Is Provigil (modafinil) a controlled substance?
Yes, Provigil (modafinil) is a Schedule IV controlled substance classified by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The DEA classifies controlled substances into one of five schedules based on factors such as the drug’s potential for abuse, risk to the public health, and risk of dependence.
Provigil is used to improve wakefulness in adults with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, or shift work disorder. In studies, Provigil was shown to produce psychoactive effects and has the potential for misuse or abuse. This means it could cause people to take higher doses than they are prescribed, use the medication for reasons other than why they were prescribed to take it, or engage in drug-seeking behavior.
If you have been prescribed Provigil, store it in a safe place that is locked. Do not sell Provigil to others, which is against the law and may cause them harm. If you stop taking Provigil, ask your local pharmacy about an upcoming DEA Take Back Day or local drop boxes where you can safely dispose of controlled substances.
References
Provilgil (modafinil) [package insert]. Revised Dec 2022. Cephalon, LLC. Accessed 05/28/2024 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=e16c26ad-7bc2-d155-3a5d-da83ad6492c8
United States Drug Enforcement Administration. The Controlled Substances Act. Accessed 05/28/2024. Available from: https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/csa
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