Mixing Modafinil With Alcohol

Mixing Alcohol And Modafinil | Side Effects, Interactions And Blackouts

Modafinil is used to promote wakefulness in individuals with certain sleep disorders. Narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, idiopathic hypersomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness and shift work sleep disorder are all indications for Modafinil use.

Taking opioids like oxycodone, fentanyl and hydrocodone alongside Modafinil can result in complications. Patients mixing Modafinil with these drugs may experience a drop in Modafinil plasma concentrations and lead to decreased effectiveness. A severe decline in Modafinil plasma concentrations may result in a sudden onset of withdrawal-like symptoms including mood swings and agitation.

Mixing alcohol and Modafinil can lead a variety of reactions ranging from blackouts to significantly increased alcohol tolerance. More research needs to be done to confirm the effects of taking Modafinil alongside alcohol.

A small percentage of individuals are hypersensitive to Modafinil. Modafinil triggers a minor histamine response in all patients, but for some, this reaction is more severe. Hypersensitive patients can develop a skin rash and may need to discontinue use of the drug. Common side effects of Modafinilinclude nausea, diarrhea, anxiety, insomnia, nervousness, dizziness and gastrointestinal problems. Headaches occur in one-third of patients taking Modafinil.

What Is Modafinil?

Modafinil is a medication that promotes wakefulness through a variety of mechanisms. Although Modafinil is structurally like central nervous system stimulants like amphetamines, its effects and mechanisms of action are notably different.

Modafinil influences the activity of the neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, glutamate, GABA and serotonin. Dopamine is one of the neurotransmitters that seems to be most strongly affected. Modafinil inhibits the reuptake of dopamine through specific dopamine transporter channels but is very selective as to which ones it inhibits. Serotonin activity increases in both the amygdala and frontal cortex with Modafinil use.

Mixing Alcohol And Modafinil

As a rule, you should not mix alcohol with Modafinil. However, more research needs to be done to confirm the effects of combining these two substances. Some healthy individuals taking Modafinil for its cognitive-enhancing effects have reported that mixing Modafinil with alcohol may cause blackouts. Others experience a heightened alcohol tolerance and difficulty feeling drunk despite having more drinks than normal.

Alcohol and Modafinil are two substances that have opposite effects on brain chemistry. Alcohol increases the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA and decreases the activity of glutamate. Modafinil is a GABA antagonist that decreases GABA production and increases glutamate production. The overall effect of combining these two substances is a tug-of-war between opposing neurotransmitters. Modafinil stimulates activity in one direction while alcohol depresses brain activity in the opposite direction. The side effects can be unpredictable.

Summing Up Side Effects, Interactions And Blackouts Of Mixing Alcohol And Modafinil

Modafinil should not be taken with opioids such as oxycodone because it can lead to reduced plasma concentrations of Modafinil and may trigger withdrawal-like symptoms. Mixing Modafinil with alcohol can cause unpredictable complications ranging from dramatically increased alcohol tolerance and blackouts. Side effects of Modafinil use can include a hypersensitivity reaction expressed as a skin rash. Common side effects of Modafinil use include dizziness, diarrhea, anxiety, nervousness, nausea, insomnia and intestinal discomfort.