35 replies to this topic

[pimaster]

So I've read that skin rashes are quite uncommon and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is quite rare from Modafinil use, however, yesterday(Sunday) I took 100mg at 10:00 for the first time to enjoy a nice day of studying for midterms. The Modafinil gave me an amazing lucidity and memory recognition, but I did experience a few common side effects(gas, itchy skin) that would come and go throughout the day which didn't bother me. Nearing the end of the night, around midnight, I noticed an area (about the diameter of a cotton makeup pad) of splotchy red, rash-like dots with a pronounced red area in the middle of the area, on my inner left thigh. It looked like a harsh bruise(internal bleeding) but red, rather than purple. This area was not present when I took a shower about 3 or 4 hours prior to noticing this area. Promptly, I drank a double dose of my liquid multivitamin (Cellfood Silica) to hopefully mitigate any adverse reactions. What I suspect this to be is an adverse allergic/hypersensitivity reaction to the Modafinil, but early in the day I picked at a little zit/ingrown hair near the epicenter of this splotchy area, so it may have been a cause since it bled a little. No other rashes have been found in any areas of the body(may rule out SJS because of the symmetrical nature of the disorder). Either way, I will reluctantly give up studying with modafinil and just stick to my gingko/vinpocetine/ALCAR/caffiene regimen for fear of progressive allergic/hypersensitivity reactions to the Modafinil. It's quite disappointing that such a powerful memory/concentration enhancer causes such pronounced and proliferant side effects as SJS and TEN(Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis).

I hope anyone taking Modafinil will exercise extreme caution when using this drug, and to regularly check for any signs of rash. I'm certain this reation will dissipate within a few days, although, I've read it may possibly progress into SJS or TEN, I have doubts that one time use will trigger any sort of cascading reaction within a relatively healthy individual.


I have attached a photo of the area, with the area outlined in blue and a penny for reference, the photo was taken today, and the red splotchy spots were much darker and more prevalent last night. For reference, I took half a 200 mg tablet from the generic company, Spier Pharmaceuticals, so maybe the generic tablet has excess impurities or an improper synthesis technique that may cause excess/abnormal/rare side effects. I'd love to be able to use Modafinil on rare occasions for studying and cramming, but I don't want to risk having my skin fall off, which is disappointing since I had such a pronounced stimulating/nootropic effect.

[nito]

where's the photo?

[pimaster]

Oh weird, it must have not attached properly.

The rash is still there after 36 hours(~48h post administration) of me noticing it, so I'm starting to think it may be a small infection resulting from me picking at the ingrown hair in that area (since all the metabolites of Modafinil would have already passed by now). I could use more knowledgable opinions, however, on whether I could resume Modafinil(at a quarter, or less, dose of what I took) or if it will just be safer to just put it on the shelf indefinitely? I haven't found much evidence suggesting Modafinil causes severe rash or hypersensitivity in the first administration of it, at least not with the 100mg dose I took. However, I may always be an individual case since I've read a few cases where sensitivity/rash began about 3-7 days after administration of 200-400mg/day doses. Maybe Modafinil sensitivity may have a correlation with Penicillin allergy/sensitivity(which I have), but that is all just speculation because I have not looked much into the pharmokinetics of Modafinil and its metabolites.

I'll update on the rash, with another picture, after my midterm tonight, but it seems to not have subsided much since last night.

Oh, I forgot to mention that I did take a higher than normal dose of vinpocetine throughout the day, I took Modafinil (roughly about 50 mg from the usual 0-10mg I take) so obviously more speculation but it may be possible that the bit of gingko and the extra vinpocetine along with the slight constricting effect of Modafinil caused a blood vessel rupturing effect at the point where trauma was caused. I probably should have kept it safe by restricting my other nootropic regimen that day, along with restricting my caffeine intake, I was slightly manic from not being used to the effect of Modafinil, so I drank tons of yerba mate throughout that day.

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Edited by pimaster, 07 February 2012 - 03:48 PM.

[noos]

Do you take 10 mg modafinil and feel it? or is it vinpo? 50 mg vinpo is too high IIRC 30 mg is the recommended dose.

