Students turn to harmful drug to improve grades
Modafinil is marketed to students as a concentration-boosting pill
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By: Ben Foulds
A Doctor from the University Student Health Centre has voiced his concern that students may be buying a potentially harmful drug over the internet.
Dr. Vik Mohan said this week that modafinil, which is only licensed in the UK for prescription against cases of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and Narcolepsy, is being used by some students to aid concentration when studying.
“This is not only an inappropriate use for the product, but a potentially dangerous one as well,” said Dr. Mohan.
“I have only prescribed modafinil once in my life, for a case of Narcolepsy, and that was carried out under special supervision.”
Modafinil is a powerful stimulant, and works in a similar way to amphetamines and cocaine. In women, it has been proven to interfere with the oral contraceptive pill, making it less effective. There are also concerns about the drug possibly being addictive.
With the expansion of the internet, the ready availability of drugs such as modafinil has increased. One website offers packs of 50 200mg tablets for £37 each. The website states that the drug is ideal for “students cramming for exams and basically anyone who is trying to squeeze a few more hours out of the day or just trying to improve their mental alertness.”
Modafinil, sometimes known commercially as ‘Provigil’, has been the subject of bad publicity in the past. In 2004, it was added to the World Anti-Doping Agency ‘Prohibited List’ as a banned stimulant.
Dr. Mohan said, “I have no doubt that it works for the purposes for which it is being used, but then so does cocaine. People assume that it is safe to use because it is officially a pharmaceutical drug.
“Whilst we are not against the principle of buying drugs online, we would urge students that if they are, or are considering, purchasing this kind of product over the Internet, it is strongly suggested that they come and discuss it with us first, for impartial advice.”
