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Modafinil and Armodafinil are closely related smart drugs used to increase energy levels and improve focus and alertness.
Modafinil (Provigil) was developed in France by Lafon (now known as Cephalon) and was originally prescribed in 1994 to treat narcolepsy.
Armodafinil (Nuvigil) is the follow-up to Modafinil from Cephalon and has only been in use since 2007. Armodafinil is actually an enantiomer of Modafinil which is to say it has a slightly modified chemical structure making it more potent.
There are different effects associated with each of these drugs and different effective dosages that you will find them sold in. So which is better to use as a nootropic – Armodafinil vs Modafinil?
From a clinical standpoint they both are used to treat the same clinical conditions and are each very effective. It is true that Armodafinil requires a smaller dosage, but Modafinil effects may still be preferred by some individuals.
Asking whether Armodafinil is better than Modafinil discounts the fact that different drugs can have different reactions for different people. In other words, potency is not the only factor; what matters more is the experience you receive when using either of these smart drugs.
To give each one a fair trial, it is helpful to examine the individual benefits of Modafinil vs Armodafinil, their differences, mechanisms of action and potential side effects.
Alertness
Mental Acuity
Focus- Stimulates wakefulness in the brain
- Promotes mental acuity & processing
- Enhances focus, motivation & energy
The History of Modafinil and Armodafinil
Related Topics
- What is Modafinil? (Provigil)
- How Does Provigil Work?
- Effects and Benefits
- User Reviews
- Typical Experiences
- Recommended Dosages
- How to Take
- Provigil Uses
- Use for ADHD
- Effects on Weight Loss
- Negative Side Effects
- Abuse Warnings & Dangers
- Comparison to Adrafinil
- Comparison to Armodafinil
- Comparison to Adderall
- Where to Buy
- Generic Modafinil Brands
- Is Modafinil Legal?
- How to Get Modafinil
- Review of Online Sources
Armodafinil is the latest iteration in a series of related compounds that stretches back to the 1970s with the invention of Adrafinil. In 1974 Michel Jouvet and another scientist were researching new analgesics at Lafon Laboratories in France.
They developed a series of benzhydryl sulfinyl compounds, one of which was Adrafinil. Adrafinil was not found to have any pain-relieving effects, but instead fell into a category of compounds known as eugeroics, or wakefulness promoting compounds.
Adrafinil was seen to have stimulant-like effects, but was not chemically related to conventional amphetamine based stimulants, nor it was found out later did it share the same mechanism of action.
During tests to determine what Adrafinil’s mechanism of action is, Modafinil was discovered. Adrafinil is metabolized in the liver into its component parts, namely the inactive modafinilic acid, and the active Modafinil. Adrafinil is therefore a prodrug, meaning it is a largely inactive compound that is broken down into and acts though the action of an active metabolite – in this case Modafinil.
In tests on animal models, Adrafinil and later Modafinil were seen to have stimulating effects, causing increased alertness, wakefulness, and locomotor activity. Because of these effects, they were first used in human trials as experimental treatments for the sleep disorder narcolepsy.
In a variety of double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trials Adrafinil and Modafinil were both seen to significantly reduce excessive daytime sleepiness and increase wakefulness in patients with narcolepsy compared to a placebo.
Adrafinil was approved in France in 1986 as a treatment for narcolepsy. Later Modafinil was approved in France for the same purpose in 1994, and then in the US in 1998. Since that time, Modafinil has also been approved as a treatment for other serious sleep disorders, including shift-work sleep disorder and as an adjunct treatment for obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.
In 2001, the American pharmaceutical company Cephalon Inc bought Lafon Laboratories. They continued to make the name brand version of Adrafinil and Modafinil that Lafon made, Olmifon and Provigil respectively.
A few years before the exclusivity patents were due to expire on Provigil, scientists at Cephalon began working on a new and improved version of Modafinil to help them keep their market share. The new compound that they developed was Armodafinil, brand name Nuvigil.
