Q:  Provigil 

I was recently told to start a drug called PROVIGIL.

I have depression and anxiety disorder but, provigill is being perscribed as a way for me to take off some weight that is causing me severe back pain.  My doctor thought it was a good alternative to an amphetamine program.

After reading info onn the internet, I am wondering if it might cause me to "gain" weight.  Do you know anything about this????

Dear Scott -- 
I just know enough to be concerned about this approach for other reasons, but your doctor may have more experience with it than I.  The other reasons have to do with the fact that you have depression and anxiety and are writing to a bipolar website; like, maybe you have figured out you have something like that?  could Provigil make that worse?  Possibly; people are just now beginning to write articles about whether stimulants could worsen bipolar disorder.  

Not exactly what you were asking, I know, but that's what comes to mind with your question. 

Dr. Phelps

Published November, 2001