Modafinil is a prescribed medication that helps with daytime sleepiness in certain sleep disorders including sleep apnea and narcolepsy. There are several important things you need to know about this medication.
Serious Rash
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) is a rare serious, life-threatening rash that has been linked to the use of modafinil. You should stop the medication if you notice a painful rash involving the eyes, lips, mouth, or other mucous membranes (such as oral ulcers or genital ulcers), and seek medical attention immediately
- The risk of getting SJS is very low, and the risk is estimated to be 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 10,000.
Birth Defects
Modafinil is associated with an increased risk for birth defects (congenital malformations). Most research studies have shown that there is a higher risk for birth defects, while a few others have shown no increased risk. Health Canada now advises that women who are or may become pregnant should not take modafinil.
Contraception Efficacy
Modafinil also interacts with certain types of contraceptives, which may make them less effective and increase your chances of getting pregnant. Although research in this area is limited, it may be important to make sure you are using the right contraceptive method when taking modafinil.
What Are Safe Contraception Options While On Modafinil?
- Non-oral contraceptives are not affected by modafinil, and this includes copper intra-uterine devices (IUDs) and locally-acting hormonal IUDs (Mirena/Kyleena). Other forms of contraception also include condoms and barrier methods, but these are less effective.
What If I Am Pregnant or Breastfeeding?
- If you are planning to become pregnant and/or breastfeeding, your physician will advise stopping modafinil unless the benefits of the medications clearly outweigh the potential risk to the fetus. In the vast majority of cases, patients will choose to stop modafinil.
What If I Stop Modafinil And Do Not Plan to Be Pregnant? Do I Still Need to Keep Taking a Non-Hormonal Contraceptive?
- If you stop modafinil, you should continue to use a non-hormonal contraceptive for 2 months after stopping, because it may continue to reduce the effectiveness of hormonal birth control for up to 2 months.
| Types of contraceptive | Examples | Reduced effectiveness while on modafinil? |
|---|---|---|
| Combined oral contraceptives (‘the pill’) | Yasmin® Cilest® Mycrogynon® 30 ED Femodene® ED Logynon® Qlaira® | May reduce effectiveness |
| Transdermal Patch | Evra | May reduce effectiveness |
| Vaginal delivery system (‘vaginal ring’) | NuvaRing SyreniRing | May reduce effectiveness |
| Subdermal Implant | Nexplanon® | May reduce effectiveness |
| Progesterone-only oral contraceptives (the ‘mini pill’) including emergency contraception | Desogestrel Cerazete Zelleta Levonorgestrel 30 Lovonelle one step Ellaone | May reduce effectiveness |
| Progesterone-only Intrauterine system (IUD) (the ‘coil’) | Mirena® Kyleena® Levosert® Jaydess® | No impact |
| Depot Medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) | Depot-Provera Sayana Press | No impact |
| Depot Norethisterone enantate | Noristerat® | No impact |
| Intra-uterine contraceptive device-copper (IUD-Cu) (the ‘coil’) including as an emergency contraceptive | TT380® Slimline Multiload® UT380 standard® Flexi-T® 300 Neo-Safe® T380 | No impact |