Adrafinil is a productivity drug or smart drug that is frequently sought out by individuals who want to experience greater levels of mental energy.
If you ever have felt like you lack the energy you need to take on day-to-day activities or to work on particularly cerebral tasks, then Adrafinil may be a good choice for you.
It has been used as a study pill by students, a concentration aid by businesspeople, and an ADHD & ADD treatment by all ages.
One of the most common reasons that people will buy Adrafinil is as a replacement for the difficult to obtain Modafinil.
Adrafinil actually turns into Modafinil when it is ingested into your body.
So where can you purchase Adrafinil online and do you need a prescription to get it?



- Converted into Modafinil by the liver
- Increases energy, wakefulness & motivation
- Boosts mental performance & focus
History of Adrafinil
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Adrafinil was first developed by the experimental medicine professor and neurophysiologist Michel Jouvet in 1976 for the French pharmaceutical company Lafon Laboratories. He and another scientist developed a series of benzhydryl sulfinyl compounds, including Adrafinil.
They were trying to develop new analgesics, but instead discovered that Adrafinil falls into a class of compounds known as eugeroics, or wakefulness promoting compounds.
During tests to determine what Adrafinil’s mechanism of action is, Modafinil was discovered. After it is ingested, Adrafinil is transported to the liver, where it is broken down into its component parts, modafinilic acid, which is inactive, and Modafinil. Modafinil is the primary active constituent of Adrafinil, which causes the effects of Adrafinil in the body.
In animal model studies, Adrafinil and Modafinil were both seen to have stimulant-like effects, causing increased locomotion and alertness. Because of these effects, both compounds were first tested for use in humans as treatment for the sleep disorder narcolepsy, which causes excessive daytime sleepiness and sleeping bouts during the day.
Adrafinil was approved in France as a treatment for narcolepsy in 1986. Modafinil was later approved in France in 1994, and in the USA in 1998.
In 2001, Lafon was bought by Cephalon Inc. Adrafinil was sold by Lafon and then Cephalon under the brand name Olmifon or CRL-40028. Production was ceased in 2011, the same year that Cephalon was acquired by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries. Cephalon, as a subsidiary of Teva, still produces Provigil Modafinil, but no longer produces Adrafinil.
Adrafinil is produced and sold as a generic product from a number of other manufacturers today.
Adrafinil Uses
Adrafinil is a eugeroic with stimulant-like effects that has the chemical structure (RS)-2-benzhydrylsulfinylethanehydroxamic acid.
In many countries, it is used to increase alertness and wakefulness in people who do not get enough sleep and in narcoleptics.
You will typically see it used in European countries for shift employees who work through the night and are experiencing shift-work sleep disorder, or for people with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome who even with treatment for their condition persistently experience excessive daytime sleepiness/drowsiness.
The mechanism of action of Adrafinil is similar to the prescription drugs Provigil, Alertec, and Modalert because all of these drugs contain the compound Modafinil.
As described earlier, when Adrafinil reaches the liver, it is metabolized into Modafinil where it then travels to the brain to promote mental clarity and higher energy levels. As a nootropic, Adrafinil is often used for late-night study sessions or as a concentration and focus enhancer.
In the technical sense, this compound is not a pure cognitive enhancer because of the fact that it does not directly increase learning, memory, or reasoning skills. It is not particularly influential in the development of synaptic plasticity nor does it modulate communication along neural pathways.
However, what it does do is provide greater mental energy and alertness which can subsequently lead to improved cognition. This is why it is technically a “Smart Drug” as opposed to a pure nootropic, but the distinction is frequently blurred.

- Increases energy, wakefulness and motivation
- Boosts mental performance and focus
- Supports memory and cognition
Adrafinil vs Modafinil
Adrafinil and Modafinil are intrinsically linked because of their close chemical relationship. However, there are a number of difference between the legality and subsequent uses of these compounds.
Because it is the more potent and more directly acting compound, Modafinil is the drug that is commonly used in medicine today. It is considered a scheduled prescription-only medication in many countries around the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Finland.
