Comments on: Is Big Pharma learning its sales tactics from street drug dealers?

By: Jes

Jes — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 08:45:25 +0000

I just started taking Nuvigil today. hating the side effects but already been through it with Provigil so I know it will get better. I have Narcolepsy and was previously on 600 mg a day and still falling asleep. I have read both good and bad about both medications and ya the price sucks…and i just got laid off and have no insurance…so a generic at a cheaper price sounds awesome BUT after being on such a high dose and still falling asleep all the time, I am willing and hoping the Nuvigil is better. at this point just want to live a normal life and being so darn tired all the time interferes beyond belief! i’ll post again in a couple weeks when the side effects subside and let you know how i am doing. right now i am so very hopeful…just gotta be because it can only get better right? if anyone else with severe narcolepsy has tried both medications please let me know how the worked for you. would like your input =)

By: megan

megan — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 23:55:35 +0000

I’m a chemical engineering major with narcolepsy and i’ve looked into the chemical differene. They are the same in chemical formula but, sorry to get technical, provigil is one enantiomer and provigil is a racemic mixture of both enantiomers. This means they react differently despite looking like same chemical. So they arent trying to scam you, but i’ve taken both and nuvigil only seems to keep me alert at night. I can still fall asleep when on provigil, but only when i try to. When is walmart supposed to be getting a generic?

By: Lawrence

Lawrence — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 22:55:03 +0000

I was involved in a study of Provigil a few years ago and can’t wait till Wal-M offers it as a generic. $295 for a 30-day supply is just way too much. This drug is simply marvelous. With no side effects at all, it kept me from falling asleep in the afternoons and gave me access to the language center in my brain in a way that I’d not had previously or since. I call it my “smart pill.” I can easily see why people who have it would spend 300 bucks a month for it. Thank God for expiring patents and Walmart generics.

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:35:11 +0000

I had the exact opposite problem as Melissa. I was diagnosed this past summer with narcolepsy and my dr started me on 200 mg provigil once a day and upped it to 400 mg (200mg twice a day) when it wasn’t having any effect. Two months of the provigil got me nowhere but 10lbs lighter (nice side effect, but not what i was looking for in such an expensive drug). So I got some free samples of nuvigil from my dr. Did a week of 150mg once a day. Didn’t notice much change if any, so the next week he upped it to 250mg. And it’s actually working. I still don’t eat as much as I used to, but I’m ok with that…small price to pay for being able to stay awake during the day. I still nap a few times a week and have trouble waking up (both from the night and from naps), but I definitely see a big difference. When I forget to take the nuvigil, I spend my entire day planning everything around when I can get a nap in. Not the most productive way to be. Granted, I’ve still got about 6 months left of coupons for it and it’s still fairly expensive, but provigil currently costs more and doesn’t work for me at all. Yeah cephalon is being pretty shady about things, but that doesn’t mean the drug itself is worthless.

By: Tracy

Tracy — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:18:36 +0000

My doc. began me with 200mg Provigil once a day. It was a wonder drug- I felt normal again, slept well at night and woke up refreshed. By the 3rd day, I noticed cracks at the corners of my mouth and a deep red stripe going down the center of my tongue, and a sore throat. It turns out that I’m allergic to my wonder drug. So I’m back to something less than a normal life. My doc. is considering trying the Nuvigil on me, but if it is the same thing with a new name, may as well save my money.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 03:48:56 +0000

Well I guess my doc says only diff is nuvigil Is pure. I took 400 mg provigil for 2.5 yrs and I have one of the worst cases of idiopathic hypersomnia. It wasn’t working as good anymore so at checkup doc said try swiching to nuvigil. I did 4 days ago and I’ve Been falling asleep anywhere including work and driving. Just like if I had none. I had
no side effects ever with provigil it was great, and never effected sleep day or night just made me feel normal and awake, no extra awake like caffeine, just not falling asleep, which motivated me totally. I’m only 24, have a 5 yr old, own my own business, and another job, getting married next year so I need all the motivtion I can get. I probly just need a double dose of the nuvigil. It’s expensive but hey if I can’t afford it, then according to government, I can go on disability. I hope provigil Is good for u!!

By: Steve

Steve — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 18:18:06 +0000

My doc recommended the Nuvigil lower dose first, then refills to 250mg 2 x day. Now that the free refill offers are expired I find out my insc wants $275 for 90 day supply. No way I can do that. Going to try Provigil next.
Nuvigil gave me plenty of energy and I slept better at night. My mood swings weren’t nearly as destructive and I could be somewhat social and moderately in control.
We’ll see what Provigil brings.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:45:36 +0000

So, I can’t belieive that, what about the people who were told this is going to work better for you since the 400mg of provigil isn’t cutting it anymore. Will we still be falling asleep at the wheel? Real nice, I will be searching for the cheap stuff when it comes out. Probly getting the stuff cheap from Cephalon anyway, then cheapening it up to get sales, and then Cephalon still wins. Grrr!!!