Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The
full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine,
speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I using MODAFINIL VIATRIS?
MODAFINIL VIATRIS contains the active ingredient modafinil. MODAFINIL VIATRIS is used
to improve wakefulness in people with excessive sleepiness associated with the medical
condition known as narcolepsy or with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea/ Hypopnoea Syndrome
(OSAHS), or Shift Work Sleep Disorder (SWSD).
2. What should I know before I use MODAFINIL VIATRIS?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to modafinil or any of the ingredients
listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with MODAFINIL VIATRIS and affect how it works.
4. How do I use MODAFINIL VIATRIS?
The usual daily dose of MODAFINIL VIATRIS depends on individual response.
Use as directed by your doctor.
5. What should I know while using MODAFINIL VIATRIS?
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Things you should do
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Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using MODAFINIL VIATRIS
Confirm by a pregnancy test that you are not pregnant within a week prior to starting
treatment
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Things you should not do
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Do not stop using this medicine suddenly.
Do not give MODAFINIL VIATRIS to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms
as you
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Driving or using machines
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Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how MODAFINIL VIATRIS affects you
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Looking after your medicine
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Store below 25°C
Keep in a cool, dry place and away from direct heat and sunlight
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6. Are there any side effects?
MODAFINIL VIATRIS can cause a serious rash. Stop taking, call your doctor, or get
emergency treatment if you have skin rash, hives, sores in your mouth, or your skin
blisters and peels, or if you have sudden wheeziness, difficulty breathing, swelling,
rash, or itching (especially the whole body).
Active ingredient(s):
[modafinil]
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using MODAFINIL VIATRIS. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using MODAFINIL VIATRIS.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using MODAFINIL VIATRIS?
MODAFINIL VIATRIS contains the active ingredient modafinil.
MODAFINIL VIATRIS is used to improve wakefulness in people with excessive daytime
sleepiness associated with the medical condition known as narcolepsy or with Obstructive
Sleep Apnoea/Hypopnoea Syndrome (OSAHS), or Shift Work Sleep disorder (SWSD).
In narcolepsy, there is a sudden and irresistible tendency to fall asleep during normal
waking hours. This happens at unpredictable times, even when it is inappropriate or
may be unsafe to do so. MODAFINIL VIATRIS decreases this unwanted excessive daytime
sleepiness.
With OSAHS, daytime sleepiness may occur due to an interrupted nighttime sleep. MODAFINIL
VIATRIS only treats the symptom of sleepiness and does not treat the cause of OSAHS.
Whilst taking MODAFINIL VIATRIS you should continue with treatments intended to help
manage your underlying medical condition, such as Continuous Positive Airway Pressure,
unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
If you have been diagnosed with moderate to severe chronic Shift Work Sleep Disorder
(SWSD) and non-drug therapies have been unsuitable or unsuccessful, MODAFINIL VIATRIS
may be prescribed to keep you awake during your work shift.
Precisely how MODAFINIL VIATRIS works is not known, but it is known that it acts on
the central nervous system (the brain). It differs from other stimulant medicines
that promote wakefulness. MODAFINIL VIATRIS increases wakefulness. Unlike other stimulants
it does not overstimulate or produce a "high" feeling.
Your doctor may have prescribed MODAFINIL VIATRIS for another reason. Ask your doctor
if you have any questions about why MODAFINIL VIATRIS has been prescribed for you.
2. What should I know before I use MODAFINIL VIATRIS?
Warnings
Do not use MODAFINIL VIATRIS if:
you are allergic to modafinil or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this
leaflet.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
are pregnant currently, planning to become pregnant or likely to become pregnant or
are breastfeeding.
Check with your doctor if you:
are under 18 or over 65 years old
have a history of mental health problems
have heart problems, including, for example, angina (chest pain), previous heart attack,
enlarged heart
have an abnormal/irregular heart rhythm
have high blood pressure or your high blood pressure is controlled by medication
have kidney or liver problems
are taking hormonal contraceptives
are currently receiving treatment for anxiety.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you could become pregnant, you should confirm by a pregnancy test that you are
not pregnant within a week prior to starting treatment.
Modafinil is suspected to cause birth defects if taken during pregnancy.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with MODAFINIL VIATRIS and affect how it works. These
include:
brain stimulants, such as methylphenidate
any medicines to treat depression, including those called monoamine oxidase inhibitors
(MAOIs)
medicines to treat epilepsy or fits, such as phenytoin, carbamazepine and phenobarbital
medicines to treat fungal infections, such as ketoconazole and itraconazole
medicines to help you sleep (sedatives)
rifampicin, an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis
ciclosporin, a medicine used to stop organ transplant rejection
propranolol, a medicine used to treat high blood pressure, heart problems or migraine
warfarin, a medicine used to prevent unwanted blood clotting
theophylline, a medicine used in asthma and lung problems
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins
or supplements you are taking and if these affect MODAFINIL VIATRIS.
4. How do I use MODAFINIL VIATRIS?
How much to take / use
The usual daily dose of modafinil depends on individual response
For sleepiness associated with narcolepsy or OSAHS, the dose ranges from 200 mg to
400 mg. Each day you can take either
two MODAFINIL VIATRIS tablets; OR
up to four MODAFINIL VIATRIS tablets
For SWSD, a dose of 200 mg is recommended.
