Consumer medicine information

Modavigil (Teva)

Modafinil

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Modavigil

Active ingredient

Modafinil

Schedule

S4

 

Consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start using Modavigil (Teva).

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about MODAVIGIL tablets. As this leaflet does not contain all the available information, it is important that you talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you receiving MODAVIGIL against the benefits this medicine is expected to have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.

What MODAVIGIL is used for

MODAVIGIL 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. MODAVIGIL decreases this unwanted excessive daytime sleepiness.

With OSAHS, daytime sleepiness may occur due to an interrupted night time sleep. MODAVIGIL only treats the symptom of sleepiness and does not treat the cause of OSAHS. Whilst taking MODAVIGIL 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, MODAVIGIL may be prescribed to keep you awake during your work shift.

Precisely how MODAVIGIL 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. MODAVIGIL increases wakefulness.

Your doctor may have prescribed MODAVIGIL for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why MODAVIGIL has been prescribed for you.

Before you take MODAVIGIL

When you must not take it

You must not take MODAVIGIL if you:

  • are allergic to modafinil or any of the other ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. (See "MODAVIGIL tablets description"). Signs of allergic reaction may include a skin rash, itching, shortness of breath or swelling of the face, lips or tongue
  • are pregnant currently, planning to become pregnant or likely to become pregnant or are 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.

Do not take MODAVIGIL if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering or the tablets do not look quite right.

Do not take MODAVIGIL if the expiry date on the pack has passed.

If you are not sure about whether you should start taking MODAVIGIL, you should contact your doctor.

Before you take it

Before you start taking MODAVIGIL you should discuss with your doctor any of the following points which apply to you. 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 pregnant, could become pregnant or are planning to become pregnant
  • are currently receiving treatment for anxiety
  • are breastfeeding
  • are taking brain stimulants, such as methylphenidate
  • are taking any medicines to treat depression, including those called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
  • are taking medicines to treat epilepsy or fits, such as phenytoin, carbamazepine and phenobarbitone
  • are taking medicines to treat fungal infections, such as ketoconazole and itraconazole
  • are taking medicines to help you sleep (sedatives)
  • are taking rifampicin, an antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis
  • are taking cyclosporin, a medicine used to stop organ transplant rejection
  • are taking propranolol, a medicine used to treat, for example, high blood pressure, heart problems or migraine
  • are taking warfarin, a medicine used to prevent unwanted blood clotting
  • are taking theophylline, a medicine used in asthma and lung problems
  • are taking any other medicines, including any available without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop

Tell your doctor about any of the above before you take MODAVIGIL. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using MODAVIGIL.

How to take MODAVIGIL

It is important that you take this medicine as directed by the doctor. Your doctor will tell you how much you should take, when and how often. Follow your doctor's instructions. If you are unsure ask your doctor or pharmacist.

How much should you take

Each MODAVIGIL tablet contains 100mg of modafinil.

The usual daily dose of modafinil depends on individual response. For sleepiness associated with narcolepsy or OSAHS, the dose ranges from 200mg to 400mg.

Each day you should take either:

  • two MODAVIGIL tablets
    or
  • up to four MODAVIGIL tablets.

For SWSD, a dose of 200mg is recommended.

Do not exceed the recommended daily dose unless directed to do so by your doctor.

When and how should you take the tablets

For sleepiness associated with narcolepsy or OSAHS, you should take your MODAVIGIL tablets either:

  • as two separate doses, one in the morning and one at midday,
    or
  • as one dose, in the morning.

For narcolepsy or OSAHS, do not take your MODAVIGIL tablets later than midday, or you may have trouble sleeping at night.

For SWSD, you should take your MODAVIGIL tablets as a single dose 1 hour prior to commencing your shift work.

Swallow the tablets 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 MODAVIGIL. Other stimulants used for narcolepsy may cause a “high” feeling. Be aware therefore that you may feel different as you withdraw from other stimulants.

MODAVIGIL 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 take it

If you miss a dose of MODAVIGIL tablets, just take the next dose at your usual time. Do not take an extra dose to “catch up”.

While you are taking MODAVIGIL

Things you must 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 MODAVIGIL, 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 MODAVIGIL.

Tell your doctor if you believe that MODAVIGIL is not helping your condition. Your doctor may need to change the dose.

Things you must not do

Do not give MODAVIGIL to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you.

Things to be careful of

MODAVIGIL may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives (including the contraceptive pill, implants, injectables and some intrauterine devices (IUDs)).

If you are using hormonal contraception, you should use an alternative non-hormonal method of birth control together with your current contraceptive whilst taking MODAVIGIL and for 2 months after you stop treatment with MODAVIGIL.

Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how MODAVIGIL affects you.

Side Effects

MODAVIGIL may cause you to have a serious rash.

Stop MODAVIGIL and call your doctor right away or get emergency treatment if you have a skin rash, hives, sores in your mouth, or your skin blisters and peels, or if you have any sudden wheeziness, difficulty in breathing, swelling, rash or itching (especially affecting the whole body).

MODAVIGIL may cause the following side effects in some people. In clinical studies, these side effects also occurred in people who received non-active (sugar) tablets. Tell your doctor if you notice any of these:

  • headache
  • nausea
  • diarrhoea
  • dry mouth
  • poor appetite
  • runny nose
  • sore throat
  • nervous feeling
  • dizziness
  • back pain
  • feeling anxious
  • upset stomach
  • trouble sleeping

Tell your doctor immediately if any of the following occur:

  • 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.
  • 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

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor if you notice anything that makes you feel unwell. Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.

Overdosage

Immediately telephone your doctor, or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26 in Australia or 0800 764 766 in New Zealand), or go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital, if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much MODAVIGIL. Do this, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

MODAVIGIL tablets description

Each MODAVIGIL tablet contains 100mg of modafinil.

Each tablet also contains the following inactive ingredients:

  • lactose
  • starch- pre-gelatinised maize
  • microcrystalline cellulose
  • sodium croscarmellose
  • povidone
  • magnesium stearate.

