Modafinil And Xanax - What To Expect While Mixing Them

Modafinil and Xanax are taken together only when an individual is suffering from both panic or anxiety disorder and sleep disorder. However, it is important to remember that Xanax reduces the effectiveness of Modafinil. Therefore, always consult a healthcare provider before combining these drugs.

Taking two or more drugs at the same time may be necessary to treat two or more different diseases. A person suffering from panic or anxiety disorder and a sleep disorder may need to take medications like Modafinil and Xanax together. Many people wonder, is the combo really safe? What can one expect from combining both medicines? Let's find out in this blog.

Modafinil - An Overview

Modafinil, marketed under the brand names Provigil, Modalert, and Modvigil, is a wakefulness-promoting agent that is indicated for use in people over the age of 17. It is used to treat daytime sleepiness associated with the following conditions - Narcolepsy, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, and Shift Work Sleep Disorder.

People often get Modafinil for its various off-label uses. Some of the off-label indications of this drug include -

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Cocaine dependence
Unipolar and bipolar depressive episodes
As a cognitive enhancer.

This nootropic is generally well tolerated; some of the common side effects of Modafinil include headache, nausea, and decreased appetite [1].

Xanax - An Overview

Xanax is a prescription medication that is used for certain anxiety disorders, specifically generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. It belongs to the benzodiazepine drug class and consists of the active drug alprazolam [2].

Alprazolam was invented at the Upjohn Company by Jackson Hester Jr. and was approved for medical use in 1981 in the U.S.

Differences Between Modafinil And Xanax

There are some differences, as well as similarities, between these drugs that are mentioned in the table below.

	Modafinil	Xanax
Generic availability	Yes	Yes
Half-life	12-15 hours	11 hours
Controlled Substances Act schedule	Schedule IV controlled substance (lower potential of abuse and dependence).	Schedule IV controlled substance.
Side Effects	Common side effects - headache, upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, stuffy nose, and insomnia. Serious side effects include hallucinations, depression, palpitations, and ringing in the ears, among others.	Common side effects - drowsiness, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, stuffy nose, headache, tiredness, upset stomach. Serious side effects include slurred speech, seizures, depression, memory loss, impaired concentration, and anxiety.
First approval date	24 December, 1998	October 16, 1981
Manufacturer	Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd.	Pfizer
Drug Interaction	Modafinil interacts with 449 medications, of which 182 are minor, 205 are moderate, and 62 are major, according to the website drugs.com.	Xanax is known to interact with 517 medications, of which 39 are minor, 52 are major, and 426 are moderate.

Modafinil Interactions With Xanax

modafinil-interactions-with-xanax

Coadministering Modafinil and Xanax may come in handy to people who suffer from anxiety or panic disorder alongside sleep disorders. Since Modafinil is safe and effective, it could help promote wakefulness in people with sleep disorders, while Xanax takes care of anxiety disorder or panic disorder.

However, there is a possibility that Xanax may reduce the effectiveness of Modafinil because of its CNS depressant effects. Thus, users may not be as focused or as alert as they should be after popping a Modafinil pill.

Can You Take Xanax And Modafinil Together

The answer to this question is yes because an interaction checker on the website drugs.com indicates a minor interaction if both drugs are combined. Several individuals who have tried mixing both these medicines have reported no serious effects. However, it is worth remembering that medicines work differently in different people; the fact the combination is safe in certain people does not guarantee that it will be safe for you [3].

It is also important to note that apart from Xanax, Modafinil can interact with nicotine, Lexapro, Ritalin, Wellbutrin, and clonazepam. This is not the complete list of all the possible drug interactions of Modafinil. Thus, it is advisable for one to consult a doctor before taking any other medication or supplements with this Nootropic.

Conclusion

Modafinil and Xanax are two different drugs. Mixing them can have both positive and negative effects. Combining them should only be done if absolutely needed with proper consultation from your physician.