Edited by noos, 07 February 2012 - 04:31 PM.

[pimaster]

Do you take 10 mg modafinil and feel it? or is it vinpo? 50 mg vinpo is too high IIRC 30 mg is the recommended dose.

I took a 100mg dose(half a 200mg tablet) of Modafinil. The vinpo was 10mg/each tablets and I consumed about 4 or 5 throughout the day. Along with several cups of strongly caffeinated tea. Is there a possibility that what I'm presuming to be a rash is actually just bursted blood vessels?
Could it be possible that the trauma from picking at that area, as well as the excessive tampering with my vascular system from using strong vasoconstrictors(Modafinil and Caffeine) along with very strong vasodilators(Vinpocetine and Gingko Biloba) could cause a bruising/bursted blood vessel/rash-like effect on the area of trauma?

If so I may have just overreacted and really its just a bruise manifesting itself as an area of splotchy bursted blood vessels, I've had bruising, that looked similar to the area on my leg, before from sports and other trauma.

If this is the case, then would it be safe to assume that I did not have an adverse allergic reaction to the Modafinil, rather it is just a case of less serious bruising? I would very much like to resume occasionally taking Modafinil, so if anyone could possibly tell me whether this is truely an allergic reaction or if it looks simply like bursted blood vessels. The layer of skin on top of this area is not bumpy, it doesn't have any other SJS/rash-like symptoms such as peeling skin, itchiness, blistering, cracking or drying. So other than the change in color underneath my skin, it does not seem to actually be a rash but rather like bursted blood vessels/internal hemorraging

I suspect that this is the case, because there were no other symptoms of allergic reaction while I was on Modafinil, and I have not read anywhere that Modafinil causes SJS symptoms after the first administration of it. Would it be safe to take a small dose(~25mg) of Modafinil to subjectively assess whether I have an allergic response, or should I just shelve it indefinitely? Either way, I could definitely use the expertise of the fine people at longecity on an assessment of whether I could disregard this incidence and continue occasionally using Modafinil for when I require it.

[Niko Bockasten]

Yeah when I began taking modafinil I tend to pick, my scalp got pretty cut up though its healing now finally, I reccomend cycling modafinil as it is an untested drug

[noos]

Maybe someone can tell if an allergy can present in such a localized form. It is strange.

I would not take so much vinpo.

[Cephalon]

I notice skin changes when using Modafinil too frequently as well. I get very dry reddish skin on my knuckles.
Lately I feel taking Modafinil too often, like more than two days in a row or so, feels very unhealthy.
I also notice a negative effect on mood as well as on mental health. I sometimes have weired thoughts and anxiety on it.
As with everything it should be taken in moderation. I would not use it several days in a row, if you do not have to.
In case your spot worsens go see your doctor. It may be uncommen do develop SJS but in case you do it's a life threatening condition.
But one should keep in mind that a couple OTC medications we use can cause SJS like Ibuprofene and it realy is an uncommon reaction.

[pimaster]

Hmm... So the area is beginning to heal similar to how internal bleeding/bruising heals, the redness is subsiding but the splotchiness is still there. I'm starting to think that the cause of this was the excessive vinpocetine which thinned out the walls to my capillaries at the time, and me picking at the ingrown hair in that area, it caused the blood vessels to burst where the zit was, as well as, bursting a few blood vessels nearby, by the trauma, causing the other red spots around the area where I picked.

Is SJS an extremely progressive disease once it manifests initial symptoms, or will it eventually subside from immediate discontinuation of the suspected medication? I am wondering this because I want to give Modafinil one more try this Friday at a quarter (~25mg) of the dose I used for my first time, first to see if I truely am hypersensitive to it; second, to see if the area returns/becomes worse. However, I don't want to risk triggering an extremely progressive disease (if SJS is) and end up with skin grafts over half my body, from merely using Modafinil twice.