MODAVIGIL tablets are white, capsule-shaped, debossed with “100” on one side.

Each pack contains either 10, 30 or 60 tablets.

Storage

Keep MODAVIGIL tablets in the original pack until it is time to take them.

Store MODAVIGIL tablets below 25°C. Keep the pack in a cool, dry place and away from direct heat and sunlight.

Do not store MODAVIGIL tablets in the bathroom or near a sink.

Keep MODAVIGIL tablets where children cannot reach them. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

The Australian Registration Number is AUST R 168497.

This is not all the information available on MODAVIGIL. If you have any more questions or are unsure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

MODAVIGIL is supplied in Australia by:

Teva Pharma Australia Pty Limited
37 Epping Rd.
Macquarie park
NSW 2113
Australia
1800 288 382
www.tevapharma.com.au

and in New Zealand by:

Teva Pharma New Zealand Ltd
Auckland, 1541
New Zealand

This leaflet was prepared in February 2020.

MODAVIGIL® is a registered trademark owned by Cephalon, Inc.

Published by MIMS April 2020

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Modavigil

Active ingredient

Modafinil

Schedule

S4

 

1 Name of Medicine

Modafinil.

2 Qualitative and Quantitative Composition

Modavigil (modafinil) is a wakefulness-promoting agent. Each Modavigil tablet contains 100 mg of modafinil. Contains lactose monohydrate. For the full list of excipients, see Section 6.1 List of Excipients.

3 Pharmaceutical Form

Modavigil is a tablet debossed with "100" on one side.

4 Clinical Particulars

4.1 Therapeutic Indications

Modavigil is indicated:
to improve wakefulness in patients with excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy;
to treat excessive sleepiness associated with moderate to severe chronic shift work sleep disorder where nonpharmacological interventions are unsuccessful or inappropriate;
as an adjunct to continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) in obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome in order to improve wakefulness.

4.2 Dose and Method of Administration

Modavigil should be used only in patients who have had a complete evaluation of their excessive sleepiness and in whom a diagnosis of either narcolepsy, OSAHS and/or SWSD has been made in accordance with ICSD or DSM diagnostic criteria. Such an evaluation usually consists of a complete history and physical examination, and testing in a laboratory setting. Some patients may have more than one sleep disorder contributing to their excessive sleepiness (e.g. OSAHS and SWSD coincident in the same patient) (see Section 5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties, Clinical trials).
Treatment with Modavigil should be initiated and supervised by physicians with appropriate experience in the treatment of sleep disorders who have access to sleep laboratory diagnostic facilities.
Modavigil is for oral administration.

Narcolepsy.

The dose of Modavigil is 200 to 400 mg/day, given as a single dose in the morning, or as two divided doses, in the morning and at noon. Tablets should be swallowed whole.
Doses of 400 mg/day have been well tolerated, but there is no statistically significant evidence that this dose confers additional benefit beyond that of the 200 mg dose.
For patients who require more than 200 mg/day, the dose should be increased to a maximum of 400 mg/day in increments of 100 mg as needed and tolerated.

Obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome.

In OSAHS, Modavigil is indicated as an adjunct to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). A maximal effort to treat with CPAP for an adequate period of time should be made prior to initiating Modavigil. If Modavigil is used adjunctively with CPAP, the encouragement of and periodic assessment of CPAP compliance is necessary.
The dose of Modavigil is 200 to 400 mg/day, given as a single dose in the morning or as two divided doses, in the morning and at noon. Tablets should be swallowed whole.
Doses of 400 mg/day have been well tolerated, but there is no statistically significant evidence that this dose confers additional benefit beyond that of the 200 mg dose.
For patients who require more than 200 mg/day, the dose should be increased to a maximum of 400 mg/day, in increments of 100 mg as needed and tolerated.

Moderate to severe chronic shift work sleep disorder.

The recommended daily dose is 200 mg. Modavigil should be taken as a single dose approximately 1 hour prior to the start of the work shift. Tablets should be swallowed whole.

Dosing in special populations.

In patients with severe hepatic impairment, the dose of Modavigil should be reduced to one-half of that recommended for patients with normal hepatic function (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).
There is inadequate information to determine safety and efficacy of Modavigil dosing in patients with severe renal impairment (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).
In elderly patients, elimination of Modavigil and its metabolites may be reduced as a consequence of aging. Therefore, consideration should be given to the use of lower doses in this population (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).

4.3 Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to modafinil or any other component of the product.
Patients who are pregnant or may become pregnant.

4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use

General.

Although modafinil has not been shown to produce functional impairment, any drug affecting the CNS may alter judgment, thinking or motor skills. Patients with major anxiety should only receive treatment with Modavigil in a specialist unit.
If a hypersensitivity reaction is suspected, Modavigil treatment should be discontinued.
In patients with obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome, the underlying condition and any associated cardiovascular pathology should be monitored.
Patients should be advised that Modavigil is not a replacement for sleep and good sleep hygiene should be maintained.

Serious skin rash, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Serious rash requiring hospitalisation and discontinuation of treatment has been reported in adults and children in association with the use of modafinil.
Modafinil is not approved for use in pediatric patients for any indication.
In clinical trials of modafinil, the incidence of rash resulting in discontinuation was approximately 0.8% (13 per 1,585) in pediatric patients (age < 17 years); these rashes included one case of possible Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and one case of apparent multiorgan hypersensitivity reaction. Several of the cases were associated with fever and other abnormalities (e.g. vomiting, leukopenia). The median time to rash that resulted in discontinuation was 13 days. No such cases were observed among 380 pediatric patients who received placebo. No serious skin rashes have been reported in adult clinical trials (0 per 4,264) of modafinil.
Rare cases of serious or life threatening rash, including SJS, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) have been reported in adults and children in worldwide postmarketing experience (see Section 4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects), Postmarketing experience). The reporting rate of TEN and SJS associated with modafinil use, which is generally accepted to be an underestimate due to under-reporting, exceeds the background incidence rate. Estimates of the background incidence rate for these serious skin reactions in the general population range between 1 to 2 cases per million person years.
While little is known about factors that can predict the risk of occurrence or the severity of rash associated with modafinil, the risk may increase with higher doses. Nearly all cases of serious rash associated with modafinil occurred within 1 to 5 weeks after treatment initiation. However, isolated cases have been reported after prolonged treatment (e.g. 3 months). Accordingly, duration of therapy cannot be relied upon as a means to predict the potential risk heralded by the first appearance of a rash.
Although benign rashes also occur with modafinil, it is not possible to reliably predict which rashes will prove to be serious. Accordingly, modafinil should ordinarily be discontinued at the first sign of rash, unless the rash is clearly not drug related. Discontinuation of treatment may not prevent a rash from becoming life threatening or permanently disabling or disfiguring.

