Impact of Modafinil Add-on with Atypical Anti-psychotics on Excessive Daytime Drowsiness

BACKGROUND: Atypical antipsychotic drugs are known to cause many side effects which include daytime drowsiness. So many add on drugs are tried to reduce the same. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 72 patients who were on atypical antipsychotic drugs were randomly assigned to either Modafinil or placebo and were followed for a period of 12 weeks. Daytime drowsiness, was taken at baseline, week 3, and at week 12 by using VAS, EDD scales. RESULTS: The results were analyzed and showed that the Modafinil add on therapy significantly reduced the daytime Drowsiness. CONCLUSIONS: Modafinil could be a potential candidate in selected group of patients to decrease some of the unwanted adverse events like daytime drowsiness produced by atypical antipsychotics.