Anyway I'll include an updated photo of the area, again with a penny for reference and the blue outline around the area, but this time with a slightly better camera and the hairs trimmed off to provide better detail for anyone who can assess whether this is truely initial symptoms of SJS or just bursted blood vessels (again, it seems like the redness is underneath the skin rather than on top). I intend to take the ~25mg this Friday prior to a midterm, unless someone can deter/advise me against it. I will keep this thread updated, with any symptoms/adverse reactions, if I do end up taking the dose on Friday.

Any information of the progressivity/severity/possibility of SJS triggered by Modafinil would be greatly appreciated, and will put me one step closer to understanding what that reaction may have been caused by.

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[earcaraxe]

I think I read somewhere that the SJS claims of modafinil were all untrue and were actually as a result of something else. Modafinil definitely can cause rashes if you're allergic, but it'd likely be something more spread out, and a localized rash on your inner thigh seems like a pretty odd place for it to manifest.

Always better safe than sorry though.

[pimaster]

By the way, as a child, I was given Penicillin which is a sulfanimide(I believe), and I developed a hypersensitivity/allergic reaction after a few days, which caused a pretty bad rash on my cheeks (skin became very dry, scaly, peeled a bit, blistered, etc.; very similar to SJS symptoms). I just noticed that Modafinil's chemical composition also contains sulfur (Benzhydrylsulphinylacetamide, C15H15NO2S) so maybe I am allergic. It may be possible that I had a Fixed Drug Reaction in that area on my thigh. There are reports of people who had an allergic reaction to sulfanimide compounds developing similar reactions to other sulfur containing medications, but I am unsure of whether you can consider Modafinil in that group.

Well it's been over 72 hours and the area is fading away and no other rashes have occurred. However, I've been a bit itchy throughout the day, although that may be just me looking for symptoms. I haven't experienced any drying of the skin or anything unusual, other than the slight itchiness. I guess I should see how I feel by the end of tomorrow before deciding whether it would be safe to dose 25mg of modafinil on Friday, which I believe would generally be safe considering the rarity of SJS and how quickly the symptoms disappear upon discontinuation. Although the long half-life of Modafinil does increase this risk, and the usual reports of SJS occur about 1-2 weeks after initiation of the medication. However, this incidence rate is from usually from daily administration, and I am not taking/planning to take Modafinil on a daily basis so I should end up with my skin intact.

I am beginning to feel that I should drop it completely and look into the racetams instead for actual proven/safe long-term cognitive enhancement, rather than single-use stimulants...

Any opinions on whether if it would be (relatively) safe for me to try the small dose, would be greatly appreciated, and will help me decide whether I should make myself a guinea pig.

[thewhat]

You're being paranoid. While it is good to be cautious and observant, particularly when it comes to pharmaceuticals, you should not become a hypochondriac in the process.

First, SJS does not begin with minor rash, but rather fever / sore throat / common generally 'ill' symptoms. As it develops, the overwhelming majority of cases (i.e., all) experience extremely painful lesions/rash in the mouth or on the lips, as well as in the genital/anal area (mucus membranes) and patients have difficulty eating or drinking. The rash you presented with does not indicate typical SJS pathological development whatsoever. If it doesn't go away on its own after about a week and you are concerned, go see your physician or dermatologist to have them look at it.

Here is the background info on how SJS has been linked with modafinil (emphases added):

In a group of 933 children and adolescents treated with modafinil in trials, there were 12 cases that could have been definite erythema multiforme (EM) or SJS, early prodromal EM or SJS, or were suggestive of EM or SJS, according to an FDA reviewer at the meeting.

One case was considered most likely to be SJS, for a risk of about 1 in 1,000. Although there were no reports of SJS among 36,000 children prescribed the drug off-label between 2002 and 2005, there was concern that some cases could occur with wider use of the drug, and the panel recommended that the company conduct a 3,000 patient study to further clarify the risk.

In the Cephalon release, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Frank Baldino Jr., Ph.D., said the company was "surprised that the agency disagreed with the opinions of our experts, which were based on photographic and other evidence concerning a single suspected case of Stevens Johnson syndrome."

[thewhat]

Yeah when I began taking modafinil I tend to pick, my scalp got pretty cut up though its healing now finally, I reccomend cycling modafinil as it is an untested drug

Untested? Where do you get your scientific literature, and what on earth makes you say that?