In 2011, Cephalon was acquired by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries. Cephalon, working as a subsidiary of Teva, still continues to make Provigil and Nuvigil to this day. Olmifon has been discontinued, but generic Adrafinil is available from other manufacturers now.
Armodafinil vs Modafinil
The main difference between these two supplements is in their chemical structure. Armodafinil is technically considered to be an enantiopure version of Modafinil.
Modafinil is comprised of two mirror-image stereoisomers of the same molecular structure, known as enantiomers. These enantiomers are identical, but flipped copies of each other – similar to a right and a left hand. The two enantiomers of Modafinil are R-Modafinil and S-Modafinil.
As a Racemic compound, Modafinil has both R- and S-enantiomers in equal proportions in its structure. However, it has been determined that the R-enantiomer is the more pharmacologically active, stable, and longer-acting isomer.
Therefore the new compound that scientists at Cephalon created consists of solely the active R-enatiomer of Modafinil. This is where the name for this new compound comes from – Armodafinil from R-Modafinil.
By keeping only the right enantiomer, Armodafinil is essentially a purified and more targeted version of Modafinil. As a result, it binds differently to receptor sites within the brain and body versus its predecessor. While the standard Modafinil dosage is 200 mg, you only need 150 mg of Armodafinil to get the same effects.
There are more subjective differences between how these drugs will affect you, but many of these differences are dependent on who is actually taking Modafinil vs Armodafinil. Some reviews suggest that Modafinil has a better mood enhancement effect, creating positive sentiments and improving confidence and drive.
These same reviews say that Amordafinil may lead to more anxiety, nervousness or stress than its predecessor. Some people find that Armodafinil makes them feel a little edgy and possibly a bit aggressive. On the other hand, this is also reported for Modafinil in some users.
This should not be taken as a definitive catalog of experiences, but rather as indication of one of the possible areas where differences might be noticed. For most people, the best way to determine which to use is by having their doctors prescribe both so you can compare and contrast for yourself.
- Increases energy, wakefulness and motivation
- Boosts mental performance and focus
- Supports memory and cognition
Modafinil Effects
For patients who suffer from conditions like narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, or other serious sleep problems, Modafinil was one of the first medications to actually provide real relief.
The pharmaceutical helps to normalize sleep patterns and then acts as a wakefulness agent, allowing you to go about your daily life without constant fatigue.
Modafinil is often used by people to promote an intense feeling of energy and wakefulness. Reviews from users reports say this drug gives them dramatically improved focus and helps them become more productive.
Along with this intense focus comes an increased fluency or fluidity of thought. Even ordinary tasks like reading and writing end up requiring much less actual effort or attention. It is easier to make connections from a mental perspective and memory recall and retention may be higher.
Some additional benefits include improved sensory perceptions and even appetite suppression for weight loss.
Armodafinil Effects
Armodafinil benefits are similar in a lot of respects to those associated with Modafinil. The wakefulness effect is very noticeable, similar to a powerful dose of caffeine. The exception is that unlike caffeine there are no jitters or nervousness and it does not increase (nor decrease) blood pressure or pulse rate.
Armodafinil is also recognized to be quite safe and has almost zero addictive potential (Modafinil does have a slightly higher potential for side effects and tolerance).
Unlike Modafinil, Armodafinil will not actually disturb your existing sleep patterns. This means that even after using the supplement you will not experience a sudden drop off in effects and will be quite able to go to sleep and at the same time as normal. You will also wake up at your regular hour.
While Modafinil users often say that it is impossible to sleep within 5-10 hours of taking a dosage of this drug, some people say Armodafinil does not cause the same result. It is interesting that some regard this as a positive while other may see it as a negative if they are looking for a prescription drug that helps them stay awake for long hours.
Armodafinil for Focus and Jet Lag
This nootropic does also improve your focus, but it does not seem to be quite as intense in this regard as its predecessor. This may make Armodafinil a better candidate for continuous use as opposed to Modafinil which really should be cycled or used only occasionally.
You will certainly be much more productive while taking it and this can also often include the aforementioned boost to memory and mental fluidity. It also has the ability to potentially help those suffering from jet lag.
