At this time, it is not known exactly how Provigil works to promote wakefulness. The medicine does not work like other stimulants. Provigil is known to affect certain brain chemicals, but this does not seem to be the way that the drug works, since blocking Provigil’s effect on such chemicals does not stop it from working.
Provigil has not been shown to be safe and effective for any use in children younger than 16 years old. Studies in younger children showed an increased risk of side effects (some dangerous), without any real benefit for treating narcolepsy.
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend Provigil for treating something other than the conditions discussed in this article. This is called an “off-label” use. At this time, Provigil is sometimes used off-label for the following uses:
- For treating fatigue due to other causes (such as chronic fatigue syndrome or multiple sclerosis)
- For treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- To help treat depression (when used along with antidepressants).
There are also a few less legitimate off-label Provigil uses, such as to:
- Improve brain function (such as before tests or exams)
- Improve athletic performance
- Suppress the need for sleep
- Help people lose weight.
Source: http://sleep.emedtv.com/provigil/provigil.html
