Modafinil treats sleepiness

Modafinil is an analeptic, which is widely used in the treatment of sleepiness associated with cases of narcolepsy (sudden attacks of deep sleep and somnolence).

Military of few countries have showed their interest in this medication as an alternative drug to amphetamines - drugs that were traditionally used in combat situations when troops had to face with sleep deprivation (the cases with long-term missions).

The French Government noted that the Foreign Legion used Modafinil during certain covert operations. United Kingdom Ministry of Defense gave instructions to investigate this drug and spent 300,000 Euro on one research. In 2011, the Indian Air Force announced that Indian Health Service of the Armed Forces was starting to explore its usage.

Substances for improving operability of the troops were intensively studied by specialists and the US Air Force.

According to a specialist in sleep disorders John A. Caldwell, the usage of amphetamines as the "pills for combat readiness" for pilots was allowed even during the Second World War. In 1993 Caldwell found that dextroamphetamine almost completely restored operability of the pilots who had spent 40 hours without sleep.

Later, the researcher compared the stimulatory effects of Modafinil and dextroamphetamine and their impact on the working ability of the soldiers, who had been exposed to forced prolonged insomnia. Modafinil effectively relieved fatigue and restored cognitive function of the brain, but by some patients caused nausea. "I think that this medication will receive formal approval for usage as the medicine, - he says. - But I do not think it will replace our proven" pill for combat readiness". Harmlessness of the given medication has been characterized in several studies conducted outside the United States.

Psychiatrists from the University of Cambridge have recently found that the drug promotes intellectual ability and improves memory of a person.

Initially, it was designed in order to combat narcolepsy. The main symptom of this nervous breakdown is irresistible attacks of sleep. US doctors have found that Generic Modafinil helps to stay awake and feel great even during prolonged sleep deprivation. Later, neurologists from the University of Ohio concluded that with the help of this drug it is even possible to overcome the weakness of the patients with multiple sclerosis.