Provigil Side Effects Lawyers

Provigil is a drug that’s manufactured by Cephalon, one of the true giants of the pharmaceutical industry. It was originally approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998. Its use is for those people who suffer from two conditions that for many years were nearly impossible to manage – obstructive sleep apnea and narcolepsy. Provigil showed early promise, but eventually reports of Provigil side effects began to surface.

Below is an overview of the issue of Provigil side effects. You’ll find information regarding how Provigil works, who has used it, the Provigil side effects that drew public scrutiny, the potential fallout for anyone who suffers from Provigil side effects and finally how you should proceed if you have suffered as a result of depending on Provigil.

How Provigil Works

Provigil is a drug that’s used to treat the following conditions:
  • Obstructive sleep apnea – Obstructive sleep apnea is the condition whereby the patient has episodes of stopped breathing during sleep. Most of the time, the patient does not remember these episodes, but rather feels extremely fatigued during the day as anyone would if he or she did not get enough sleep the previous night. Prolonged periods of sleep deprivation can be dangerous, and one of the results can be falling asleep when it is not expected.
  • Narcolepsy – Narcolepsy is a disorder that brings about unexpected periods of sleep with a patient, sometimes several times per day. These episodes tend to last about 15 minutes, and at this time there is no known cure for this condition. Narcolepsy is particularly dangerous when these sleep episodes strike at inopportune times, such as when the patient is driving a vehicle.
Provigil was formulated to counter the unexpected sleep episodes and general fatigue that are attached to these conditions. In a scientific sense, Provigil works through its main active ingredient, which is known as modafinil. Modafinil is known in medical circles as a CNS, or central nervous system, stimulant. With this ingredient working, Provigil provides those who take it a boost in awareness that’s designed to prevent these unexpected episodes of sleep and chronic drowsiness.

For a time, Provigil worked so well that it began to be used for other, off-label purposes. Specifically, it became popular with those who pursued certain occupations, such as military fighter pilots, truck drivers and top-level athletes, all of whom benefitted from this awareness boost that Provigil provides.

Provigil Side Effects

After Provigil hit the market in 1998, there were some initial reports regarding Provigil side effects. These Provigil side effects included depressive episodes, hallucinations and even suicidal thoughts in some cases. However, it was soon discovered that these Provigil side effects were temporary in nature and usually dissipated within 24 – 48 hours.

Unfortunately, a few years later, the most serious report of Provigil side effects surfaced, and it concerned the link between Provigil and the tendency for patients to develop Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, or SJS. SJS is an otherwise rare skin condition that can be fatal in some cases, particularly because it is difficult to diagnose in its early stages.

The Fallout from Provigil-Caused Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

The reason that SJS is difficult to diagnose when it initially presents itself is because its first symptoms are similar to a common and relatively minor skin rash. Many patients simply ignored the rash or attempted to treat it with cream only to discover later on that they had contracted a disease that can be fatal.

As SJS progresses, it kills off both the skin and the underlying mucous membranes in the body. The initial rash continues to grow and spread, and it becomes a situation of excruciating pain for anyone who must deal with SJS. Eventually, the skin and its underlying mucous membranes are killed by SJS, and the patient’s skin will literally peel off after it morphs into dead tissue with nothing adequate to replace it.

When a person loses viable skin tissue, he or she becomes susceptible to a wide range of infections that the protective skin and mucous membranes are at least partially designed to prevent. These infections can attack the defenseless body until such point as the patient ultimately dies.

Contact a Provigil Side Effects Lawyer

In 2007, after a public health warning was issued by the FDA, Cephalon began the practice of affixing a warning label on all containers of Provigil. This warning label was written to provide clear notice to anyone using the drug of the links and potential dangers involved with developing Provigil side effects.

While this decision has likely helped, it was too late for too many people. If you or someone you love has suffered as a result of using this drug, you need to contact a Provigil side effects lawyer as soon as possible at Phillips Webster to schedule a free initial consultation.
 



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