Multiorgan hypersensitivity reactions.

Multiorgan hypersensitivity reactions have occurred in close temporal association to the initiation of modafinil. Although there have only been a limited number of reports, multiorgan hypersensitivity reactions may result in hospitalization or be life threatening. There are no factors that are known to predict the risk of occurrence or the severity of multiorgan hypersensitivity reactions associated with modafinil. Signs and symptoms of these reactions were diverse; however, patients typically, although not exclusively, presented with fever and rash associated with other organ system involvement. Other associated manifestations included myocarditis, hepatitis, liver function test abnormalities, haematological abnormalities (e.g. eosinophilia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia), pruritus, and asthenia. Because multiorgan hypersensitivity is variable in its expression, other organ system symptoms and signs, not noted here, may occur.
If a multiorgan hypersensitivity reaction is suspected, Modavigil should be discontinued and not restarted. Although there are no case reports to indicate cross sensitivity with other drugs that produce this syndrome, the experience with drugs associated with multiorgan hypersensitivity would indicate this to be a possibility.

Psychiatric symptoms and disorders.

Psychiatric adverse experiences have been reported in patients treated with modafinil. in clinical trials and from postmarketing experience. Patients should be monitored for the development of de novo psychiatric disorders or exacerbation of pre-existing psychiatric disorders at every adjustment of dose and regularly during treatment. If psychiatric symptoms develop in association with modafinil treatment, discontinuation of modafinil may be required. Caution should be exercised in giving modafinil to patients with a history of psychiatric disorders including psychosis, depression, mania, major anxiety, agitation, insomnia or substance abuse.

Aggressive or hostile behaviour.

The onset or worsening of aggressive or hostile behaviour has been reported in patients treated with modafinil. Patients treated with modafinil should be carefully monitored for the appearance or worsening of aggressive or hostile behaviour. If symptoms occur, modafinil should be discontinued.

Suicidal ideation and suicide related behaviour.

Suicidal ideation and suicide related behaviour (including suicide attempts) have been reported in patients treated with modafinil. Patients treated with modafinil should be carefully monitored for the appearance or worsening of suicidal thinking and/or suicide related behaviour. If suicide related symptoms develop in association with modafinil, treatment should be discontinued.

Psychotic or manic symptoms.

The onset or worsening of psychotic symptoms or manic symptoms (including hallucinations, delusions, agitation or mania) has been reported in patients treated with modafinil. Patients treated with modafinil should be carefully monitored for the appearance or worsening of psychotic or manic symptoms. If psychotic or manic symptoms occur, modafinil should be discontinued.

Bipolar disorders.

Care should be taken in using modafinil in patients with comorbid bipolar disorder because of concern for possible precipitation of a mixed/ manic episode in such patients.

Depression.

The onset of depression or the aggravation of underlying depressive disorder has been reported in patients treated with modafinil. Patients treated with modafinil should be carefully monitored for the appearance of or worsening of depression.

Anxiety.

The onset or worsening of anxiety has been reported in patients treated. Anxiety and nervousness are adverse events that appear to be closely dose related.

Cardiovascular system.

In hypertensive patients, blood pressure should be adequately controlled before initiating treatment with modafinil and monitored regularly during treatment. Blood pressure, heart rate and general cardiovascular status should be monitored in all patients during treatment with Modavigil.
In clinical studies of Modavigil, signs and symptoms including chest pain, palpitations, dyspnoea and transient ischaemic T-wave changes on ECG were observed in three subjects in association with mitral valve prolapse or left ventricular hypertrophy. It is recommended that Modavigil not be used in patients with a history of left ventricular hypertrophy or ischaemic ECG changes, chest pain, arrhythmia or other clinically significant manifestations of mitral valve prolapse in association with CNS stimulant use.
The safety of Modavigil has not been established in patients with coronary artery disease, a recent history of myocardial infarction or unstable angina. Patients with these conditions were not included in the controlled clinical trials. Postmarketing adverse events of ischaemic heart disease have been reported in patients with and without a history of cardiovascular disease while being treated with Modavigil. The risks of using Modavigil in patients with coronary artery disease, a recent history of myocardial infarction or unstable angina should be carefully weighed against the potential therapeutic benefit. It is recommended that such patients receive further specialist evaluation before Modavigil treatment is considered.
Postmarketing adverse events of cardiac arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation and premature ventricular contractions, have been reported in patients treated with Modavigil. In some of these cases there was a close temporal association to the use of Modavigil, a resolution of the arrhythmia upon drug discontinuation and, in a few cases, a recurrence of arrhythmia after Modavigil rechallenge. It is recommended that patients have an ECG before Modavigil is initiated. Patients with abnormal findings should receive further specialist evaluation before Modavigil treatment is considered.

Dose dependency and adverse effects.

The development of skin and hypersensitivity reactions, central nervous system, psychiatric and cardiovascular system adverse reactions appear to be related to higher doses of modafinil. Cardiovascular and central nervous system adverse reactions increase significantly after a total daily dose of more than 400 mg. Always start at the lowest recommended dose (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration).

Patients (women) using contraception.