Even though it has only been available for a few years, there have already been more than 2 million prescriptions for this drug and is being taking by all types of people ranging from entrepreneurs to athletes, to students to shift workers.
Tolerance
Another important issue to consider is tolerance. While many people have indeed taken these prescription drugs for a long period of time without any seeming drop off in effects, others have noted that tolerance can build fairly quickly.
Tolerance also seems to be more typically associated with Modafinil than Armodafinil. This can usually be overcome by cycling or only using Modafinil on occasion. One possibility might even be to cycle between Modafinil and Armodafinil, but you should speak to a medical professional before trying this.
Side Effects of Modafinil and Armodafinil
The side effects associated with Armodafinil vs Modafinil are slightly different depending on the specific drug, but most of the mild side effects reported in user reviews overlap between the two compounds. The most commonly reported side effects of both include:
- headaches
- anxiety or nervousness
- nausea
- indigestion
- dizziness
- insomnia
- appetite and/or weight loss
Some mild side effects can be common when first taking a new drug as your body adjusts to having the compound in your system. If side effects do not subside after 2-3 weeks of adjustment then speak with your doctor about trying a lower dosage.
Insomnia is a commonly reported effects of Armodafinil and Modafinil that in the large majority of cases is not a true negative reaction to the drugs. Rather this effect is most typically due to poor dosage timing.
Due to their long half-lives, these compounds can be active in the body causing stimulating effects for many hours after they are ingested. It is therefore recommended to take your Armodafinil or Modafinil early in the morning to help avoid sleep disturbances.
Though it is quite rare, there is a possibility of developing a severe cutaneous reaction including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), or drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). There is strong evidence that certain people with a genetic predisposition are susceptible to developing these conditions when they take certain drugs such as Armodafinil or Modafinil.
Stop taking these drugs and speak with your doctor right away if you develop a fever, flu-like symptoms, and a rash that spreads and blisters.
Buying Armodafinil and Modafinil
The final matter to consider is whether you are actually able to purchase these drugs for personal use. In many countries, both Modafinil and Armodafinil are categorized as prescription only medications.
For example in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has categorized both Modafinil and Armodafinil as Schedule IV prescription only medications. It is therefore legal to own and use these drugs, but you require a valid doctor’s prescription to do so. Both drugs are similarly categorized in many other countries around the world, including Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
Modafinil and Armodafinil prescriptions are typically only written for serious sleep disorders such as narcolepsy, shift-work sleep disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome. Rarely prescriptions are written for off-label conditions such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but these prescriptions are few and far between.
Prescriptions are nearly never written expressly for nootropic purposes, as many doctors fear repercussions for medical boards for written off-label prescriptions like these that are not treating a medical condition.
Both Modafinil and Armodafinil tend to be very expensive, with costs in the hundreds of dollars a month for Armodafinil and Modafinil. If you have a drug plan then you may be able to get help with the financial aspect. As well, any off-label prescriptions are typically not covered by insurance plans.
Because of these reasons, some people are tempted to turn to buying Armodafinil and Modafinil from international online pharmacies that sell these products without a prescription. However buying from these sources is not recommended for a few important reasons.
The first risk involved with buying Modafinil or Armodafinil without a prescription is that you may not even receive your product, as it could be seized by customs agents when you cannot provide proof of a prescription. You could possibly also face legal ramifications for buying without a prescription and even be placed on a drug enforcement agency watchlist (although confirmed reports of this are rare).
Another major risk inherent with buying from these sources is that you cannot be sure of the authenticity or safety of these products. There typically are no set good manufacturing practices in place at the factories. Additionally, the finished products are typically not inspected by a third party and give a Certificate of Analysis, or if they are, then then this normally is not done for every batch produced.
Because many people cannot get a prescription for either of these drugs, and do not want to risk their health or money buying from an online pharmacy, one alternative that many people use instead is buy non-prescription nootropic alternatives like Adrafinil or one of the Racetams, which is discussed in detail below.
