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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 34. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on March 31, 2008, at 10:37:26
I googled it and it doesn't look like the second patent is due to expire until 2015. But how did they manage to get a second patent, and why is it extending it for all uses of Provigil? The first patent would have expired in 2007.
My insurance company fights me constantly on getting my sufficient dose of 300 mg per day. They'll give me 200 mg, and I'm supposed to get it refilled every twenty days. But it never works that way. By the time I've finished fighting, it's thirty days again.
If it's true that they're trying to get approval for Nuvigil, does that mean they might lose the continuing court battles over preventing Provigil generics?
Posted by JayBTV2 on March 31, 2008, at 10:41:26
In reply to Any hope for Provigil generic?, posted by Dinah on March 31, 2008, at 10:37:26
Apparently they paid off the four or so generic drug makers to not make a generic version for an extended period :(
From Wikipedia:
However, a settlement in which Cephalon apparently paid out US$ 200 million to four generic drug manufacturers[51] may mean that generic forms of the drug will become available in April 2012 (October 2011 prior to the six month extension).
Posted by Dinah on March 31, 2008, at 11:08:09
In reply to Re: Any hope for Provigil generic?, posted by JayBTV2 on March 31, 2008, at 10:41:26
Well, I suppose I know where they got the money to make that payout. :(
It is so prohibitively expensive that if my insurance refused to cover it, I just couldn't take it. It keeps me productive enough to work, but I don't know that it keeps my paycheck high enough to cover that sort of expense.
It's very very frustrating.
Posted by JayBTV2 on March 31, 2008, at 11:20:18
In reply to Re: Any hope for Provigil generic? » JayBTV2, posted by Dinah on March 31, 2008, at 11:08:09
I know what you mean. I was on it for a little while and paying almost $10 a pill made it not an option.
You could call them and see if they can help get your insurance to cover it:
http://www.provigil.com/pat/reimbursement.aspx
I fall into the no insurance category so in that case you can try for the "freebies"....but I never did stick w/ it long enough to try them on that...
Good luck :)
-Jay
Posted by Molybdenum on March 31, 2008, at 12:25:02
In reply to Re: Any hope for Provigil generic? » JayBTV2, posted by Dinah on March 31, 2008, at 11:08:09
> Well, I suppose I know where they got the money to make that payout. :(
>
> It is so prohibitively expensive that if my insurance refused to cover it, I just couldn't take it. It keeps me productive enough to work, but I don't know that it keeps my paycheck high enough to cover that sort of expense.
>
> It's very very frustrating.I am in exactly the same situation. The modafinil really helps me to work but I just can't afford it.
The only way to get it cheaply in Australia (gov't subsidized pricing) is to fall under a very specific category of disorders - narcolepsy with an almost impossible MSLT score. My sleep doctor says only one of his patients comes close to qualifying.
So I'm stuck with Ritalin because it's so cheap but the highs & lows make getting through the day a very bumpy ride.
I read the other day about a new preparation of methylphenidate that is like a plastic slugg that leaches out a steady dose of methylphenidate all day long. Sounds good but these preps come close to the modafinil price. Hence back to the pocket full of 10mg Ritalin nasties.... ;)
Posted by Molybdenum on March 31, 2008, at 16:47:39
In reply to Re: Any hope for Provigil generic?, posted by JayBTV2 on March 31, 2008, at 10:41:26
> Apparently they paid off the four or so generic drug makers to not make a generic version for an extended period :(
>
> From Wikipedia:
>
> However, a settlement in which Cephalon apparently paid out US$ 200 million to four generic drug manufacturers[51] may mean that generic forms of the drug will become available in April 2012 (October 2011 prior to the six month extension).I read this too - I have been waiting for generic modafinil for years now & thought it was scheduled for 2008.
I don't understand how they can hope to control ALL the little generic drug manufacturers in the world. What's to stop some little factory in Mexico from pumping out the pills. I don't think copy write is a problem there.....
Posted by Dinah on March 31, 2008, at 17:52:03
In reply to Re: Any hope for Provigil generic?, posted by JayBTV2 on March 31, 2008, at 11:20:18
I'm going to hope for the best again this month, but if that doesn't work, I will contact them. My doctor also told them to call him if they couldn't fill the prescription.
Posted by Dinah on March 31, 2008, at 19:09:08
In reply to Re: Any hope for Provigil generic?, posted by Molybdenum on March 31, 2008, at 12:25:02
That's why my sleep doctor doesn't even want to try Ritalin or Adderall. He doesn't think it's wise given my anxiety disorder.
