Question by Teppo: What are the advantages and disadvantages of taking Carim 100 mg?
I am intrigued specifically what are the benefits and drawbacks of having Modafinil 200 mg? Many thanks much.

Best answer:

Answer by Colin
Carim is just another name for modafinil… the only difference in yours is 100mg is half the dose of the 200mg tablets.

In the United States, modafinil is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration only for the treatment of narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea and shift work sleep disorder. In some countries, it is also approved for idiopathic hypersomnia (all forms of excessive daytime sleepiness where causes can’t be established). The usual prescribed dosage for these disorders is 200 mg once a day (less commonly, 100 to 400 mg/day in one or two doses).

For conditions other than shift work sleep disorder, modafinil is normally taken in one dose in the morning or in two doses in the morning and at midday. It is generally not recommended to take modafinil after noon: modafinil is a relatively long-acting drug with a half-life of 15 hours, and taking it during the later part of the day carries a risk of sleep disturbances

Despite extensive research into the interaction of modafinil with a large number of neurotransmitter systems, a precise mechanism or set of mechanisms of action remains unclear. It seems that modafinil, like other stimulants, increases the release of monoamines, specifically the catecholamines norepinephrine and dopamine, from the synaptic terminals. However, modafinil also elevates hypothalamic histamine levels, leading some researchers to consider Modafinil a “wakefulness promoting agent” rather than a classic amphetamine-like stimulant. Despite modafinil’s histaminergic action, it still partially shares the actions of amphetamine-class stimulants due to its effects on norepinephrine and dopamine.

A National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) study highlighted “the need for heightened awareness for potential abuse of and dependence on modafinil in vulnerable populations” due to the drug’s effect on dopamine in the brain’s reward center. However, the synergistic actions of modafinil on both catecholaminergic and histaminergic pathways lowers abuse potential as compared to traditional stimulant drugs while maintaining the effectiveness of the drug as a wakefulness promoting agent. Studies have suggested that modafinil “has limited potential for large-scale abuse” and “does not possess an addictive potential in naive individuals.”

Modafinil was shown to be an effective treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),however in 2006 it was found by the FDA to be unfit for use by children for that purpose. It was rejected primarily due to one suspected case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Cephalon’s own label for Provigil now discourages its use by children for any purpose. Other potentially effective, but unapproved targets include the treatment of depression, bipolar depression,opiate & cocaine dependence,Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, and disease-related fatigue, as well as fatigue that is the side effect of another medication.

In most countries, here is a paper sheet with this sort of information with the tablets. If not, you really should discuss what you need to know with the pharmacist. Although pharmacists are sometimes called chemists, they are rather different and have specific traning in the areas.

Add your own answer in the comments!