Based on postmarketing reports, modafinil may cause fetal harm and is contraindicated in women who are pregnant or may become pregnant (see Section 4.3 Contraindications; Section 4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation). Females of reproductive potential should have a negative pregnancy test within a week prior to starting treatment with modafinil.
Sexually active women of childbearing potential should be established on a contraceptive program before taking Modavigil. The effectiveness of steroidal contraceptives (including the contraceptive pill, implants, injectables and hormone releasing intrauterine devices [IUDs]) may be reduced when used with Modavigil and after discontinuation of Modavigil therapy due to the enzyme induction activity of Modavigil. Alternative or concomitant methods of contraception are recommended for patients treated with Modavigil and for two months after discontinuation of treatment (see Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions).

Abuse and dependence potential.

In addition to its wakefulness promoting effect and increased locomotor activity in animals, in humans, Modavigil may produce psychoactive and euphoric effects, alterations in mood, perception, thinking and feelings. In in vitro binding studies, modafinil binds with low affinity to the dopamine reuptake site and causes an increase in extracellular dopamine, but no increase in dopamine release. Modafinil is reinforcing, as evidenced by its self administration in monkeys previously trained to self administer cocaine. In some studies, modafinil was also partially discriminated as stimulant-like. Caution should be exercised in administering modafinil to patients with history of alcohol, drug or illicit substance abuse. Patients with such history should be monitored for signs of misuse or abuse (e.g. increasing the recommended dosage).

Withdrawal.

In one US phase 3 clinical trial of nine weeks of Modavigil use, the effects of modafinil cessation were monitored for 14 days. No specific symptoms of withdrawal were observed during the 14 days; however, sleepiness returned in patients with narcolepsy.

Use in hepatic impairment.

Hepatic Impairment: The dose of Modavigil should be reduced by half in patients with severe hepatic impairment (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration).

Use in renal impairment.

In a single-dose 200 mg modafinil study, severe chronic renal failure (creatinine clearance ≤ 20 mL/min) did not significantly influence the pharmacokinetics of modafinil, but exposure to modafinil acid (an inactive metabolite) was increased 9-fold (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration).

Use in the elderly.

There are no satisfactory data on the safety and efficacy of Modavigil in patients ≥ 65 years of age. The clearance of modafinil may be reduced in the elderly (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration).

Paediatric use.

The efficacy and safety of Modavigil in this age group has not been established. Modavigil is not approved for use in paediatric patients for any indication. The use of Modavigil in this age group is not recommended. Neuropsychiatric and serious skin reactions have been reported in children and adolescents treated with Modavigil.

Effects on laboratory tests.

No data available.

4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions

CNS active drugs.

Methylphenidate.

The absorption of Modavigil may be delayed by approximately one hour when coadministered with methylphenidate.

Clomipramine.

The coadministration of a single dose of clomipramine (50 mg) on the first three days of treatment with modafinil (200 mg/day) in healthy volunteers did not show an effect on the pharmacokinetics of either drug. However, one incident of increased levels of clomipramine and its active metabolite desmethylclomipramine has been reported in a CYP2D6 poor metabolizer with narcolepsy during treatment with modafinil. (See Potential interactions with drugs that inhibit, induce, or are metabolised by cytochrome P450 isoenzymes and other hepatic enzymes.)

Triazolam.

In healthy, female volunteers, who were receiving long-term treatment with ethinyl estradiol, the coadministration of two single doses of 0.125 mg of triazolam (one administered before and the other at the end of treatment) with modafinil (200 mg for seven days, followed by 400 mg for 21 days) indicated that, for triazolam, the Cmax and AUC0-∞ were reduced by 59% and 42%, respectively, and the elimination rate was increased by approximately 50%. Therefore, dosage adjustment of triazolam may be necessary when coadministered with Modavigil.

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors.

Interaction studies with monoamine oxidase inhibitors have not been performed. Therefore, caution should be used when concomitantly administering MAO inhibitors and Modavigil.

Potential interactions with drugs that inhibit, induce, or are metabolised by cytochrome P450 isoenzymes and other hepatic enzymes.

Diazepam, phenytoin, propranolol, tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

Because modafinil is a reversible inhibitor of the drug metabolising enzyme CYP2C19, coadministration of Modavigil with drugs such as diazepam, phenytoin, and propranolol, which are largely eliminated via that pathway, may increase the circulating levels of those compounds. In addition, in individuals deficient in the enzyme CYP2D6, the levels of CYP2D6 substrates such as tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which have ancillary routes of elimination through CYP2C19, may be increased by coadministration of modafinil. Dose adjustments may be necessary for patients being treated with these and similar medications.

Steroidal contraceptives, cyclosporin, theophylline.

Chronic administration of Modavigil also causes modest induction of the metabolising enzyme CYP3A4, thus reducing the levels of coadministered substrates for that enzyme system, such as steroidal contraceptives, cyclosporin and, to a lesser degree, theophylline. Dose adjustments may be necessary for patients being treated with these and similar medications.

Inducers or inhibitors of CYP3A4.

Coadministration of potent inducers of CYP3A4 (e.g. carbamazepine, phenobarbital, rifampicin) or inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole) could alter the levels of modafinil due to the partial involvement of that enzyme in the metabolic elimination of the compound (see Patients (women) using contraception).

Warfarin, phenytoin.

The exposure of human hepatocytes to modafinil in vitro produced an apparent concentration related suppression of expression of CYP2C9 activity. The clinical relevance of this finding is unclear, since no other indication of CYP2C9 suppression has been observed. However, monitoring of prothrombin times is suggested as a precaution for the first several months of coadministration of Modavigil and warfarin, a CYP2C9 substrate, and thereafter whenever Modavigil dosing is changed. In addition, patients receiving Modavigil and phenytoin, a CYP2C9 substrate, concomitantly should be monitored for signs of phenytoin toxicity.
It should be noted that evaluation of drug interactions based on in vitro systems might not necessarily reflect those seen in in vivo situations. This information should be used as a guide to assess the risks associated with the use of concomitant medications.

4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation

Effects on fertility.