A quick search on NCBI/Pubmed will reveal over 1,000 scientific papers on the compound.

Bottom line - OP, you shouldn't shelf it because of a minor coincident rash that clearly may have been caused entirely by normal minor skin issues (ingrown hair). And don't be afraid to try a 100mg dose - you won't prevent SJS by taking a quarter of the lowest recommended dose. If you develop a more serious rash or multiple rashes after taking more of it (and controlling for whatever else you may be taking?), then you should stop and consult with a physician.

[pimaster]

Thank you very much, thewhat, for the very informative posts, it definitely puts my mind at ease. You're right, I was overreacting and a bit paranoid. I will, however, only try 50mg doses (and maybe work up to 100mg), considering the anecdotal reports of lower doses being more effective, in terms of being a nootropic. Thinking back, while I was on the 100mg, it may have been a little too strong because I was definitely over-stimulated and found myself getting distracted easily, but that may have been from the slight euphoria and mental speediness I was feeling since I don't normally take stimulants (other than caffeine). I will try Modafinil again tomorrow morning, since the "rash" has basically disappeared. If, however, I begin feeling sick over the following week, I'll go to my physician, and report back here.

[Cognoid]

This is what SJS looks like: http://provigilsidee...s.blogspot.com/ I think you're probably okay.

[Raptor87]

As the poster above says. I have the same issue from time to time. I think it is caused by excess blood tissue circulation, sweat and other things rather than SJS. I know that some stimulants tend to crystallize on the skin surface, I don't know if Modafinil is one of them but that might be another reason. It might also be a histamin reaction, I get the same effect from antihistamines.

I looked this up before starting using Modafinil. From what I know of the reported SJS while evaluating Modafinil was due to other reasons and was not caused by Modafinil.

The biggest problem when that happens while on the drug is that one tends to get obsessed about the thought, even paranoid. So stay calm, it´s just another side- effect of the drug. Iv´e wasted many nights scanning for potential harms that might be caused by modafinil, I should have studied or done something constructive instead.

If you get dermatological problems caused by modafinil, then you will know it!

[Cognoid]

I'd be interested to know if SJS can happen at any time or is it the case that if you've taken Modafinil and not had any adverse reaction you're clear. I've used Modafinil on and off for about 6 years and never had any skin issues.

[pimaster]

I agree with you Brainfogged, paranoia, especially over possible drug-related symptoms, can drive anyone nuts!

However, I have used modafinil a few times since I made this post, and the last time, which was approximately 2 weeks ago, I used 25mg followed by another 25mg dose 2 hours later and, within an hour, it put me to sleep! I ended up sleeping for ~4 hours and woke up in a haze that lasted for the rest of the day, which was very unusual considering modafinil is a wake-inducing agent.

In the days following, my skin became itchy and these papule-like vessicles began to form on my thighs, very similar to zits but there was a rather distinct reddish appearance on the skin around the small vessicle of pus in the middle; this was quite unusual since they were distributed over quite a large area (inner/top thighs, even one or two on each calf) and although my legs weren't covered in them, like shown in SJS patient photos, there was still a significant quantity that a family member remarked about them looking like bug bites. I also developed 3 hard papules (without zit-like vessicles in the middle) on my chest, with the largest one being ~5mm in diameter, this has resided but is still a bump.

A few of the "zits" had quite a sting to them when touched or rubbed by clothes; although all these skin conditions have, for the most part, resided (a few remaining on thighs, and as mentioned the papules on my chest), I am still quite cautious as to whether this could have been sub-clinical, pre-symptomic SJS/allergic-reaction or whether this might have been another case of paranoia. Therefore, I haven't taken another dose of modafinil, as of yet.

Forgot to mention, that I also had a cough that was mainly dry without any other cold/flu symptoms for the following week after the last administration, which has resided concurrently with the papules.

Edited by pimaster, 15 March 2012 - 06:06 AM.

[Raptor87]

I agree with you Brainfogged, paranoia, especially over possible drug-related symptoms, can drive anyone nuts!