Modafinil is prescribed for serious sleep disorders, namely for treating narcolepsy and shift-work sleep disorder, and as an adjunct treatment for obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome. In some rare cases, Modafinil may be prescribed for off-label purposes such as treating fatigue or for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but these prescriptions are rare.
If you are able to get a prescription, then using Modafinil is typically regarded as safer than to buy Adrafinil online. Modafinil offers the same benefits but without the danger of liver problems. There are other side effects of these drugs which ought to be considered as well and you should make an effort to read up on how to prevent these before purchasing either of these nootropics online.
Even though Modafinil is considered a prescription drug in the USA, there are some countries which allow it to be purchased online without a prescription, such as India and Mexico. The issue with buying from these places is that after it is shipped and arrives, the drug will be under the jurisdiction of the laws of the country it is imported to.
Some countries do allow for the personal importation of prescription medications, with a valid prescription. Other countries do not allow for importation, even with a prescription. In any case without a prescription, the product is likely to be seized, and you could be placed on a drug enforcement agency watchlist.
Another issue with buying Modafinil without a prescription is that the purity and authenticity of these products is suspect. Good manufacturing practices are often not in place at the factories, and third party certificates of analysis are rarely available, especially for every batch. You can risk both your money and your health by buying Modafinil from international online pharmacies without a prescription.
Because getting a prescription for Modafinil for any purpose other than a series sleep disorder is difficult, and they do not want to risk buying without a prescription, many people will instead turn to other options, such as Adrafinil.
Do you Need a Prescription to Buy Adrafinil?
The legal status of Adrafinil varies greatly from country to country. However, in most countries, it is an unscheduled, unregulated drug which means that there is no official policy or law dictating how it should be sold.
This is the case in the United States where it is considered an “unscheduled” drug. What that means is that you do not need a prescription to buy it, but that also does not mean that it has been expressly approved by the FDA for human use.
Instead, it falls into somewhat of a regulatory gray area which is why people will buy it instead of Modafinil which does require a prescription. The same goes for Canada and for the United Kingdom.
However, this is not the case in other countries. For example, in Australia, like Modafinil, Adrafinil is considered to be a prescription drug only.
Should You Buy Adrafinil Online?
Once you have determined that you do not need a prescription to order Adrafinil online, the next step is to ask yourself whether this is the right nootropic to buy. Even though Adrafinil does convert into Modafinil in the liver, this process can put added strain on your liver over time.
With excessive use and larger than normal dosages, some studies have reported the potential for liver damage. This is especially risky for any individuals with liver issues or anyone taking other medications at the same time that also put strain on the liver.
That is why you should speak to a doctor ideally before you start using Adrafinil.
With infrequent use of Adrafinil, this is not considered to be too serious of a risk. So if you are just looking to order Adrafinil online to help you study for the occasional exam or to use every couple of weeks, then you are probably in the clear.
Adrafinil is much cheaper than Modafinil for the same dosage and it tends to be easier to find for sale online. However, if you are looking for a component to use in a daily nootropic stack, then Adrafinil’s hepatoxicity is something to take seriously, and other nootropic compounds should be considered.

- Focus longer, clear brain fog & feel more motivated
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Adrafinil Side Effects
While Adrafinil is generally well tolerated in most adults who take it at proper recommended dosages, some common minor side effects have been reported in research studies and online user reviews. Some of the most common side effects include:
- headaches
- nausea
- stomach pain
- skin irritation/rash
- dizziness
- restlessness
- weight/appetite loss
- insomnia
Some people experience mild side effects when they first start taking any new medications. These side effects are normal as your body adjusts to the compound, and typically last for 2-3 weeks.
If your side effects persist beyond that point, then consider taking a lower dosage. Some people are more sensitive to certain compounds and need to take a lower than normal dosage to not have side effects.
Insomnia is a commonly reported side effect of Adrafinil and Modafinil that in most cases is not actually a negative reaction to the medication, but rather a dosage timing issue. Due to the long half life of these compounds, the effects are felt many hours after they are ingested. It is recommended to take your Adrafinil dosage in the morning to help avoid sleep disturbances at night.