No effects on fertility were observed in male or female rats treated with modafinil prior and throughout mating and gestation at oral doses up to 100 mg/kg/day (the highest dose investigated would have achieved systemic exposure levels less than human exposure at the maximum recommended dose). However, sufficiently high enough doses or large enough sample sizes to adequately assess effects on fertility were not used in the study.
Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity.
(Category D)
Modafinil is suspected to cause congenital malformations when administered during pregnancy. There are no adequate and well-controlled trials with Modavigil in pregnant women. Based on interim data from a pregnancy registry, the rate of major congenital malformations (e.g. cardiac anomalies, microcephaly) with armodafinil/modafinil) is approximately 17.3% compared to 3% in the general population. There have also been reports of spontaneous abortion and intrauterine growth restriction in association with modafinil. Modavigil should therefore not be used during pregnancy (see Section 4.3 Contraindications; Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).
Patients should be cautioned regarding the potential increased risk of pregnancy when using steroidal contraceptives (including the contraceptive pill, implants, injectables and hormone releasing intrauterine devices [IUDs]) with Modavigil and for two months after discontinuation of therapy (see Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions).
Animal studies to assess the effects of modafinil on reproduction and the developing foetus were not conducted at adequately high doses or according to guidelines which would have been able to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the potential of modafinil to adversely affect fertility, or cause embryolethality or teratogenicity.
Embryotoxicity, in the absence of maternal toxicity, was observed in rats receiving oral modafinil throughout the period of organogenesis. At a dose of 200 mg/kg/day (less than human exposure at the maximum recommended daily clinical dose of 400 mg), there was an increase in resorption, hydronephrosis and skeletal variations. The no effect dose for these effects was 100 mg/kg/day. Embryotoxicity was not observed in rabbits receiving oral modafinil throughout organogenesis at doses up to 100 mg/kg/day (0.6 times the human exposure at the maximum recommended daily dose of 400 mg, based on AUC). However, neither of these studies used optimal doses for the evaluation of embryotoxicity. Although a threshold dose for embryotoxicity has been identified, the full spectrum of potential toxic effects on the foetus has not been characterised. Modafinil was embryotoxic in rats dosed during late gestation and lactation, or prior to and throughout mating and gestation, at oral doses ≥ 50 mg/kg/day; the no effect dose was 20 mg/kg/day (less than human exposure at the maximum recommended clinical daily dose of 400 mg).
No developmental toxicity was noted postnatally in the offspring of rats given oral modafinil up to 100 mg/kg/day during late gestation and throughout lactation. The highest dose studied in these studies would have achieved systemic exposure levels less than human exposure at the maximum recommended dose.
Modafinil and/or its metabolites have been found in the milk of lactating rats. It is not known whether modafinil or its metabolites are excreted in human milk. Therefore, breastfeeding is not recommended during administration of modafinil.

4.7 Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines

Patients should be cautioned about operating an automobile or other hazardous machinery until they are reasonably certain that Modavigil therapy will not adversely affect their ability to engage in such activities.

4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)

Reporting suspected adverse effects.

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after registration of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit-risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems.

Adverse effects.

Modafinil has been evaluated for safety in over 3500 patients, of whom more than 2000 patients with excessive sleepiness associated with primary disorders of sleep and wakefulness were given at least one dose of modafinil. In clinical trials, modafinil has been found to be generally well tolerated and most adverse experiences were mild to moderate.
The most commonly observed adverse events (≥ 5%) associated with the use of Modavigil more frequently than placebo treated patients in the placebo controlled clinical studies in primary disorders of sleep and wakefulness were headache, nausea, nervousness, rhinitis, diarrhoea, back pain, anxiety, insomnia, dizziness, and dyspepsia. The adverse event profile was similar across these studies.
In the placebo controlled clinical trials, 74 of the 934 patients (8%) who received Modavigil discontinued due to an adverse experience compared to 3% of patients that received placebo. The most frequent reasons for discontinuation that occurred at a higher rate for Modavigil than placebo patients were headache (2%), nausea, anxiety, dizziness, insomnia, chest pain and nervousness (each < 1%). In a Canadian clinical trial, a 35 year old obese narcoleptic male with a prior history of syncopal episodes experienced a 9 second episode of asystole after 27 days of modafinil treatment (300 mg/day in divided doses).

Incidence in controlled trials.

Table 1 presents the adverse experiences that occurred at a rate of 1% or more and were more frequent in patients treated with Modavigil than in placebo patients in the principal, placebo controlled clinical trials.
The prescriber should be aware that the figures provided below cannot be used to predict the frequency of adverse experiences in the course of usual medical practice, where patient characteristics and other factors may differ from those occurring during clinical studies. Similarly, the cited frequencies cannot be directly compared with figures obtained from other clinical investigations involving different treatments, uses, or investigators. Review of these frequencies, however, provides prescribers with a basis to estimate the relative contribution of drug and nondrug factors to the incidence of adverse events in the population studied.

Postmarketing experience.

Postmarketing experience for Modavigil, principally from spontaneous reporting based on reporting rates and not incidence rates, has documented the following adverse events.
Common: 1/100 to < 1/10; uncommon: 1/1,000 to < 1/100; rare: 1/10,000 to < 1/1,000; very rare: < 1/10,000.

Cardiac disorders.

Rare: palpitations.
Very rare: ischaemic heart disease, cardiac arrhythmias.

Gastrointestinal disorders.

Rare: dry mouth, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain.

General disorders.

Rare: tolerance, chest pain, lack of efficacy, condition aggravated, malaise, fatigue.
Very rare: oedema.

Immune system disorders.

Very rare: multiorgan system hypersensitivity reactions, urticaria (hives), angioedema, anaphylaxis.

Investigations.

Rare: increased hepatic enzymes, increased gamma-GT, weight increase, weight decrease, blood pressure increased.
Very rare: abnormal ECG.

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders.

Rare: muscle weakness.

Nervous system disorders.

Uncommon: headache.
Rare: dizziness, tremor, paraesthesia, dyskinesia.
Very rare: dyskinesias, including reports of tardive dyskinesia; convulsions.

