingredient is what makes a medication work. Provigil belongs to a group of drugs called stimulants.

This article describes the dosage of Provigil, as well as its strengths and how to take it. To learn more about this drug, including its uses, side effects, and more, read this in-depth article about Provigil.

* Provigil treatment helps manage sleepiness in people with obstructive sleep apnea. It doesn’t treat the root cause of obstructive sleep apnea.

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Your doctor will likely start you on a low dosage of Provigil and adjust it over time to reach the right amount for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended for Provigil. Be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those shown here.

Provigil’s form

Provigil comes as a tablet that you swallow.

Provigil strengths

Provigil tablets come in two strengths: 100 milligrams (mg) and 200 mg.

The prescribed Provigil dosage may vary depending on the condition it’s being used to treat. Always follow your doctor’s instructions. Notify them if you experience any side effects of Provigil that may prevent you from taking your medication.

The information below describes dosages that are commonly recommended. Be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Dosage for narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea

For adults with excessive sleepiness due to narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea, the recommended dosage of Provigil is 200 mg per day. You’ll usually take it in the morning.

The maximum daily dose is 400 mg. But your doctor will prescribe the dose of Provigil that best fits your needs. For details, see the “What factors can affect my dosage?” section.

Dosage for shift work sleep disorder

For adults with excessive sleepiness due to shift work sleep disorder, the recommended dosage of Provigil is 200 mg per day.

To increase wakefulness, you’ll take your dose about 1 hour before your work shift begins.

Provigil’s drugmaker hasn’t provided a maximum dose of the drug for this use. Your doctor will prescribe the dose that best fits your needs.

You’ll take your Provigil tablet by swallowing it. You can take it with or without food. If you have trouble taking Provigil tablets, see these tips for how to swallow a pill.

The exact time you’ll take Provigil depends on the condition you’re taking it to treat. For excessive sleepiness due to obstructive sleep apnea and narcolepsy, you’ll usually take Provigil in the morning. For shift work sleep disorder, you’ll take it 1 hour before you start work.

Try to avoid taking Provigil too close to bedtime as you may have difficulty sleeping as a side effect.

Provigil may cause certain side effects, such as dizziness, that affect your ability to think clearly. When you start Provigil treatment, avoid tasks that may be affected by these side effects, such as driving. Your doctor will advise waiting to see how the drug affects you before you drive. (Learn more about Provigil’s side effects.)

Dosage adjustments

The Provigil dosage you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re taking the drug to treat
  • your age
  • other conditions you may have

Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of Provigil if you have liver problems or you’re an older adult.

The liver removes Provigil from your body. If your liver is not working as well as it should, Provigil may build up in your system. This can increase your risk of side effects from the drug. A lower dose of Provigil may decrease the risk of side effects.

Liver function also tends to be lower in older adults compared with younger people. If you’re age 65 years or older, your doctor may recommend a lower dose of Provigil. They may also monitor you more closely for side effects.

How long do you take Provigil?

Provigil is usually a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of Provigil, ask your doctor whether you should take it when you remember or whether to skip it.

Your doctor’s recommendation may depend on how much time has passed. For example, if it’s a different time of day than your usual dose, taking the missed dose could disrupt your sleep. In this case, your doctor may recommend skipping the missed dose and taking your next dose at the regularly scheduled time.

Talk with your doctor about your sleep and work schedules before you take a missed dose. Do not take two doses to make up for a missed dose.

If you need help remembering to take your dose of Provigil on time, try using a medication reminder. This can include setting an alarm or downloading a reminder app on your phone.

Accessible drug containers and labels

If you need help to read the prescription label on your medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:

  • have large print or use braille
  • feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

If you have trouble opening medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to supply Provigil in an easy-open container. They may also have tips to help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.

Do not take more Provigil than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of Provigil overdose

Symptoms of an overdose of Provigil can include:

What to do in case you take too much Provigil

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Provigil. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.

The following are answers to some commonly asked questions about Provigil’s dosage.

What is Provigil’s dosage for ADHD?

There have been several studies of Provigil dosages for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). But there is no usual dosage of Provigil for ADHD.

Provigil is sometimes prescribed off-label to treat ADHD. (With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.) If your doctor recommends Provigil as part of your ADHD treatment, they’ll determine the dosage that’s right for you.

Doctors may also prescribe Provigil off-label for the following conditions:

To learn more about Provigil and ADHD, talk with your doctor.

Is there a dosage of Provigil for weight loss?

No, there is no dosage of Provigil for weight loss. The drug isn’t approved for this use. But it’s possible to lose weight during Provigil treatment. This could be due to loss of appetite, a possible side effect of Provigil. (Learn more about Provigil’s side effects.)

If you notice you’re not as hungry as usual during Provigil treatment, tell your doctor. They can check your symptoms and recommend next steps. They can also offer tips for increasing your appetite.

To learn more about Provigil and weight loss, talk with your doctor.

Should I change my Provigil dosage if I take birth control pills?

No, your Provigil dosage usually won’t change if you take birth control pills. But this is a drug interaction to watch out for. (Learn more about Provigil’s interactions.)

Your birth control pills may be less effective while you’re taking Provigil. And this effect may last for a month after you stop taking the drug. So your doctor may recommend using a backup birth control method during Provigil treatment. Talk with your doctor to learn more.

If you become pregnant during Provigil treatment, tell your doctor. They may recommend a different drug for you.

If you have more questions about your Provigil dosage and birth control pills, talk with your doctor.

Is there a risk of misuse with Provigil?

Yes, there is a risk of misuse with Provigil, which makes it a controlled substance. A controlled substance is a drug the federal government regulates due to the risk of misuse. With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how it was prescribed.

Misuse includes:

  • taking a different Provigil dose than prescribed
  • selling or giving the drug to another person
  • taking Provigil without a prescription

Be sure you’re taking Provigil exactly as your doctor prescribes. Do not share the drug with anyone else. It’s also recommended that you store Provigil in a safe place away from children.

If you have questions or concerns about Provigil misuse, talk with your doctor.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.