Modafinil is a medication that is used to treat narcolepsy, a sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness and an inability to stay awake during the day. It is also used off-label to treat other conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Modafinil works by increasing the release of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine, which is thought to contribute to its wakefulness-promoting effects.
The off-label use of modafinil refers to the use of the medication to treat conditions other than those for which it has been approved by regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Some common off-label uses of modafinil include the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
It is also used to improve cognitive performance, such as memory and concentration, which has been used by some people to boost productivity and academic performance. However it is important to note that not all these off-label uses are evidence-based, and it should only be used under medical supervision and with a prescription.
Modafinil has been shown to improve certain cognitive abilities, such as attention, working memory, and planning abilities, in healthy individuals and those with cognitive impairments. However, the extent of cognitive enhancement varies depending on the individual and the specific cognitive task being performed.
Some research studies have shown positive results on cognitive enhancement such as attention and memory, but it is important to note that the current evidence is not consistent across all studies, and more research is needed to fully understand the drug's effects on cognitive performance. Additionally, the cognitive benefits of modafinil may be influenced by individual factors such as baseline cognitive function and genetics.
It is important to note that taking modafinil for the sole purpose of cognitive enhancement is not an approved use of the medication, and it should only be used under medical supervision and with a prescription.
Modafinil is sold under several brand names worldwide, some of the most common brand names include:
Alertec (Canada)
Modavigil (Australia)
Modafinil (United Kingdom, United States, and many other countries)
Modafinilo (Spain and Latin America)
Modiodal (Mexico)
Resotyl (Argentina)
Vigia (Colombia)
It is important to note that different countries may have different regulatory agencies that approve drugs and also different brand names can be used depending on the country. The brand name of the medication may also be different depending on the manufacturer, but the active ingredient in all of them should be Modafinil.
In the United Kingdom, modafinil is sold under several brand names including:
Alertec
Modafinil Actavis
Modafinil Mylan
Modafinil Sandoz
Modafinil Teva
Modafinilratiopharm
Modiodal
Provigil
Modafinil is a prescription-only medication, which means that it can only be obtained with a prescription from a qualified healthcare professional. Patients who are diagnosed with narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, or obstructive sleep apnea and prescribed modafinil should be able to find one of the above-mentioned brand from their pharmacist.
Please note that brand name and availability may change and vary over time, it is always recommended to check with the pharmacist or your GP for the current brand options.
Modafinil is a central nervous system stimulant medication used to treat sleepiness due to narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea. It has been used off-label as a cognitive enhancer, but the research on its effectiveness for this use is inconclusive. Potential side effects include headaches, anxiety, excessive adrenal gland overproduction, nausea, delusions, unfounded beliefs, paranoia, irrational thought, and transient depression. Those with kidney problems should adjust the dosage of the medication.
Modafinil is a medication originally developed in the 1970s for medical use in the United States, classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance. It is available as a generic medication and it is prescribed in France since 1994. In 2020, it was the 302nd most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with over 1,000,000 prescriptions. It works by acting on dopamine and modulating the areas of the brain involved with the sleep cycle. However, it is not recommended for those with an arrhythmia, significant hypertension, or left ventricular hypertrophy.
Modafinil is a medication used to treat narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, and excessive daytime sleepiness associated with obstructive sleep apnea. The European Medicines Agency recommends only new patient prescriptions for sleepiness associated with narcolepsy.
Modafinil is a drug used to help with fatigue, especially in military personnel, astronauts, and people with multiple sclerosis. It has been approved for use in certain air force missions for fatigue management and is used by various special forces. It is also used by astronauts on long-term missions.
Modafinil is a drug used as a "smart drug" by students and professionals to increase mental focus and help evade sleep. It can also be used to treat cocaine addiction as it binds to the dopamine transporter and reduces the euphoria experienced from cocaine. It is available in the form of oral tablets and does not have a tolerance effect even with prolonged use.
Modafinil is contraindicated for people with known hypersensitivity and is not approved for use in children due to potential serious dermatological toxicity. Possible side effects include headache, nausea, decreased appetite, anxiety, insomnia, dizziness, diarrhea, and rhinitis. Rare serious side effects have been reported, such as severe skin rashes, angioedema, and multi-organ hypersensitivity reactions. Long term safety and effectiveness of modafinil have not been determined, but a recent study showed use of modafinil and armodafinil was safe and effective for pediatric patients with narcolepsy.
Modafinil acts as an atypical, selective, and weak dopamine reuptake inhibitor. It has been found to elevate dopamine levels in the hypothalamus, and it has been screened at a large panel of receptors and transporters, where it was found to significantly affect only the dopamine transporter. It binds to the same site on the dopamine transporter as cocaine, but in a different manner. Modafinil has been described as an "atypical" dopamine reuptake inhibitor, showing relatively low potential for abuse.
Modafinil is believed to produce its wakefulness-promoting effects primarily by acting as a dopamine reuptake inhibitor (DRI), although there is evidence of dopamine transporter-independent actions. It has been shown to activate the orexin system, and may also have anticonvulsant properties in animals.
Modafinil affects dopamine D2 receptor activity, dampens the activity of the amygdala, and can induce the cytochrome P450 enzymes. It may also inhibit and induce certain P-glycoprotein enzymes, which can affect the transportation of other drugs.
Modafinil is absorbed in the body 2-3 hours after administration, and is metabolized in the liver. It has a half-life of 10-12 hours, and is mainly excreted in the urine unchanged, with some being bound to plasma proteins. Metabolites of modafinil, modafinil acid and modafinil sulfone, are inactive and do not contribute to the wakefulness-promoting effects.
Modafinil is a racemic mixture of two enantiomers, armodafinil and esmodafinil, and can be detected in plasma, serum, or urine with instrumental techniques such as gas or liquid chromatography. It is unlikely to cause false positives for other drugs on common drug screens. Reagent testing can also be used to screen for the presence of modafinil.