Psychiatric disorders.

Rare: nervousness, agitation, irritability, psychomotor hyperactivity, depression, anxiety, confusion, insomnia, suicide attempt, aggravated depression, psychosis, mania, delusions, hallucinations, suicidal ideation, thinking abnormal and aggression.

Renal and urinary disorders.

Rare: foul urine odour.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders.

Rare: rash, acne, eczema, pruritus.
Very rare: serious or life threatening rash, including erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug rash with eosinophilia and system symptoms (DRESS), and hyperhidrosis.

Vascular disorders.

Rare: hypertension.

4.9 Overdose

For information on the management of overdose, contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 (Australia).

Symptoms.

A small number of individuals have each taken Modavigil at doses of 1000 mg/day (2.5 times the maximum recommended daily dose of 400 mg) or more. The adverse experiences observed were limited, expected and non-life threatening, and the patients recovered fully by the following day. The adverse experiences included excitation or agitation, insomnia and slight or moderate elevations in haemodynamic parameters. No specific organ toxicities were observed. Other observed high dose effects in clinical studies have included anxiety, irritability, aggressiveness, confusion, nervousness, tremor, palpitations, sleep disturbances, nausea, diarrhoea and decreased prothrombin time.
Death has occurred with modafinil overdose alone or in combination with other drugs.
Symptoms accompanying modafinil overdose, alone or in combination with other drugs, have included: insomnia; central nervous system symptoms such as restlessness, disorientation, confusion, agitation, anxiety, excitation and hallucination; digestive changes such as nausea and diarrhea; and cardiovascular changes such as tachycardia, bradycardia, hypertension and chest pain.

Management.

Management of overdosage is primarily symptomatic, as no specific antidote to the toxic effects of modafinil overdose has been identified. Overdoses should be managed empirically, with supportive care, including cardiovascular monitoring.

5 Pharmacological Properties

5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties

Mechanism of action.

The precise mechanism(s) through which modafinil promotes wakefulness is unknown. Modafinil has wake promoting actions but a pharmacological profile that is distinct from sympathomimetic amines, which increase wakefulness by other mechanisms.
Modafinil does not bind to most of the potentially relevant receptors for sleep/ wake regulation, including those for noradrenaline, serotonin, dopamine, GABA, adenosine, histamine-3 and benzodiazepines. Modafinil is not a direct or indirect acting dopamine receptor agonist and is inactive in several in vivo preclinical models capable of detecting enhanced dopaminergic activity. In vitro, modafinil binds to the dopamine reuptake site with low affinity and causes an increase in extracellular dopamine, but no increase in dopamine release. Modafinil does not appear to be a direct or indirect α1-adrenergic agonist. Although modafinil induced wakefulness can be attenuated by the α1-adrenergic receptor antagonist prazosin, modafinil has no activity in assay systems known to be responsive to the α-adrenergic agonists.
In rats, the wakefulness induced by amphetamine, but not modafinil, was antagonised by the dopamine receptor antagonist haloperidol. In cats, modafinil evoked neuronal activation in brain regions different from methylphenidate and amphetamine. Modafinil served as a positive reinforcer for cocaine in monkeys and was partially discriminated as stimulant-like in rats (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use, Abuse and dependence potential).
The optical enantiomers of modafinil have similar pharmacological actions in mice, but have not been studied individually in humans. The two major metabolites of modafinil, modafinil acid and modafinil sulfone, showed little CNS activating activity in animal studies.
Modafinil in humans restores and/or improves the level of wakefulness. Changes are found in electrophysiological parameters reflecting alertness (ratio of power of alpha rhythm to power of theta rhythm), starting from a dose of 100 mg in the morning. An increase is seen in latency periods in the multiple sleep latency test, starting from 200 mg in the morning. Modafinil opposes the impairment of cognitive (in particular, memory), psychomotor and neurosensory performance induced by sleep deprivation. This activity is observed in the absence of any modifications of appetite or behaviour.
Morning administration of 200 mg does not appear to affect nocturnal sleep. Administration of 100 mg morning and noon may prolong the subjective time taken to fall asleep. Evening administration may disturb sleep. This pharmacodynamic activity does not appear to affect the autonomic nervous system.

Clinical trials.

Studies reported here were multicenter, randomised, double blind, placebo controlled parallel group clinical trials. The efficacy criteria reported for the trials included:
Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), which quantitatively measures the patient's ability to resist sleep and maintain wakefulness. The patients were asked to attempt to remain awake without using extraordinary measures. The test was terminated after 20 minutes if no sleep occurred or 10 minutes after sleep onset.
Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGI-C), which is a 7 point scale ranging from 'very much worse' to 'very much improved' from baseline; it was assessed by an independent clinician who had no access to any data about the patients other than a measure of their baseline severity.
Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), which is a recall based questionnaire devised to provide a measurement of the subject's general level of day to day sleepiness or, preferably, sleep propensity.

Narcolepsy.

The effectiveness of Modavigil in reducing the excessive sleepiness (ES) associated with narcolepsy was established in two US 9 week, multicentre, placebo controlled, two dose (200 mg per day and 400 mg per day) parallel group, double blind studies of outpatients who met the ICD-9 and American Sleep Disorders Association criteria for narcolepsy (which are also consistent with the American Psychiatric Association DSM-IV criteria). These criteria include either:
recurrent daytime naps or lapses into sleep that occur almost daily for at least three months, plus sudden bilateral loss of postural muscle tone in association with intense emotion (cataplexy); or
a complaint of excessive sleepiness or sudden muscle weakness with associated features: sleep paralysis, hypnagogic hallucinations, automatic behaviours, disrupted major sleep episode; and polysomnography demonstrating one of the following: sleep latency less than ten minutes or rapid eye movement (REM) sleep latency less than 20 minutes.
In addition, for entry into these studies, all patients were required to have objectively documented excessive daytime sleepiness, a Multiple Sleep Latency Test with two or more sleep onset REM periods, and the absence of any clinically significant active medical or psychiatric disorder.
In both studies, the primary measures of effectiveness were 1) sleep latency, as assessed by the MWT; and 2) the change in the patient's overall disease status, as measured by the CGI-C. For a successful trial, both measures had to show significant improvement.
Patients in both Modavigil treatment groups were able to stay awake longer than those receiving placebo, and were rated by an independent clinician as having a significant improvement in illness. A statistically significantly enhanced ability to remain awake was shown on the MWT and the CGI-C scale (see Tables 2 and 3).

