title: Modafinil: a gift to portmanteau.
abstract: This article reviews the use of modafinil in palliative care, and its use in promoting vigilance and wakefulness. Modafinil's therapeutic and chemical class, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, indications, dosage, side effects, and drug interactions are also discussed. Modafinil seems to fit the requirements of portmanteau, using one drug to treat multiple symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Ohio Pain Initiative, Columbus, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pappagallo
mesh_terms: D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D005221:Fatigue / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077408:Modafinil; D018579:Patient Selection; D011788:Quality of Life; D012894:Sleep Stages / Q000187:drug effects*; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D000077408:Modafinil