Although I certainly manage to take a fair amount of caffeine.
Posted by bleauberry on March 31, 2008, at 20:14:15
In reply to Any hope for Provigil generic?, posted by Dinah on March 31, 2008, at 10:37:26
Generic provigil is all over the world. Just not the US. Type in google "modafinil generic" and you'll find bunches of overseas pharmacies that ship it internationally. The FDA is ok with it as long as it is for personal use, under a doctor's care, and not more than a 90 day supply. Prescriptions are not needed, but having one anyway is a good idea.
As with all generics though, USA or not, you cannot be guaranteed the generic will be of equal potency, equal quality, or equal efficacy of the real stuff. We've seen that a lot here with drugs like Xanax, Prozac, and others. Some people do fine with generics, while others can tell a huge difference from brand.
Posted by cactus on April 1, 2008, at 2:32:44
In reply to Re: Any hope for Provigil generic? » Molybdenum, posted by Dinah on March 31, 2008, at 19:09:08
> That's why my sleep doctor doesn't even want to try Ritalin or Adderall. He doesn't think it's wise given my anxiety disorder.
>
> Although I certainly manage to take a fair amount of caffeine.I'm in the exactly same predicament in Australia Dinah. It's outrageously expensive and I have to pay the full amount myself, but I'd rather watch my pennies and take modafinil (modavigil here) than take amphetamines. It's been a fantastic drug for me and I too get by on 200mg daily with coffee, it's all I can afford, but I get 120 tabs per script which costs me between $400-500 Australian Dollars and it lasts me 2 months. I don't even want to consider amphetamines being a GAD sufferer, my sleep specialist was even a quite reluctant to let me try it. Modafinil made me a little edgy at first but it went away very quickly. ARRRGGGGHHHH!!!!!!! It's so frustrating, maybe I should go pimp myself for a little extra cash, LOL!!!!
Posted by Dinah on April 1, 2008, at 17:28:30
In reply to Re: I bloody hope so? » Dinah, posted by cactus on April 1, 2008, at 2:32:44
It really is great in that way. I feel less sleepy but in no way jittery or speeded up. The caffeine does that but not the Provigil.
I understand the need to recoup research and development costs. But this is the highest priced med I've ever been on.
Posted by undopaminergic on April 1, 2008, at 22:09:24
In reply to Re: Any hope for Provigil generic?, posted by bleauberry on March 31, 2008, at 20:14:15
Co-administration of methylphenidate may lower the effective dose of modafinil, thus reducing cost. Indeed, I don't notice any effect of modafinil (up to at least 800 mg) at all unless I also take methylphenidate.
Ordering modafinil (or other substances) in bulk (as pure crystalline powder) can lower cost. I recently got some from [xxx], but there are probably cheaper sources, at least for larger quantities.
Note that modafinil is a controlled substance (Schedule IV) in the US (but not Europe/Australia), and the importation without proper licencing may - at least in theory - result in legal problems. At the very least, any modafinil discovered by customs is likely to be confiscated.
Posted by Dr. Bob on April 2, 2008, at 0:52:02
In reply to Re: Any hope for Provigil generic?, posted by undopaminergic on April 1, 2008, at 22:09:24
> I recently got some from [xxx]
Please don't use this site to exchange information that could be used to import into the US prescription medication without a prescription.
But please don't take this personally, either, this doesn't mean I don't like you or think you're a bad person.
I encourage anyone who has questions about this or about posting policies in general, or is interested in alternative ways of expressing themselves, to see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#illegal
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#enforceFollow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by cactus on April 2, 2008, at 2:14:48
In reply to Re: I bloody hope so? » cactus, posted by Dinah on April 1, 2008, at 17:28:30
> It really is great in that way. I feel less sleepy but in no way jittery or speeded up. The caffeine does that but not the Provigil.
>
> I understand the need to recoup research and development costs. But this is the highest priced med I've ever been on.Me too, but you can't get 200mg tabs here, they are all 100mg tabs.
Posted by llurpsienoodle on April 2, 2008, at 11:29:18
In reply to Re: I bloody hope so? » Dinah, posted by cactus on April 2, 2008, at 2:14:48
OTOH,
with worldwide coffee prices rising, many people pay close to 2$ per retail cup. Perhaps 5 cups of coffee is not prudent, but it comes *close* to the price of provigil.-Ll
Posted by cactus on April 2, 2008, at 16:04:25
In reply to Re: I bloody hope so? » cactus, posted by llurpsienoodle on April 2, 2008, at 11:29:18
> OTOH,
> with worldwide coffee prices rising, many people pay close to 2$ per retail cup. Perhaps 5 cups of coffee is not prudent, but it comes *close* to the price of provigil.