However, I have used modafinil a few times since I made this post, and the last time, which was approximately 2 weeks ago, I used 25mg followed by another 25mg dose 2 hours later and, within an hour, it put me to sleep! I ended up sleeping for ~4 hours and woke up in a haze that lasted for the rest of the day, which was very unusual considering modafinil is a wake-inducing agent.

In the days following, my skin became itchy and these papule-like vessicles began to form on my thighs, very similar to zits but there was a rather distinct reddish appearance on the skin around the small vessicle of pus in the middle; this was quite unusual since they were distributed over quite a large area (inner/top thighs, even one or two on each calf) and although my legs weren't covered in them, like shown in SJS patient photos, there was still a significant quantity that a family member remarked about them looking like bug bites. I also developed 3 hard papules (without zit-like vessicles in the middle) on my chest, with the largest one being ~5mm in diameter, this has resided but is still a bump.

A few of the "zits" had quite a sting to them when touched or rubbed by clothes; although all these skin conditions have, for the most part, resided (a few remaining on thighs, and as mentioned the papules on my chest), I am still quite cautious as to whether this could have been sub-clinical, pre-symptomic SJS/allergic-reaction or whether this might have been another case of paranoia. Therefore, I haven't taken another dose of modafinil, as of yet.

Forgot to mention, that I also had a cough that was mainly dry without any other cold/flu symptoms for the following week after the last administration, which has resided concurrently with the papules.

Well next time it happens try to document it. I document everything, even my liverspots

Where did you purchase your Modafinil from?

[Raptor87]

Yeah when I began taking modafinil I tend to pick, my scalp got pretty cut up though its healing now finally, I reccomend cycling modafinil as it is an untested drug

Modafinil has been around for decades. So I don´t think that there is no real danger. The biggest problem would be the psychological ones if one is overly sensitive to the compound.

[sdfsf]

I just recently tried Modafinil. First day 200mg, later that evening I had a flushed face, similar to niacin. Then the next day I tried 50mg, had another flush, then developed a blood blister under my tongue which really freaked me out.

So I've give it a break for a week. Question is, should I return to it at a low dose once a week over the course of a month? Will this give me time to evaluate ? Or should I completely drop it?

I had no rash and no pain. Could it be histamine release? I do get blood blisters inside me cheeks every so often, but that's mostly from me biting myself.

I did have a rash reaction to banana flavoured penicillin when younger but the doctors concluded it was the banana flavouring... That was early '80s though, so I don't know if they really knew about SJS then. That said, I would have had problems if it was really SJS yeah?

Is there any known treatment for SJS? Thanks for help!

[MVP]

Sorry to bring this back from the dead, but I have a very similar issue.

Took 1 x 200mg modalert today at approximately 9am and had a very productive day, until about 4pm when I noticed the attached rash appear. It might be utter paranoia, but it certainly wasnt there before.

It hasn't got much worse, and it doesn't itch, although I am having a strange "tingly" sensation, but I think this is partly because I am thinking about the rash so much.

Ideas?

[pimaster]

well its been a long while since I've logged onto my account on this forum, although I have lurked aroundonce in a while.

It appears that most people who get a rash from modafinil also get a rash from penicillin, although I don't believe it is necessary to be allergic to penicillin to get a rash from modafinil. Personally I have abandoned the topic after I had gotten another rash in February of 2013. This time it was a bit more severe and longer lasting. I took a 200mg tablet and the whole day I had a slight itch until the evening where it became pretty severe. I noticed rashy scratch marks on my stomach and forearms and of course got paranoid again. I think it has something to do with the histamine release which may cause the blood vessels on the top layer of the epidermis to burst more easily (I never have burst blood vessels normally). Although the scratch marks began disappearing after a few days, the itchy sensation didn't disappear for about a week and a half which cause more splotchy marks. By that point I was freaking out that I got SJS but still decided to wait it out. The itchiness eventually stopped after about 2 weeks after taking the 200mg dose and was possibly exacerbated by my 3 cats to which I don't have allergies but with the increased histamine release it seemed to cause an alleric reaction to them.

