Before taking modafinil,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to modafinil, armodafinil (Nuvigil), or any other medications.

tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while taking modafinil. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

the following nonprescription or herbal products may interact with modafinil: omeprazole (Prilosec). Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start taking modafinil. Do not start any of these medications while taking modafinil without discussing with your healthcare provider.

tell your doctor if you drink or have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol, use or have ever used street drugs, or have overused prescription medications, especially stimulants. Also tell your doctor if you have ever had chest pain, an irregular heartbeat, or other heart problems after taking a stimulant, and if you have or have ever had high blood pressure; a heart attack; chest pain; a mental illness such as depression, mania (frenzied, abnormally excited mood), or psychosis (difficulty thinking clearly, communicating, understanding reality, and behaving appropriately); or heart, liver, or kidney disease.

you should know that modafinil may decrease the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills, patches, rings, implants, injections, and intrauterine devices). Use another form of birth control while taking modafinil and for 1 month after you stop taking it. Talk to your doctor about types of birth control that will work for you during and after your treatment with modafinil.

tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking modafinil, call your doctor.

if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking modafinil.

you should know that modafinil may affect your judgment or thinking and may not completely relieve the sleepiness caused by your disorder. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. If you avoided driving and other dangerous activities because of your sleep disorder, do not start performing these activities again without talking to your doctor even if you feel more alert.

be aware that you should avoid drinking alcohol while taking modafinil.