Good News On Modafinil (Provigil) for ADD

[TheNewFlesh]

Well, I don't know how many of you have been following these things, but Cephalon Inc., the manufacturers of Provigil, have gotten the go ahead from the FDA to market it as a treatment for child AD(H)D under the name Sparlon (previously known as Attenace).   

Apparently, they're bumping up the dosage considerably and changing the formulation, although the latter might just be a reference to the dosage change.  It looks like, at least from what I could find, the dosages are going to be 340mg and 425 mg (this is from when it was known as Attenace). 

Originally, Sparlon was supposed to be made available at the begining of the year, but due to the sudden death issues with the other ADD meds/stimulants, it's being held up.  At this point, it's likely that you won't be seeing it on the market until at least May, as there's going to be an FDA panel on Sparlon on March 23rd, at which point a decision should be made on whether or not to give it the final go ahead for widespread marketing.

Now, while the only real difference between Sparlon and Provigil seems to be dosage, the fact that it's approved specifically for AD(H)D, albeit in children, should make it much, much easier to get through insurance.  I've tried to get Provigil from my insurance but have been denied because I'm not narcoleptic and I'm unemployed, so I can't use the work shift disorder line.  I definitely prefer modafinil to amphetamine.  Not nearly as jittery and anxiety-producing, at least for me, and does as good a job at dealing with the AD(H)D symptoms.  That, and Schedule II drugs are just a pain in the ass to deal with.  I do find it interesting, though, that they're using so much higher doses for AD(H)D than for narcolepsy.  Hope people find this enlightening.