Follow the instructions provided and use MODAFINIL VIATRIS until your doctor tells
you to stop.
Do not exceed the recommended daily dose unless directed to do so by your doctor.
When to take / use MODAFINIL VIATRIS
For sleepiness associated with narcolepsy or OSAHS, you should take your MODAFINIL
VIATRIS tablets either:
as two separate doses, one in the morning and one at midday,
as one dose, in the morning.
For narcolepsy or OSAHS, do not take your MODAFINIL VIATRIS tablets later than midday,
or you may have trouble sleeping at night.
For SWSD, you should take your MODAFINIL VIATRIS tablets as a single dose 1 hour prior
to commencing your shift work.
How to take MODAFINIL VIATRIS
swallow tablet whole with a little water
NOTE: Your doctor may start your treatment with less than two tablets a day
If you need more than two tablets per day, your doctor should increase the dose stepwise,
one additional tablet at a time, depending on how you respond to the treatment. The
highest dose is four tablets per day.
If you are currently on another treatment for narcolepsy, your doctor will advise
you how best to withdraw from that treatment and begin taking MODAFINIL VIATRIS. Other
stimulants used for narcolepsy may cause a “high” feeling. Be aware therefore that
you may feel different as you withdraw from other stimulants.
MODAFINIL VIATRIS only treats the symptom of sleepiness. Other treatments intended
to help manage your underlying medical condition should still be used regularly, unless
your doctor tells you otherwise. You should commence or continue disease-modifying
interventions (for example, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure).
REMEMBER: This medicine is only for you. Only a doctor can prescribe it for you. Never
give it to anyone else. It may harm them, even if their symptoms appear to be the
same as yours.
If you forget to use MODAFINIL VIATRIS
MODAFINIL VIATRIS should be used regularly at the same time each day.
If you miss your dose, just take the next dose at your usual time.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
If you use too much MODAFINIL VIATRIS
If you think that you have used too much MODAFINIL VIATRIS, you may need urgent medical
attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling 13 11 26), or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
5. What should I know while using MODAFINIL VIATRIS?
Things you should do
If you could become pregnant, you should confirm by a pregnancy test that you are
not pregnant within a week prior to starting treatment.
Tell your doctor if you are planning to become pregnant.
If you become pregnant while you are taking MODAFINIL VIATRIS, stop taking it and
tell your doctor immediately.
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, tell your doctor and pharmacist
that you are taking MODAFINIL VIATRIS.
Tell your doctor if you believe that MODAFINIL VIATRIS is not helping your condition.
Your doctor may need to change the dose.
Call your doctor straight away if you:
Have any serious side effects listed in Section 6
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using MODAFINIL VIATRIS.
Things you should not do
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly.
Do not give MODAFINIL VIATRIS to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms
as you.
Things to be careful of
MODAFINIL VIATRIS may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives (including
the contraceptive pill, implants, injectables and some intrauterine devices (IUDs)).
If you are using these forms of contraceptives, you should either use an alternative
non-hormonal birth control method together with your current contraceptive while taking
MODAFINIL VIATRIS and for 2 months after you stop treatment with MODAFINIL VIATRIS.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how MODAFINIL
VIATRIS affects you.
MODAFINIL VIATRIS may cause dizziness in some people.
Drinking alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Looking after your medicine
Store MODAFINIL VIATRIS tablets below 25°C
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do
not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on window sills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy
for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
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Less serious side effects
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What to do
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Body as a whole:
headache
runny nose
sore throat
back pain
Digestive system:
nausea
diarrhoea
dry mouth
poor appetite
upset stomach
Nervous system
nervous feeling
dizziness
feeling anxious
trouble sleeping
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Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry
you.
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Serious side effects
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Serious side effects
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What to do
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Other serious side effects:
mental (psychiatric) symptoms. including depression, anxiety, aggression, agitation,
irritability, hallucinations, mania, thoughts of suicide or other mental problems.
chest pain or abnormal heart beats
fits or convulsions
MODAFINIL VIATRIS may cause a serious rash:
skin rash, hives, sores in your mouth, or your skin blisters and peels,
swelling of your face, eyes, lips, tongue or throat,
trouble swallowing or breathing
fever, shortness of breath, swelling of the legs, yellowing of the skin or white of
the eyes or dark urine.
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Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your
nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects.
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Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What MODAFINIL VIATRIS contains
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Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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Modafinil 100 mg
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
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Lactose monohydrate
Microcrystalline cellulose
Mannitol
Crospovidone
Povidone
Magnesium stearate
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Potential allergens
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Sugars as lactose
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Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What MODAFINIL VIATRIS looks like
MODAFINIL VIATRIS tablets are white to off-white, capsule shape, biconvex, uncoated
tablets with 'L233' debossed on one side and plain on the other side (Aust R 395231).
MODAFINIL VIATRIS 100 mg tablets are available in packs of 30 and 60 tablets.
Not all presentations are available.
Who distributes MODAFINIL VIATRIS
Sponsor
Helix Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd
C/-EGA Corporate Advisers Pty Ltd
Level 12, 468 St Kilda Rd
Melbourne VIC 3004
Distributor
Alphapharm Pty Ltd trading as Viatris
Level 1, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
Phone: 1800 274 276
This leaflet was prepared in July 2023.