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Learn about an FDA-approved treatment for ES associated with treated OSA.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by a blockage in your airway that can disrupt your breathing while you sleep. This interruption in breathing can take place just a few times or up to hundreds of times over the course of a night.1You may not be aware this is happening, but it can prevent you from getting a good night's sleep. The good news, as you most likely know, is that treatment to help unblock the obstruction is available.

It is estimated that as many as 18 million Americans suffer from OSA.2 However, many people with OSA aren’t diagnosed and, therefore, don’t treat the underlying obstruction.3

How is OSA Treated?

There are several ways to treat the airway blockage caused by OSA, and you can discuss the available treatment options with your doctor. The most common is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), which uses air pressure to help keep your airway open so you can breathe better while you sleep. Other treatments may include oral devices that help keep your airway open while you sleep, or surgery to correct the blockage. Your doctor may also suggest changing behaviors such as avoiding alcohol or certain medications, changing your sleeping position, or losing weight.4 Talk to your doctor to find out which treatment option may be right for you.

Even though these OSA treatments help you breathe better and may reduce your symptoms, many people may experience excessive sleepiness despite using a prescribed treatment for the underlying obstruction.5

What is Residual Excessive Sleepiness and Why am I Still Sleepy?

Before receiving treatment for your OSA, many of you most likely experienced excessive sleepiness during the day since it is a primary symptom of OSA.1 Excessive sleepiness is defined as the inability to stay awake enough to accomplish daily tasks.6 You may describe it as feeling tired or having no energy.

For many people, excessive sleepiness does not totally go away with treatment for OSA. In one clinical study, as many as half of patients with OSA using CPAP still experienced excessive sleepiness.5

The Still Sleepy Tracker allows you to measure your level of sleepiness throughout the day and it also allows you to see the average level of sleepiness among other patients with treated OSA. Your individual results can be printed out in a report that you can use to start a conversation with your doctor about an FDA-approved treatment to help you manage the excessive sleepiness you experience even after treating the underlying obstruction correctly. Click here to learn more.

What are the Consequences of Residual Excessive Sleepiness?

Excessive sleepiness associated with treated OSA can impact your day in significant ways. Some people with OSA report that they are too tired to spend time with family and friends, or to stay awake at work.7,8

Many people may think that it's normal to live this way, but if you still experience excessive sleepiness despite being treated for your OSA, you should tell your doctor how difficult it is for you to stay awake.

How is Residual Excessive Sleepiness Diagnosed?

Only a doctor can diagnose excessive sleepiness associated with treated OSA. The Still Sleepy Tracker is a tool that can help you regularly assess your sleepiness and chart your progress over time. The tracker allows you to print out your results to begin a conversation with your doctor. Your doctor can help you determine if you have residual excessive sleepiness and discuss possible treatment options.

How is Residual Excessive Sleepiness Treated?

Despite receiving treatment for OSA, a number of people may still experience excessive sleepiness. For those people, an FDA-approved medication, PROVIGIL® (modafinil) Tablets [C-IV], can be used to improve wakefulness in adults who experience residual excessive sleepiness associated with OSA.9 Click here to learn more.


  1. American Academy of Sleep Medicine. The International Classification of Sleep Disorders: Diagnostic and Coding Manual. 2nd ed. Westchester, IL. American Academy of Sleep Medicine; 2005 Available at: http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=3085461.
  2. National Sleep Foundation. Sleep Apnea Facts. Available at: http://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleeptionary/index.php?id=10.
  3. American Lung Association. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) or Sleep-Disordered Breathing (SDB): In-Depth.
  4. Sanders MH, Givelber RJ. Overview of obstructive sleep apnea in adults. In: Lee-Chiong T, ed. Sleep: A Comprehensive Handbook. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2006:231-240.
  5. Weaver TE, Maislin G, Dinges DF, et al. Relationship between hours of CPAP use and achieving normal levels of sleepiness and daily functioning. Sleep. 2007;30(6):711-719.
  6. Lee-Chiong TL. Manifestations and classification of sleep disorders. In: Lee-Chiong TL, Sateia MJ, Carskadon MA. Sleep Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Hanley & Belfus, Inc.; 2005:125-141.
  7. Reishtein Jl, Pack AI, Maislin G, et al. Sleepiness and relationships in obstructive sleep apnea. Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2006;27(3):319-330.
  8. Mulgrew AT, Ryan CF, Fleetham JA, et al. The impact of obstructive sleep apnea and daytime sleepiness on work limitation [published online ahead of print September 5, 2007]. Sleep Med. 2008;9(1):42-53. doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2007.01.009.
  9. Veasey SC, et al. Medical Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Review by the Medical Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Task Force of the Standards of Practice Committee of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. SLEEP 2006 29(8); 1036-1044.

This site was developed and is maintained by Cephalon, manufacturer of PROVIGIL. The information provided on this site is designed to educate patients who struggle with obstructive sleep apnea about the possibility of residual excessive sleepiness even after treatment for the underlying obstruction. All patient care decisions should be discussed with a health care provider.

Important Safety Information

What is PROVIGIL® (modafinil) Tablets [C-IV]?

PROVIGIL is a prescription medicine used to improve wakefulness in adults who experience excessive sleepiness (ES) due to one of the following diagnosed sleep disorders: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), shift work sleep disorder (SWSD), or narcolepsy.

In patients with OSA, PROVIGIL is used along with other medical treatments for this sleep disorder. PROVIGIL is not a replacement for your current treatment. Consult your doctor about the importance of continuing your current OSA treatment while taking PROVIGIL.

PROVIGIL may cause you to have a serious rash or a serious allergic reaction that may result in hospitalization or be life-threatening. If you develop a rash, hives, sores, swelling, or trouble swallowing or breathing, stop taking PROVIGIL and call your doctor right away or get emergency treatment.

PROVIGIL is not approved for use in children.

If you experience chest pain, depression, anxiety, hallucinations, psychosis, mania, thoughts of suicide, aggression, or other mental problems, stop taking PROVIGIL and call your doctor right away or get emergency treatment.

PROVIGIL does not replace sleep and may not stop your ES completely. Do not drive or do other dangerous activities until you know how PROVIGIL affects you. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking PROVIGIL.

PROVIGIL has the potential to be abused or lead to dependence. Please use only as directed.

Tell your doctor if you have: history of mental health problems (including psychosis), heart problems or had a heart attack, high blood pressure, liver or kidney problems, a history of drug or alcohol abuse or addiction, or are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Women who use hormonal birth control may have a higher chance of getting pregnant, while taking PROVIGIL, and for one month after stopping. Talk to your doctor about other birth control methods while taking PROVIGIL.

Common side effects of PROVIGIL are headache, nausea, nervousness, stuffy nose, diarrhea, back pain, anxiety, trouble sleeping, dizziness, and upset stomach.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

For more information, ask your doctor, call 1-800-585-7768, or visit www.PROVIGIL.com..

This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your condition or treatment.

Please see the Patient Information in the Full Prescribing Information for PROVIGIL.