Obstructive sleep apnoea/hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS).

The results from two major phase 3 clinical trials of modafinil in patients with OSAHS are presented in Tables 2 and 3. The effectiveness of Modavigil in reducing the excessive sleepiness associated with OSAHS was established in two clinical trials. In both studies, patients were enrolled who met the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD) criteria for OSAHS (which are also consistent with the American Psychiatric Association DSM-IV criteria). These criteria include either 1) excessive sleepiness or insomnia, plus frequent episodes of impaired breathing during sleep, and associated features, such as loud snoring, morning headaches and dry mouth, upon awakening; or 2) excessive sleepiness or insomnia and polysomnography demonstrating one of the following: more than five obstructive apnoeas, each greater than 10 seconds in duration, per hour of sleep and one or more of the following: frequent arousals from sleep associated with the apnoeas, bradytachycardia, and arterial oxygen desaturation in association with the apnoeas. In addition, for entry into these studies, all patients were required to have excessive sleepiness as demonstrated by a score ≥ 10 on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, despite treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Evidence that CPAP was effective in reducing episodes of apnoea/ hypopnea was required along with documentation of CPAP use.
Study 303 (n = 327) assessed the efficacy and safety of two doses of modafinil (200 mg and 400 mg per day) in the treatment of excessive sleepiness in patients with established OSAHS, despite partial or satisfactory use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. The primary efficacy variables for study 303 were MWT and CGI-C. Study 402 (n = 157) provides supportive data for modafinil 400 mg/day in the treatment of excessive sleepiness in patients with established OSAHS, despite the use of effective CPAP therapy. The primary efficacy variable for study 402 was ESS.
Clinically significant improvements were reported for each parameter and for both doses of modafinil compared to placebo in study 303 out to 12 weeks' double blind treatment, and study 402 out to 4 weeks' double blind treatment (see Tables 2 and 3).
In a 12 month open label extension period for study 303 in which patients titrated their daily dose of modafinil according to clinical response, ESS scores remained consistently improved compared to baseline values in both those previously on modafinil and those previously on placebo.
For OSAHS, modafinil has been shown to produce clinically meaningful reductions in excessive sleepiness and its adverse effects on quality of life, in both the short and long-term.

Shift work sleep disorder (SWSD).

Two clinical trials conducted in patients with shift work sleep disorder provide information on the efficacy of modafinil in this indication. The moderate to severe subgroup of patients with SWSD for whom Modavigil is indicated is defined by the inclusion criteria in the pivotal clinical trials. These criteria included a CGI-S (Clinical Global Impression of Severity) rating of at least 'moderately ill' (relating to ES on shift nights) at baseline, a mean sleep latency of no more than 6 minutes on the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) and no more than 87.5% sleep efficiency (time sleeping/ time in bed).
All patients met the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD-10) criteria for chronic SWSD (which are consistent with the American Psychiatric Association DSM-IV criteria for Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorder: Shift Work Type). Patients were enrolled if they worked at least five night shifts/month (of which at least 3 nights were consecutive) and planned to maintain this schedule for the duration of the double blind portion of the study. Each night shift was no longer than 12 hours in duration and included at least 6 hours between the hours of 2200 and 0800. Patients with any other disorder that might account for their excessive sleepiness were excluded.
Placebo or modafinil was taken 30 to 60 minutes before each night shift. Having worked three consecutive night shifts, patients were admitted to the sleep centre for a fourth, simulated night shift (= a study visit), during which the various efficacy parameters were assessed.
Study 305 (n = 209) evaluated the efficacy and safety of 12 weeks' therapy with modafinil at a dose of 200 mg as treatment for adults with excessive sleepiness associated with chronic shift work sleep disorder. The primary efficacy variables were MSL-MSLT and CGI-C. Statistically significant improvements were seen for patients in the modafinil group when compared to patients in the placebo group for both of the primary endpoint measures (see Tables 2, 3, and 4).
Study 306 (n = 278) evaluated the safety and impact on quality of life of 12 weeks of modafinil therapy at dosages of 200 or 300 mg once daily as treatment for adults with excessive sleepiness associated with shift work sleep disorder. The potential impact of modafinil treatment on quality of life was assessed by measuring the mean changes from baseline to week 12 using the following measures: Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ); 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36).
In study 306, modafinil treatment appeared to have a clinically meaningful effect on patient quality of life as assessed by the FOSQ. For the patients in the modafinil 300 mg/day group, improvement from baseline to week 12 was statistically significant for the total score (p = 0.0126) and for the individual scores for vigilance (p = 0.0123), activity level (p = 0.0055) and general productivity (p = 0.0041) when compared with placebo. Although not statistically significant, the p-values for the change from baseline for the modafinil 200 mg/day treatment group showed a trend toward significance.
Improvement was observed in the mental component score of SF-36 at all time points for patients in the modafinil treated groups compared with the placebo treated group. Statistical significance was observed at endpoint with the modafinil 300 mg/day group for the mental component summary (p = 0.0113), vitality (p < 0.0001) and role emotion (p = 0.0444) when compared with placebo.
In a 12 month open label extension period for study 306, improvements in FOSQ total score and in the SF-36 mental composite score at endpoint were of the same magnitude as those seen in the double blind period and were considered clinically meaningful.
In SWSD, modafinil has been shown to produce clinically meaningful reductions in excessive sleepiness and had positive impact on quality of life, in both the short and long-term.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties

Modafinil is a racemic compound, whose enantiomers have different pharmacokinetics (e.g. the half-life of the l-isomer is approximately three times that of the d-isomer in humans). The enantiomers do not interconvert. At steady-state, total exposure to the l-isomer is approximately three times that of the d-isomer. The trough concentration (Cminss) of circulating modafinil after once daily dosing consists of 90% of the l-isomer and 10% of the d-isomer.

