Effect of Modafinil on Fatigue Associated with Neurological Illnesses

Abstract

Fatigue is a common symptom of a variety of neurological illnesses, such as Alzheimer's disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and stroke. Fatigue severely impairs productivity, performance, social functioning, and quality of life. Modafinil (PROVIGIL(r)) has been shown to significantly improve fatigue associated with multiple sclerosis and depression. Here, a retrospective review of the medical charts of 25 patients treated with modafinil for fatigue associated with various neurological illnesses was conducted. Modafinil was effective for the treatment of fatigue in 21 of 25 patients (84%), and was well tolerated. Therefore, modafinil appears to be a potentially attractive candidate for the treatment of fatigue associated with neurological disorders.