Nowadays, most people are suffering from sleep difficulties or sleep disorders and attention disorders or we can say Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). According to several studies, an estimated 50-70 million people in the United States (US) are suffering from Sleep disorders like narcolepsy, Hypersomnia, Insomnia, Sleep apnea, etc. On the other hand, an estimated 8.7 million adults in the US and approximately count of 139.8 million adults around the world have been facing persistent ADHD since childhood.
With the increase in these disorders, the options of medications have also increased. Such two medications dominating the market for the treatment of ADHD are Modafinil and Vyvanse. In this blog, we will be discussing the comparison between Modafinil vs Vyvanse.
Concise Introduction of Sleep Disorders and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD):
Sleep Disorder:
The conditions that impact the quantity, quality, and timing of your nighttime sleep like sleep apnea, narcolepsy, hypersomnia, insomnia, restless body, and legs are called Sleep Disorders. Sleep disorders can affect your both physical and mental health.
ADHD:
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that mainly occurs in childhood and often continues into adulthood. Lack of attention, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity are the most recognized symptoms of ADHD.
The Link Between Sleep Problems And ADHD:
The association of sleep problems with Attention Disorder is multifaceted and complex. Problems with sleep may be an internal feature of ADHD, or may both worsen and be worsened by the symptoms of the disorder. Sleep difficulties can, however, also lead to the development of ADHD or similar symptoms.
Beginning around puberty, individuals with ADHD are most likely to go through shorter sleep times, difficulties in falling asleep and excessive sleep, and a very high risk of developing a sleep disorder. Sleep problems in Attention disorder tend to increase with age through sleep difficulty in childhood. Many ADHD symptoms are similar to sleep disorders.
People are concerned about how to diagnose or get treatment for sleep disorders and ADHD. Here, we’re providing you information about two medications Modafinil and Vyvanse, that are generally recommended for these disorders. As described above both the disorders seem to be interlinked with each other so these drugs may help you get rid of your complication and you can easily find what is best suitable for you. Let’s dive in.
Introduction To Modafinil And Vyvanse:
What is Modafinil?
Modafinil is considered a nootropic drug, it is also referred to as a “smart drug”. It is a stimulant and an active ingredient available in this drug is Provigil which is also its generic form. This stimulant drug helps to improve wakefulness, and strength to stay focused for a long period with lesser side effects. This smart drug is marketed as a wakefulness-promoting agent.
This drug is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US. Modafinil is a prescription-only drug. The main function of this stimulant is to treat excessive sleepiness caused by narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and several sleep disorders. It is also believed that Modafinil is the prior choice for lots of nootropic drug users. This stimulant is classified as a Schedule IV prescription drug.
What is Vyvanse?
Vyvanse is a central nervous system stimulant. Its effects are felt on the brain and nerve neurotransmitters that help regulate hyperactivity and impulse control. Vyvanse is considered a brand name for lisdexamfetamine (in generic form). This medication is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating ADHD and helps to reduce the symptoms of this disorder like, Impulsiveness and hyperactivity to increase attention.
The secondary role of this drug is that it is used for the treatment of Binge Eating Disorder (BED) in adults whether it’s severe or moderate. This stimulant drug is classified as a Controlled substance Schedule II. The active ingredients available in Vyvanse are lisdexamfetamine dimesylate that have a high potential for drug abuse and use against prescriptions.
Uses of Modafinil and Vyvanse:
Uses of Modafinil For Excessive Sleep Disorder (ESD), Narcolepsy, and Other Sleep Disorders:
Modafinil is an FDA-approved drug commonly used for diagnosing and treating narcolepsy, sleep apnea, hypersomnia, insomnia, excessive sleeping, and many other sleep disorders. This nootropic drug is a prescription-only medication and is recommended only to treat various sleep disorders and narcolepsy. However, it has the potential to be misused, as it is also used off-label for the treatment of ADHD, depression, weight loss, anti-anxiety, etc.
Uses of Vyvanse For Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Binge Eating Disorder (BED):
Vyvanse is categorized in the class of Stimulants. This stimulant drug is approved by the FDA. It is often used for the treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Binge Eating Disorder. In the case of ADHD, this medication helps to improve focus, and attention, control impulsive behavior, and reduce hyperactivity. Whereas, in terms of BED this stimulant can assist in reducing the number of binge eating in individuals.
What are the prescribed doses of Modafinil and Vyvanse?
Dosage of Modafinil:
Modafinil is available in the form of oral tablets. This nootropic drug is available in dosage strengths of 100 mg and 200 mg. This drug is a prescription-only medicine that is classified as a Controlled Substance Class IV. This medication is approved by the FDA. Usually, the prescribed modafinil dosage is started as low and increased gradually to find the right amount for you throughout the length of the course.
Dosage of Vyvanse:
Vyvanse is a stimulant that is also a prescription-only medicine. This stimulant drug is approved by the FDA. This medication is available in the form of oral tablets, capsules, and chewable tablets with varied dosage strengths ranging from 10 mg to 70 mg. The recommended starting dose for adults is 30 mg once in a single day.
Comparison of Modafinil vs Vyvanse – Head-to-head contrast
Modafinil is a prescription-only drug that is prescribed for narcolepsy including various sleep disorders and to improve wakefulness in individuals whereas Vyvanse is one of the first selected medications for the treatment of ADHD and is also used for the treatment of BED in adults. It is also a prescription-only medicine.
The Modafinil drug is considered a Controlled Substance IV since it has a potential for drug abuse and the vyvanse drug is classified as a Controlled Substance CII which means it has a high potential for misuse.
The recommended dosage of Modafinil is suggested to start with a low dosage and increase over time. The dosage of Vyvanse for adults is 30 mg which is to be taken per day. The efficacy of the dosage varies. For children, it might start working within one and a half hours and lasts for 12-13 hours. Whereas, for adults, it might begin in two hours and stay active for 12-14 hours.
Side Effects of Modafinil and Vyvanse:
Modafinil:
Mentioned below are some general side effects:
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Upset Stomach
- Nausea
- Headache
- Anxiety
- Runny nose
- Chest pain
- Weight loss
- Pain – Chest and back
- Nervousness
- Diarrhea
Vyvanse:
The most common side effects are included below:
- Nausea
- Anxious
- Pounding heartbeats
- Vomiting
- Feeling irritated
- Sleep problems
- Diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Numbness
- Constipation
- Fast heart rate
- Loss of appetite
Summary:
Both Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) and Provigil (modafinil) are commonly used to treat narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In the above blog, we have shown the association of sleep problems with ADHD.
Keeping in mind all the information about these two drugs we have determined that the side effects seem to be quite similar but are not identical. However, individuals should take proper guidance from their healthcare experts especially when starting the treatment and altering the dosages. In case of experiencing some worsening symptoms, immediate medical attention is necessitated.
Read More:
Best ADHD Medication For Adults: The Perfect All-In-One Guide