Absorption.

Modafinil is slowly absorbed with an absorption half-life of approximately one hour. Peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) of approximately 3.3 mg/L are reached three hours (tmax) after administration of a 200 mg dose. Both the area under the plasma concentration curve (AUC) and the peak plasma concentration show dose proportionality in the 50 to 400 mg range. The absolute oral bioavailability could not be determined due to the aqueous insolubility (< 1 mg/mL) of modafinil, which precluded intravenous administration. Food has no effect on the overall bioavailability of modafinil, however, its absorption (tmax) may be delayed by approximately one hour if taken with food.

Distribution.

Modafinil is well distributed in body tissue with an apparent volume of distribution (≈ 0.9 L/kg) larger than the volume of total body water (0.6 L/kg). Modafinil is weakly bound to plasma proteins (62%), mainly to albumin. At serum concentrations obtained at steady-state after doses of 200 mg/day, modafinil exhibits no displacement of protein binding of warfarin, diazepam or propranolol.

Metabolism.

Metabolism occurs through hydrolytic deamination, S-oxidation, aromatic ring hydroxylation and glucuronide conjugation. Less than 10% of an administered dose is excreted as the parent compound. In a clinical study using radiolabelled modafinil, a total of 81% of the administered radioactivity was recovered in 11 days postdose, predominantly in the urine (80% vs. 1% in the faeces).
The chief metabolite (40-50% of the dose) is acid modafinil, which has no pharmacological activity. The excretion of modafinil and its metabolites is chiefly renal, with a small proportion being eliminated unchanged (< 10%).
Only two metabolites reach appreciable concentrations in plasma, i.e. acid modafinil and modafinil sulfone. In preclinical models, modafinil acid, modafinil sulfone, 2-[(diphenylmethyl) sulfonyl]acetic acid and 4-hydroxy modafinil were inactive or did not appear to mediate the arousal effects of modafinil.
In humans, modafinil shows a possible induction effect on its own metabolism after chronic administration of doses ≥ 400 mg/day. In vitro studies with human hepatocytes and liver microsomes have shown induction of metabolising enzymes CYP3A4 and CYP1A1/2, and inhibition of CYP2C19 (see Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions).

Excretion.

The major route of elimination (~90%) is metabolism, primarily by the liver, with subsequent renal elimination of the metabolites. The elimination half-life of modafinil after multiple doses is about 10-12 hours. Urine alkalinisation has no effect on the elimination of modafinil.

Special populations.

Children.

The pharmacokinetics of modafinil have not been studied in children.

Age effect.

A slight decrease (≈ 20%) in the oral clearance of modafinil was observed in subjects with a mean age of 63 years (range: 53 to 73 years). The clearance of modafinil may be reduced in the elderly.

Gender effect.

The pharmacokinetics of modafinil are not affected by gender.

Race effect.

The influence of race on the pharmacokinetics of modafinil has not been studied.

Renal impairment.

The pharmacokinetics of modafinil were not significantly influenced in patients with severe chronic renal failure (creatinine clearance ≤ 20 mL/min), but the exposure to modafinil acid (an inactive metabolite) was increased 9-fold.

Hepatic impairment.

The oral clearance of modafinil was decreased by about 60% and the steady-state concentration was doubled in patients with severe chronic hepatic impairment.

5.3 Preclinical Safety Data

Genotoxicity.

There was no consistent evidence for genotoxic activity of modafinil in in vitro assays of gene mutation (reverse mutation in S. typhimurium and E. coli, forward mutation in Chinese hamster V79 fibroblasts) or in the chromosomal damage assay (human lymphocytes in vitro, Chinese hamster bone marrow cells in vivo, mouse micronucleus assay). Modafinil did not increase unscheduled DNA synthesis in rat hepatocytes. In a cell transformation assay in BALB/3T3 mouse embryo cells, modafinil did not cause an increase in the frequency of transformed foci in the presence or absence of metabolic activation.

Carcinogenicity.

Carcinogenicity studies were conducted in which modafinil was administered in the diet to mice for 78 weeks and to rats for 104 weeks at doses up to 60 mg/kg/day. The highest dose studied in these studies would have achieved systemic exposure levels less than human exposure at the maximum recommended dose. There was no evidence of tumourigenesis associated with modafinil administration in these studies; however, the carcinogenic potential of modafinil has not been fully evaluated.

6 Pharmaceutical Particulars

6.1 List of Excipients

Each Modavigil tablet contains 100 mg of modafinil and also lactose, pregelatinised maize starch, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, povidone and magnesium stearate.

6.2 Incompatibilities

Incompatibilities were either not assessed or not identified as part of the registration of this medicine.

6.3 Shelf Life

In Australia, information on the shelf life can be found on the public summary of the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). The expiry date can be found on the packaging.

6.4 Special Precautions for Storage

Store below 25 degrees Celsius. Protect from Moisture. Protect from Light.

6.5 Nature and Contents of Container

Modavigil is registered in packs of 10, 30, 60 and 901 tablets supplied in PVC/PVDC/Al blister strips, each of which contains 10 tablets.
1 Not all pack sizes may be available.

6.6 Special Precautions for Disposal

In Australia, any unused medicine or waste material should be disposed of by taking to your local pharmacy.

6.7 Physicochemical Properties

Modafinil is a racemic compound and the chemical name is 2-[(diphenylmethyl)sulfinyl] acetamide. Modafinil is a white to off-white, crystalline powder that is practically insoluble in water and cyclohexane. It is sparingly to slightly soluble in ethanol and acetone.

Chemical structure.

The chemical structure is:
The molecular formula is C15H15NO2S and the molecular weight is 273.35.

CAS number.

The CAS registry number is 68693-11-8.

7 Medicine Schedule (Poisons Standard)

S4.

Summary Table of Changes