Other Nootropic Options
One of most commonly used alternatives to Armodafinil and Modafinil is their predecessor, Adrafinil. As described at the beginning of this article, Adrafinil is the prodrug of Modafinil. When ingested, it is broken down into Modafinil in the liver.
While the initial conversion process means that it takes longer for effects to be felt, after that time has elapsed, most users report that the effects of Adrafinil are very similar to those of taking Modafinil directly.
In many countries of the world Adrafinil is an unscheduled, unregulated compound that is legal to buy and use without a prescription, including the US, the UK, and Canada. You can buy Adrafinil online from a variety of nootropic vendors. It is available in capsule and bulk powder formats to suit your needs.
Another commonly used nootropic option is one of the Racetams. This is a family of compounds that are all related to the original nootropic, Piracetam, that was developed in the 1960s.
Piracetam has been seen in research to have effects on the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine in the brain and central nervous system. Acetylcholine is associated with executive function, learning ability, and memory formation, retention, and recall.
There are many derivatives of Piracetam, including Oxiracetam, Aniracetam, Pramiracetam, and Phenylpiracetam, all of which are more potent than their parent compound Piracetam. For example, Pramiracetam is considered to be between 40 to 50 times as powerful as Piracetam on a mg to mg basis, and it is said to have strong mental energy effects that can last for up to 8 hours.
The Racetams are available in a variety of formats including capsules and bulk powder. It is important to do your research to determine which formulation and strength of compound is right for your needs.
Like Adrafinil, Racetams are unregulated compounds in most countries. FDA laws surrounding the sale, distribution, and labeling of compounds like these makes the sale of them domestically difficult, but they are readily available from a number of specialized online nootropic vendors.
If you are unable to get a prescription for Armodafinil or Modafinil, then instead of risking your money and health buying without a prescription from an online pharmacy, consider using one of these non-prescription alternatives for you nootropic needs.
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Article last updated on: April 12th, 2018 by Nootriment
6 Comments
Adrafinil does not currently have FDA approval and is thus unregulated in the United States. It was marketed in France and elsewhere in Europe under the trade name Olmifon until September 2011 when France’s FDA-equivalent reassessed the drug and withdrew marketing permission, citing known adverse reactions and an unsatisfactory risk to benefit ratio.
I know this is very random but did you every work under Dr A Williams at St Thomas’??
Took 200mg of Modafinil for 3 days in the morning and felt really focussed and generally optimistic about working. I then decided by recommendation of a pharmacist to try armodafinil 150g and experienced very undesirable affects, a friend even asked if I was depressed.
* 2nd day on Modafinil felt very socially awkward as well
Tsholo, as many articles say, you should be taking half of Armodafinil compared to what you were taking of Modafininl. This might be the reason you got such bad side effects. So 100mg should do it.
Also I hope you made a typo with the Armodafinil 150 grams as you’d be in hospital most likely. Think you meant milligrams.
The thing with both of these substances, their half life is so long, there is residue still in your system 24 hours later when you take another dose you get a bit more. Then tolerance build up happens etc.
I’ve been taking Modafininl 2x200mg 5 days a week for about 7 or 8 years. And have been fine. On a rare occasion when I do feel extremely tired due to an incredible lack of sleep I have taken 2x200mg three times in an 8 hour shift. So just to be clear that is a total of 1200mg which is 6x200mg tablets within a 8 hour time frame. Which is 3 separate doses of 400mg.For me personally, it is only on those occasions , (as I’ve said are very rare) do I feel incredibly focused on work or whatever it is I’m doing. On those occasions everything I do is thought out meticulously, and in advance making every movement i make deliberate and fluid. No thought is wasted and no wasted thoughts appear. The same applies to body movement. Such is the level of focus I experience which lasts for up to 12 hours. Call it abuse if you like. On such rare occasions I do find the need to do this.The side effect is that if anyone is near me I do become very very chatty.
They are very similar, and I have seen a lot of people who did better on one than the other, but it seems to depend on the person. I prefer ************