The verdict is still out but it seems that there hasn't been any full blown cases of SJS from modafinil in the couple of decades its been prescribed, so if you can handle the paranoia associated with the rash you may/may not get from modafinil I don't see any problem in taking it once in a while for a performance boost. I, however, have decided that the last experience was too unpleasant to continue with taking modafinil.

[salamandyr]

I took modafinil for 14 out of 17 days, 100 mg in a.m. and at the end of that felt "off" so d/c'd. Next day hands and feet had deep pressure hives (from motorcycle riding) and the day after I developed pressure-raised Erythema Multiform minor (target-centered hives, covering much of my body except for face / mouth). My lungs started closing up and I ended up in the ER twice and Urgent Care once, in the space of three days - UC sent me back to the ER.

I have no other medication allergies, and the EM minor ran about 3 weeks, barely suppressed with medrol. The flu ended about 18 days after first symptoms, but was a really bad one. I had never had "hives from flu" though it turns out my sister did as a kid, so probably a sign of my system being pushed to it's limit. It's been > 5 months, and I am still having chronic histamine problems. Pain in hands and feel and deep swelling, and slight hives now and again. My hisatmine system seems "damaged" in some way. The only other possible culprit was a couple 200 mg doses of Sulbutiamine at the tail end of the initial 2-week moda run. Thiamine spike / excess dose can result in EM minor, although this was lasting, reactive, and absurdly hard to deal with even weeks after those two sulbu doses, so it's probalby not that.

I'm almost 100% certain it was the modafinil, with the specific manifestation of EM minor / pressure urticaria as some latent reaction to the flu that I would never have had if I wasn't so "off" from the moda.

People really need to realize moda is not a nootropic by the strict sense - it's got side effects, and as a review paper mentions, the incidence of side effects is many times the background level in people with attention problems, who are the very people who might seek it most. Plus it doesn't even do as much for attention and memory as a good basic 'racetam, l-theanine, and choline stack.

I have re-challenged with grains of it (< 20 mg) since, and had flare up of pressure/target hives, for days both times I tried re-challenging. Moda is bad, m'kay?

[noos]

I have re-challenged with grains of it (< 20 mg) since, and had flare up of pressure/target hives, for days both times I tried re-challenging. Moda is bad, m'kay?

Too bad. I wonder how some people take it for years without any problem.

Which brand did you use? Can that make a difference?

[chris106]

For those of you who haven't seen it yet -

There's a very interesting thread about an elaborate, new study about modafinil's workin-mechanisms from this year:

http://www.longecity...n-by-modafinil/

I would advise anyone who uses, or plans on using Modafinil to read it - most conclusive heap of information about Modafinil I've seen so far!


Now, regarding this thread's topic;

Most skin reactions to Modafinil are most likely due to it's Histamine increasing actions. This means that for most people it will do nothing more than slightly increase existing allergies. The same happened to me, and after taking a first generation Antihistamine (cetirizin), those side effects subsided.

As user noos stated in another thread, an OTC 2nd generation antihistamine like Claritin would probably be more desireable, because those don't cross the BBB and won't make you tired. (Except of course you need something to take the edge of a bit of Modafinil anyways - not yet sure if that really works, though)

Now the reaction that Salamandyr reported is a whole different beast, of course. I'm just saying that minor skin rashes or itches or pimples on Modafinil are probably nothing to be freaked out about. Just dose lower or stop Modafinil temporarily, monitor carefully and see if taking an antihistamine will take care of the problem. It's probably just slightly intensified symptoms of an allergy you've allready had to begin with.

Also, an anecdotal report from me:
I even was on Modafinil during a few of my "hypo-sensitisation" sessions. I don't know if that's the correct english term - it's when they repeatedly inject you with allergens over a long period of time to de-sensetise you against them. Back then I didn't know about Moda's pro-histamine actions. Yet I just had a slightly worse allergic reaction compared to when I wasn't on Modafinil - nothing substantial.

So it would seem it's no big deal if you only have slight, "regular" allergies - like against hay or some grasses and/or animal -hair.

Then again, I guess this could also mean that you should be f***ing careful with Modafinil if you happen to have some severe allergies that can maybe even cause lethal conditions.