There have been reports of a small number of people developing certain cutaneous reactions when taking Adrafinil, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome. This condition causes flu-like symptoms and a red/purple spreading rash that eventually blisters.
There is strong evidence available that suggests some people have a genetic predisposition to developing these conditions when they take certain medications like Adrafinil, because of certain human leukocyte antigens they have.
If you think you may be having a skin and mucous membrane reaction then stop taking Adrafinil and contact your doctor immediately.
Another serious concern that some people have about taking Adrafinil is the potential for liver complications. Certain enzymes are required in the liver to breakdown Adrafinil. While these are a normal bodily output, the concern lies with the possible accumulation of these liver toxic enzymes.
It is believed that if Adrafinil is taken on a regular prolonged basis, or at consistently high dosages for a period of time, then these enzymes could accumulate and cause liver damage. Because of this concern, it is often recommended that Adrafinil only be taken occasionally, on an as-needed basis.
If you do choose to take Adrafinil on a more regular basis then it is recommended that you have your liver enzyme levels monitored regularly by your doctor to try and catch an issues before they become serious.
Alternative Nootropic Options
While Adrafinil is used as a non-prescription alternative to Modafinil by many people, it is not the right nootropic choice for everyone. Some people are unable to buy it without a prescription (i.e. Australians), others have liver issues and cannot use it, while others are simply concerned with the potential for liver issues and choose to avoid it.
One nootropic option that these people use are any one of the Racetam family of compounds. This group of compounds are all based on Piracetam, which is the original nootropic first developed in the 1960s.
Piracetam has been observed to have positive effects on Acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is involved in regulating general cognition, executive function, memory, and learning ability.
The most common derivatives of Piracetam include Oxiracetam, Aniracetam, Phenylpiracetam, and Pramiracetam. These compounds are all more potent than their predecessor, Piracetam, and typically have stronger nootropic effects.
These compounds are available in a variety of formats, from Oxiracetam capsules and Aniracetam capsules, to Phenylpiracetam powder and Pramiracetam powder. Powder formulations are nearly always cheaper than premade capsules, and can help you save money. More potent Racetams are typically more expensive than less potent ones, but smaller dosages need to be taken which can equalize costs somewhat.
If buying Adrafinil online is not the right option for you, then consider using one of the Racetams for their nootropic effects. Additionally, there are many other nootropic options that people have used including bacopa monnieri extract, sulbutiamine capsules, Noopept powder, and Alpha GPC powder.
Do your research to determine what is best for your needs. You can learn more about a large variety of nootropics for many different purposes here.
- Rao RN, Shinde DD, Talluri MV, Agawane SB. LC-ESI-MS determination and pharmacokinetics of adrafinil in rats. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2008
- Siwak CT, Gruet P, Woehrlé F, Schneider M, Muggenburg BA, Murphey HL, Callahan H, Milgram NW. Behavioral activating effects of adrafinil in aged canines. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2000
- Vaille C, Chariot J, de La Tour J, Souchard M. [Effect of clonidine and adrafinil on biliary secretion in the rat]. Ann Pharm Fr. 1983
- Siwak CT, Callahan H, Milgram NW. Adrafinil: effects on behavior and cognition in aged canines. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2000
- Lu J, Wang X, Yang S, Liu X, Qin Y, Shen L, Wu Y, Xu Y, Wu M, Ouyang G. Doping control analysis for adrafinil and its major metabolites in human urine. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom. 2009
Article last updated on: April 13th, 2018 by Nootriment
2 Comments
Hello,
I just attempted to purchase adrafinil from your site, entered my credit card information, placed the order, and did not recieve a confirmation or receipt for the purchase. I would like to ensure that my credit card information is safe and is not accidentally available for anyone to access. Any response in return would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Michele
Hi Michele,
Did you place your order with Peak Nootropics? We don’t sell Nootropics ourselves, but we do link to PeakNootropics who sells Adrafinil. Try e-mailing them at peaknootropics.com/contact-us/ or call them at 970-449-9834 and I’m sure they can help you!
Kind regards and enjoy the Adrafinil when you get a chance to try it!