Provigil (modafinil) is a drug that is commonly used to treat disorders such as sleep apnea and narcolepsy, a disorder that causes sudden and uncontrolled states of deep sleep. Provigil is  produced by Cephalon Inc., the company that developed Vivitrol, alcoholism treatment drug. Many alcoholics like to use Provigil also, not to curb their alcoholism, but to avoid the hang over. Mixing drugs with alcohol is always bad along with lowering the immune system exacerbating the drug’s side effects. And provigil’s side effects are gruesome to say the least.

The Types of Rashes Provigil (modafinil) Causes

Rashes are not created equal. Some rashes are harmless blotches caused by anything from dry air to cheap soap. The rashes caused by provigil are specifically caused by the use of pharmaceuticals and thus are particularly nasty. They start small and are often initially misdiagnosed. They can expand across the body, become open sores, and invite foreign infections not related to the rash itself. The result can often be fatal for the sufferer.

• Erythema multiforme (EM) bulbous - Typically round with well-defined borders. Shows up mostly on the hands, feet, arms, or legs. The rashes are small and irritating, but don’t usually cover the body.
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) blotchy – These are large oddly shaped blisters that cover the back, chest, or both. The lesions are small to large, irritating, and contain puss. Treatment should be immediate to avoid infections and further spreading.
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) with spots – These are widespread, irregularly shaped blisters. These blisters are huge and become filled with puss. They can cover the body and leave large open sores that are prone to a variety of infections.
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) without spots – Like it’s spotty brother, it is widespread, covering the chest and back. These rashes are smaller, but do not commonly blister. They peel off in large strips of skin exposing the area to infection.
• Overlap Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis (SJS-TEN) all above – This is the most deadly side effect of the drug, which culminates all of the worst elements of the above rashes. Symptoms are described above, but only manifests itself once the rash has become fully realized. Once these rashes are diagnosed, the patient is immediately hospitalized in the burn unit and treated as critical.

Provigil: Stevens-Johns Syndrome (SJS)

Stevens-Johns Syndrome (SJS) is not a small matter. The symptoms often start with flu-like symptoms including fatigue and fever, followed by a red or purple rash that spreads and blisters, eventually causing the top skin layer of the effected area to die and shed. This could mean losing most of the skin off the back and chest. Thus, as stated above, the patient is commonly treated in the burn unit of the hospital.

Stevens-Johns Syndrome, if caught early, can be treated and recovered from in a matter of weeks. If caught too late, it could mean months of treatment and painful recovery that could leave severe scaring and mental anguish.

In some cases SJS has been known to kill a patient if they are not in a properly sterilized environment. Children are also particularly susceptible to catching it. In juvenile drug trials conducted by Cephalon Inc. to gauge the effects of Provigil on children, they diagnosed five SJS cases.

FDA Warning of Provigil (modafinil) Side Effects

The FDA has issued a warning to consumers about the dire side effects of Provigil. The side effects are not limited to merely deadly rashes. The FDA also warns of psychological effects. The side effects are:

• Anxiety
• Mania
• Hallucinations
• Suicidal ideation (thoughts of suicide)
• Multi-organ Hypersenesitivity
• Angioedema (severe swelling)
• Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
• Erythema multiforme
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis

If you or a loved on takes Provigil (modafinil) or has taken it and has suffered the above complications it is important that you call Phillips Webster to find out your options to being protected as a consumer. Call for a consultation on your legal rights.