Posted by JohnL on October 17, 2000, at 4:53:49
In reply to Adrafinil, JohnL? Cam?, posted by CarolAnn on October 16, 2000, at 11:07:47
> Hey guys, boy I feel like a pest, 'cause I know I've asked about this before!
> Anyway, I just ordered some Adrafinil, and want to know (JohnL), is it effective with 'each' dose, or do I have to take it regularly (like an antidepressant) and let it 'build' up for effectivness? If it's the latter, how long until it 'kicks' in?
> Anything else ya'll think I should know?
> thanks a bunch! CarolAnn
> p.s. if you feel like it, I'd love updates on how you both *are*, lately.CarolAnne a pest? I think not! ALWAYS happy to talk with you!
I discovered some info on the web recently that I hadn't seen before. It is pasted below for you to read. It will answer all your questions and tell you a lot about your new medication.
I wish you well with it. And I wish Cam was feeling better. Cam, if you're reading this, I send you my heartfelt support. Hang in there!
I've stopped and restarted Adrafinil a couple times, so I'm pretty familiar with it now. For me it works very well. It seems to really increase motivation and interests, without any kind of amphetamine feeling at all. I would start with one pill per day, just to feel it out. If you feel any anxiety or uneasiness (not common), that should go away fairly soon. If you handle one pill OK, then go up to 2 a day, perhaps one at breakfast and one at lunch. You can even go up to 4, though some people have taken even more than that for narcolepsy. Since it does take a while to take hold, I almost think an 'attack dose' strategy might be good...that is, as long as high doses early in the game don't cause any anxiety feelings. After an initial high attack dose, then one could reduce the dose to a lower maintenance dose. For me though, the usual slow and low method works best. I do fine with just one pill per day.
Adrafinil seems pretty mild to me. Not as tame as herbs, but not heavy duty like more common meds. The fact that it can be so mild and yet work so well always amazes me. Another thing about Adrafinil that is different from other meds is that it can be of benefit to completely normal people as well, not just someone who's suffering. Normal people will experience increased motivation, interest, and mental cognition. Though you may feel it very quickly, it usually comes on slowly. The info below will tell you what to expect:
Adrafinil
Amazing Breakthrough In
Perception Stimulation.
Reprinted from Offshore Medical TherapiesEven though the aging process does not always lead to dementia, it is a sad fact that unusual fatigue and lowered mental energy
are often very common, even amongst so-called "middle-aged" people1.The good news is that a French drug therapy is now available to combat this worrying condition. This new breakthrough is
called ADRAFINIL, and is usually sold under the brand name OLMIFONTM. Thus, it has now become possible to effectivelyt reat this decline in mental ability.WHY DOES ADRAFINIL WORK?
Adrafinil works directly on special receptors in the brain, these are called postsynaptic receptors2,3. Since adrafinil works
directly on those sites which control alertness and does not interfere with any other brain function, it has been a very successful
treatment. (It should be noted that this direct action means that mental stimulation is achieved WITHOUT raising blood pressure
or affecting heart rate).Adrafinil acts on the chemical processes of the brain to prevent the loss of alertness and the depression that occurs with increasing age 4,5.
Adrafinil is a completely new substance, unique in its special action on alertness.
You will note that adrafinil is the first of, what will almost certainly be, a whole new generation of safe, non-addictive antidepressants.
Adrafinil is the founder member of this new generation of drugs, which are known as "eugregorics" (eu=good, gregor=arousal)6.
The main properties of a eugregoric substance are:
improved short term memory. improved attention and concentration.
enhanced clarity of thought.
normalization of sleep patterns.
less mental fatigue.
higher quality of self-awareness.
raised levels of optimism and enthusiasm for day to day life.
freedom from depression.These benefits are experienced by almost all adult age groups.
Adrafinil is the only eugregoric drug that is currently available.
Adrafinil allows a restoration of daytime alertness and studies indicate that it helps to prevent brain aging7,8. Adrafinil can be
effectively used to correct ALL of the following conditions:general physical and mental fatigue.
loss of initiative.
reduction of motor activity.
lack of, or decline of interest in social events.
a drop in intellectual ability and a lack of new ideas.
memory problems and a fall in efficiency, productivity and creativity.WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
A fascinating aspect of adrafinil is its unusual way of working - different effects occur as the course of treatment is continued.
Adrafinil has three distinct effects which occur at different times during the treatment period. We list below an approximate
timetable of events:1) After 8 to 10 days of treatment, motor effects are seen:
Increased "get up and go", which permits the return of full physical activity.
An improvement in the ability to "get things done".
Muscular fatigue and motor blocks disappear.2) After 15 days of treatment, there is a powerful re-energizing effect on activity, which allows a full restoration of functional
ability, improved desire to take a full part in life and enhanced energy levels.3) After 1 to 3 months of treatment, cognitive effects are seen. Intellectual function is improved, in particular, the ability to
formulate new ideas and recall information.AN ALERTNESS BOOST.
The effects of adrafinil are totally different from the other psychostimulants such as amphetamine, caffeine etc. Common
stimulants like caffeine, only lead to fleeting and sterile stimulation, not to mention the problems of tolerance which occur when they are used for long periods.ATTITUDE IMPROVEMENT.
Adrafinil can produce amazing improvements in a person's general attitude:
absent-mindedness becomes concentration.
irritability becomes tranquillity.
bad moods become good moods.
quiet people become talkative.
reserved people become open.
passive people become active.
drowsy people become wide-awake.Adrafinil's stimulating properties are NOT produced by amphetamine methods, thus it can be safely used without fear of
addiction. In addition to this adrafinil benefits are both therapeutic and long-lasting, helping to restore decision making abilities
and the mental functions which allow a better adaptation to both the working and social environmentsSUMMARY.
Adrafinil (sold as OlmifonTM) is an exciting and unique development in the battle against brain aging and the subsequent decline
in mental function. For the past 3 years adrafinil has been used to treat Alzheimer's victims in France9,10. Sadly, although it
cannot cure the disease, initial indications are that it can certainly arrest the development of senile dementia during the early stages of mental decline.Whilst adrafinil is not a cure for senile dementia, scientific studies show that it may well be the much sought after preventative to
mental deterioration. This is in addition to its remarkable antidepressant effects.Adrafinil can be used to increase intellectual ability and creativity and could be of special value to the following groups:
computer enthusiasts.
artists and writers or any involved in creative activities.
those studying for examinations.
those looking to increase their social skills.DOSAGE.
2 to 4 tablets per day. Adrafinil is a powerful brain stimulant and this dose should not be exceeded. In contrast to stimulants like
amphetamine and caffeine, adrafinil does not disturb sleep patterns.Some people can experience mild agitation and feelings of aggression or excitement when they first start the treatment. If this
occurs, the dose is reduced until the symptoms disappear. Gradually increase the dose over a period of time until the best
tolerated level is reached.Most people find that adrafinil is well tolerated.
Under 65 years of age take 1 to 2 tablets in the morning and at midday, preferably with food.
70 years of age and above take 1 tablet in the morning and at midday, preferably with food.
The reduced dosage for the older person is due to the increased sensitivity of the elderly to this therapy.
CAUTIONS.
Adrafinil has a good safety record, however, there a number of important precautions. Those with epilepsy, liver or kidney
impairment should not use adrafinil.Adrafinil should not be used along with major tranquillizers, e.g. pimozide, haloperidol, chlorpromazine etc.
Prolonged treatment (i.e. in excess of 5 months) should be avoided unless the level of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase is monitored.
poster:JohnL
thread:46483
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001012/msgs/46536.html