Tag: Narcolepsy

Over-the-counter sales of dextromethorphan, often containing the prefix 'dextro,' reached $2.1 billion in 2023, while the word 'dextro' also refers to the controlled stimulant dextroamphetamine. Understanding what is the drug dextro used for requires distinguishing between these two pharmacologically distinct agents.

The sleep cycle is composed of rapid eye movement (REM) and several non-REM stages [1.2.2]. This article answers the key question: what are REM medications and how do they pharmacologically influence this critical phase of sleep for therapeutic purposes?

In 2023, amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (the generic name for Adderall) was the most frequently prescribed stimulant, accounting for 49% of all stimulant prescriptions [1.5.4]. So, **what level of drug is Adderall**? It is classified as a **Schedule II controlled substance** by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) [1.2.3, 1.2.2].

Approximately 20 percent of people experience excessive daytime sleepiness, a condition that significantly impacts daily life and productivity [1.2.2]. This raises a critical question for many: **what drugs wake people up** and how do they work?

For individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Ritalin (methylphenidate) is a commonly prescribed central nervous system stimulant used to manage symptoms. Taking a 10 mg dose of immediate-release Ritalin can help increase focus, improve attention span, and reduce impulsive behavior by altering the levels of key neurotransmitters in the brain.

Affecting an estimated 9.8% of children and 4.4% of adults in the U.S., ADHD is often treated with stimulant medications [1.11.1]. A common question that arises is, 'What plant is Adderall derived from?' The answer is that it is a purely synthetic drug with no plant-based ingredients [1.3.1, 1.3.2].

Modafinil, marketed under the brand name Provigil, is an FDA-approved wakefulness-promoting agent used to treat excessive sleepiness. It was first approved in the United States in 1998 for narcolepsy and has since been prescribed for specific sleep disorders and various off-label conditions.

In the United States, projected prescriptions for stimulants increased by 57.9% from 2012 to 2022 [1.7.6]. But can you take modafinil with phentermine, another stimulant? This combination poses significant health risks that require careful consideration and medical supervision [1.2.1, 1.2.2].

According to clinical trial data presented in prescribing information, approximately 6% of patients taking modafinil experienced diarrhea, with a slightly lower rate in the placebo group. This confirms that the gastrointestinal side effect is a possibility for users and provides context for the question: **does modafinil give you diarrhea**?

According to clinical trials, headaches are a highly common side effect, with over 30% of participants reporting them while taking modafinil. These headaches often present as mild-to-moderate tension-type headaches, but can be prevented and managed effectively once the underlying cause is understood.