Frequently asked questions
Click on a question below to find out more about ES and SWSD.
What is SWSD?
SWSD occurs when working the night shift, rotating shifts, or early morning shifts disturbs your natural sleep/wake cycle. This disturbance can lead to ES during waking hours or insomnia during sleeping hours.4
Approximately 15 million Americans perform some type of shift work and many may suffer from SWSD.4,14
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Why is SWSD a problem?
Potential consequences of SWSD include4
- ES15
- Impaired mental ability
- Reduced alertness with consequences for safety
- Reduced work performance
- Disruption of social and family life
- Increased irritability
- Worsening of disorders related to the stomach (gastrointestinal) and heart (cardiovascular)
While PROVIGIL is indicated to treat ES associated with SWSD, it is not indicated to treat other consequences of SWSD.
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How many people with SWSD have ES?
In night shifts, up to 45% of workers experienced ES.15* Early morning shifts that start between 4 AM and 7 AM can be associated with complaints of difficulty falling asleep and awakening, which can result in ES.4 In rotating shifts, 36% of workers experienced ES.15*
As reported in a study of 209 patients with SWSD, the level of ES associated with SWSD during night work was similar to the level of ES seen during the day in patients with narcolepsy.16
*Percentages are based on defining ES as an Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score of ≥10.
Click here to measure your level of sleepiness with the ESS and share your results with your doctor.
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What can I do about ES associated with SWSD?
If you are experiencing ES associated with SWSD, there is a treatment option available to you:
PROVIGIL is a prescription medicine used to improve wakefulness in adults who experience ES associated with SWSD.
PROVIGIL does not replace sleep and may not stop your ES completely. Only you and your doctor can decide if PROVIGIL is right for you, so make an appointment to see your doctor today.
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