>
> -LlThanks Li, but like Dinah I get more jitters from coffee than modafinil, so I've had to limit my intake of caffeine. Wobbly pictures aren't greatly appreciated in the newsroom.
Also Dinah I'm paying almost $11 a tab for 100mg tabs and 2 coffee's is less than 1 pillLi i have missed your sense of humor, you made me laugh out loud
Posted by llurpsienoodle on April 2, 2008, at 16:25:43
In reply to Re: I bloody hope so? Dinah)) » llurpsienoodle, posted by cactus on April 2, 2008, at 16:04:25
> > OTOH,
> > with worldwide coffee prices rising, many people pay close to 2$ per retail cup. Perhaps 5 cups of coffee is not prudent, but it comes *close* to the price of provigil.
> >
> > -Ll
>
> Thanks Li, but like Dinah I get more jitters from coffee than modafinil, so I've had to limit my intake of caffeine. Wobbly pictures aren't greatly appreciated in the newsroom.
> Also Dinah I'm paying almost $11 a tab for 100mg tabs and 2 coffee's is less than 1 pill
>
> Li i have missed your sense of humor, you made me laugh out loudAww, thank you cactus :) In all earnestness, I found that the provigil augments the caffeine, that you need less to feel good. yes, I believe caffeine boosts mood, well, before you die of heart palpitations and getting fired for wobbly pics.
you can usually find my sense of humor in my posts scattered over the /psychology/ board. if you dare to go there! And Sometimes I'm just plain not funny, so maybe best stay away and keep the illusion alive,
-Ll
Posted by cactus on April 3, 2008, at 2:57:44
In reply to Re: I bloody hope so? » cactus, posted by llurpsienoodle on April 2, 2008, at 16:25:43
we all have our good and bad days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope you're doing well, take care. C.
Posted by Dopamine123 on April 4, 2008, at 12:16:32
In reply to Re: I bloody hope so? » llurpsienoodle, posted by cactus on April 3, 2008, at 2:57:44
Somehow the maker of provigil was able to stop generics makers from making this drug.
http://www.modafinil.com/generic/index.html
>"Barr spokeswoman Carol Cox said the generic-drug maker won't have a product on the market any time soon because the application is subject to litigation.Cephalon Inc., the maker of Provigil, the brand name for Modafinil, alleges Barr infringed its patent on the drug. A trial is scheduled for next January in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey.
Modafinil had annual sales of about $289 million, as of Nov. 30."
According to this website:
>Modafanil is marketed as 'Alertec' in Canada - and over the Net. 'Alertec' is less expensive than 'Provigil'. Cheap generic modafinil has been available since 2006. But Cephalon is vigorously litigating to defend its patents.So maybe it won't be too much longer for the generic to come out.
Posted by Molybdenum on April 5, 2008, at 19:38:55
In reply to Re: Any hope for Provigil generic?, posted by undopaminergic on April 1, 2008, at 22:09:24
> Co-administration of methylphenidate may lower the effective dose of modafinil, thus reducing cost. Indeed, I don't notice any effect of modafinil (up to at least 800 mg) at all unless I also take methylphenidate.
>
> Ordering modafinil (or other substances) in bulk (as pure crystalline powder) can lower cost. I recently got some from [xxx], but there are probably cheaper sources, at least for larger quantities.
>
> Note that modafinil is a controlled substance (Schedule IV) in the US (but not Europe/Australia), and the importation without proper licencing may - at least in theory - result in legal problems. At the very least, any modafinil discovered by customs is likely to be confiscated.
>I'm glad I found your post again, 'cos I was reading the data sheet for modafinil & thought you should be aware....
"Methylphenidate The absorption of MODAVIGIL® may be delayed by approximately one hour when co-administered with methylphenidate."
That's from a PDF I found on the net. The filename is "cspmodav28126.pdf" If you want it or can't find it let me know & I'll email you.
Take Care
M.
Posted by undopaminergic on April 6, 2008, at 21:18:35
In reply to Re: Any hope for Provigil generic?, posted by Molybdenum on April 5, 2008, at 19:38:55
> > Co-administration of methylphenidate may lower the effective dose of modafinil, thus reducing cost. Indeed, I don't notice any effect of modafinil (up to at least 800 mg) at all unless I also take methylphenidate.
