{"id":7744,"date":"2019-06-21T09:23:59","date_gmt":"2019-06-21T13:23:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theothershift.com\/?p=7744"},"modified":"2021-07-23T23:38:04","modified_gmt":"2021-07-24T03:38:04","slug":"shift-work-medications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theothershift.com\/shift-work-medications\/","title":{"rendered":"Shift Work Medication Review – What Should You Be Taking?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Do you struggle to fall and stay asleep? Have you been diagnosed with insomnia, shift work sleep disorder (SWSD) or narcolepsy? From sedative type medications, to those labeled as “wakefulness promoting,” let’s find out what’s recommended to shift workers, what they do and the side effects to be aware of.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pills<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Shift work medications like Provigil and Nuvigil can assist in relieving symptoms of shift work sleep disorder, narcolepsy and insomnia, though they don’t fix the cause. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the sleep \/ wake cycle and can be taken orally, but we suggest consulting a doctor first.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before “popping a pill”<\/a> to help me sleep after a night shift or stay awake while working, I will look at all other alternatives first. However, there could be times a natural alternative is not enough to provide the relief we need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post explores common shift work medications used to treat the symptoms of regular shift work disorders. The information provided here is purely educational and not intended to endorse a specific drug or recommend therapy. You must see your doctor for that<\/em>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drug<\/th>Other Generic Names<\/th>Use<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Provigil<\/td>Modafinil, Alertec<\/td>Sleep apnea, excessive daytime sleepiness, shift work sleep disorder (SWSD), narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)<\/td><\/tr>
Nuvigil<\/td>Armodafinil<\/td>Attention deficit disorder (ADD), hypersomnia, SWSD, excessive daytime sleepiness associated with OSA, narcolepsy. We’ve also heard it used to treat chronic fatigue syndrome and major depressive disorder.<\/td><\/tr>
Zolpidem<\/td>Ambien, Zolpimist, Ambien CR, Ambien and Intermezzo<\/td>Insomnia<\/td><\/tr>
Eszopiclone<\/td>Lunesta<\/td>Insomnia<\/td><\/tr>
Melatonin *<\/td>Nil<\/td>Insomnia and trouble sleeping<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

* The only medication on this list that you can buy over the counter and doesn’t require a script from your doctor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Energy Hit – Shift Work Medications to Give You a Boost!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Shift Work Medication: Provigil<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What is Provigil?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A “wakefulness-promoting” medication you take orally. It belongs in the stimulant family and you’re required to have a prescription by your doctor in order to get it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Shift Workers Have Reported it Works:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n