But to be honest, I don't know if Histamine even plays a role in such "extreme" conditions...-

maybe someone who's more knowledgeable regarding this topic could clarify?

Edited by chris106, 15 July 2013 - 08:15 AM.

[salamandyr]

I don't have allergies in general, and none to medications.

I think the advice should not be "be careful if you have allergies", but "stay the **** away from modafinil" unless you have a real need to offset sleep cycle issues, that lifestyle hacking cannot fix. There are many many things that are more true/clean "nootropics".

[chris106]

I don't have allergies in general, and none to medications.

I think the advice should not be "be careful if you have allergies", but "stay the **** away from modafinil" unless you have a real need to offset sleep cycle issues, that lifestyle hacking cannot fix. There are many many things that are more true/clean "nootropics".

Not saying it is harmless, and what happened to you is quite tough, no question. But there are also a fuckton of people out there who cycle modafinil for months or even years without any problems. Personally, I'm diagnosed ADD but probably have severe sleep apnea, which will be tested soon (I had to whait months for that test)

None of the nootropics you mentioned above (various froms of racetams and choline sources etc.) helped me in the slightest, if anything they made me even more tired.
Modafinil helps me a great deal, and it's the only thing that helps me manage till I can get my apnea tested.
And while it's true that it is no nootropic in the long term (it actually does temporarily dumb you down if taken irresponsibly or too long consecutively), and in my opinion shouldn't be taken daily either, it has way less side effects for me personally than shit like MPH or Amphetamines, which I was forced to take for a long time.

And in the short term at least it does work like a nootropic for me, since my ability to focus is so impaired to begin with from deprived sleep.
I also don't have "many times the side effects" even though I definetely do have diagnosed attention problems.

But anyways, don't get me wrong - I'm actually not disagreeing with you for the most part here - there probably are a lot of safer alternatives out there if one is NOT suffering from a sleep disorder. But I don't think spreading panic like this and completely bashing a medication that you had a (admittedly) severely bad but VERY uncommon reaction to is well advised.

Now what will probably happen is that anyone who finds a zit or minor skin irritation while on Modafinil will freak out and loose their shit thinking they'll end up in the hospital, too - even though for 99% of the people using it, it would probably be just a minor histaminergic reaction.

Also, it would be helpfull if you answered the question which brand you used - especially if it was generic.

Edited by chris106, 18 July 2013 - 09:12 AM.

[Spit]

Most skin reactions to Modafinil are most likely due to it's Histamine increasing actions. This means that for most people it will do nothing more than slightly increase existing allergies. The same happened to me, and after taking a first generation Antihistamine (cetirizin), those side effects subsided.

just signed up to add to this. when i dosed my first modafinil 2 weeks ago i had just gotten over a major poison ivy reaction up my left side and on my left arm. my skin was completely clear a couple days later. a couple days after that, 4-5th day on mode i got what i thought was a 3 inch area of mosquito bites on my left side and a couple on my left arm. after these stayed around for several days (i usually clear mosquito bites in a couple hours) i thought i might have put on a shirt i wore when i had the poison ivy and it must be another outbreak from residual oils. last night i realized it couldn't be as it didn't spread as poison ivy and remained as spots and must be a different rash. the spots are slightly elevated like fresh mosquito bites...red with a rough, sandpapery feel. 5, 2-3-4mm spots in triangular pattern positioned directly over what were previously the most reactive points of the poison ivy.

seems like histamine were elevated there.

i took 50mg in the morning for two weeks and was thrilled with the results as i've struggled with racetam based stacks lately losing their effects.
feeling pretty defeated as i was feeling i had found the philosopher's stone.
may give it another shot if convinced.

[Adrian Cox]

To chime in- I was using 100mg of modvigil for about 3 weeks - with some 1-2 days off per week. What started to develop was face acne unlike I have ever seen
on myself before. I was wondering if it's adverse affects on the liver might also contribute as the condition of the liver and the skin closely reflect each
other...I really enjoy most of it's effects if I don't use it too often, too much, or past 7AM however I'm too vain to trade serious acne for the effects that I do like