>
> I'm glad I found your post again, 'cos I was reading the data sheet for modafinil & thought you should be aware....
>
> "Methylphenidate The absorption of MODAVIGIL® may be delayed by approximately one hour when co-administered with methylphenidate."
>
> That's from a PDF I found on the net. The filename is "cspmodav28126.pdf" If you want it or can't find it let me know & I'll email you.
>Thanks for the reminder, but I don't think delayed absorption is a serious problem. Probably a rapid onset would be desirable if you were trying to produce euphoria, but I'm unfortunately immune to such effects of stimulants (although I haven't tried IV or smoking).
Posted by FredPotter on April 8, 2008, at 15:37:13
In reply to Re: Any hope for Provigil generic?, posted by undopaminergic on April 6, 2008, at 21:18:35
Is Provigil a good antidepressant or anxiolytic?
Posted by Robert35 on April 9, 2008, at 12:05:30
In reply to Re: Any hope for Provigil generic?, posted by FredPotter on April 8, 2008, at 15:37:13
> Is Provigil a good antidepressant or anxiolytic?
Some say it augments ad's very well.
Atmlady wrote a message about her very good experience on 27-2-'08 in the Neurotransmitters forum (on this site).
I started taking it (100 mgs per day next to fluoxetine and tramadol) last Saturday but first days I had some bad side-effects (mostly fear, confusion and slowness of mind (which are bad at my work of course)).
Now I split one tablet in four and take it during the day after I felt the lift in the morning was followed by a crash around 5.00 pm..
I still have to see if it will work for me.
(Options I have after say 2 weeks: leave out tramadol bit by bit (and use it only late in the evening; increasing the dose of provigil).
I remember some people reported doing very well at askapatient.com; the av. rating is 3.7 (314 ratings).
Hope this helps,Robert
Posted by atmlady on April 9, 2008, at 17:06:13
In reply to Re: Any hope for Provigil generic?, posted by Robert35 on April 9, 2008, at 12:05:30
Yep, I am very happy with the Provigil I have added to my Ixel. It has lifted my brain fog and I am much more alert and focused. I am still struggling with a more physical fatigue - just can't seem to get back to running, working out. But as for work or school or gardening or photography, things like that I am very much able to enjoy again. I am only taking 100mg of the provigil, and it did take about 2 weeks for me to get used to. First few days I was flying high and had trouble falling asleep at night, but now it's just an alertness and an interest in cerebral things like crossword puzzles, planning a new area of the garden, learning more of the functions of my camera. Schoolwork is going well, I can pump out an essay in no time. Stuff I can sit on the couch and do comes easy. Sleep not an issue anymore. But wish I felt like exercising again. I am so fatigued, physically, still! Am pumping myself full of vitamins and glutamine, but so far no luck on that. Anyone have ideas on what could help pep me up physically but not mentally?
Posted by Robert35 on April 11, 2008, at 6:00:34
In reply to Provigil Good w/ ADs IMHO » Robert35, posted by atmlady on April 9, 2008, at 17:06:13
> Anyone have ideas on what could help pep me up physically but not mentally?
Hi atmlady,
I did run last Friday and to my surprise I could run more distance than usually and in a breeze !
I am a pain patient but I wasn't distracted by pain !!
It still can be a hassle to get yourself ready to run (maybe it works for you (like for me) when you don't 'think' too much about it: like they say "just do it" ;-).
Supposedly provigil is not a stimulant in a physical way, but apparently I worked right for me.
Maybe you could drink a extra cup of coffee before running ... it feels like provigil enforces the action of caffeine and that works physically (at least it seems to be doing that for me) ?Can I ask you a question ?
Do you think provigil interferes badly with creativity or 'higher mental processes' ?
This first week I experienced: difficulty finding the right words and being clumsy (things like: flipping a box with my contacts on the floor :-P but also socially) and being continuous fearfull (though not extreme still hard to cope with; battling this with benzo's don't seem to work at all).
And also: a lack of interest (lack of focus ?) in my job.
Does it interfere with your writing a thesis ?
E.g. faulty build of sentences (seeming to be done too hastily)?
Do you think the benefits come with a prize ?Thanks anyway !
I am much interested in reading more about your experiences with the provigil (and of others as well).
I hope you keep doing so well !Robert
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