0
3.91
5
Modavigil is a wakefulness boosting stimulant medication whose active ingredient is a drug called Modafinil. Currently, Modafinil is sold under multiple brand names around the world including Provigil (US, UK, Ireland, Belgium, Italy, Israel) and Alertec (Canada and Ecuador).
Modavigil is the brand name under which Modafinil is sold in Australia and New Zealand. Because the non-generic formulations of Modavigil are exceptionally expensive, users have been looking to generic alternatives sold by international pharmacies as a cost-savings mechanism.
There is also an extensive amount of demand for Modavigil among users without prescriptions due to the reported positive benefits of this drug.
Alertness
Mental Acuity
Focus- Stimulates wakefulness in the brain
- Promotes mental acuity & processing
- Enhances focus, motivation & energy
History and Original Uses of Modafinil
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
Modafinil was first discovered in 1976 by a scientist working for the French pharmaceutical company Lafon Laboratories (later bought by Cephalon Inc). Modafinil was discovered due to testing on the similar compound, Adrafinil. Adrafinil is a one of a series of benzhydryl sulfinyl compounds that was first developed in 1974.
Testing to determine the mechanism of action of Adrafinil found that its primary active component is Modafinil. When consumed, Adrafinil is metabolized in the liver into the active Modafinil and the inactive modafinilic acid. This makes Adrafinil a pro-drug of Modafinil.
Trials on both Adrafinil and subsequently Modafinil found that the compounds cause hyperactivity and alertness in animal models. Consequently, the first human trials on Adrafinil were for the sleep disorder narcolepsy. Following in its predecessor’s path, Modafinil was first tested for narcolepsy as well.
Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that affects the sleep and wake states. People with the disorder often find it hard to maintain wakefulness, experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness, and sometimes falling asleep randomly throughout the day. Because of its wakefulness promoting effects, Modafinil has been tested extensively for improving this sleep disorder.
It has been found in multiple double-blind placebo-controlled research studies that compared to a placebo, Modafinil significantly reduces excessive sleepiness in people with narcolepsy. When taken early in the day (before noon), it also has been seen to not negatively affect nighttime sleep.
Modafinil was approved by the FDA to treat narcolepsy in 1998. Since then it has been approved to treat other sleep disorders that involve excessive sleepiness, specifically shift-work sleep disorder and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).
Shift-work sleep disorder (sometimes just called shift work disorder) is a sleep disorder that affects normal circadian rhythm (sleep/wake cycles). This disorder can occur in people who work very late or overnight work shifts and sleep during the day, and causes excessive sleepiness when awake, and sometimes insomnia when trying to sleep.
While the cause of the excessive sleepiness is different than with narcolepsy, Modafinil has been seen to significantly improve wakefulness and decrease excessive sleepiness in people with shift work disorder. In studies, scores on Psychomotor Vigilance tests are significantly better with Modafinil than placebo, and attention span lapses are shorter in duration and less frequent.
Obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome is a medical condition that involves the breathing being shallow or labored (hypopnea), or completely stopping (apnea) during sleep. This occurs because the tongue and/or soft palate of the mouth block the airway during sleep.
One of most common side effects of obstructive sleep apnea is excessive daytime sleepiness, caused by poor nighttime sleep quality. Modafinil has been successfully used as an adjunct treatment to improve this side effect, along with traditional treatments for the condition itself, typically a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine used at night.
In the United States Modafinil is classified by the FDA as a Schedule IV prescription-only medication. It is similarly classified as a prescription drug in many other countries around the world, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Finland. Its on-label uses are for the above mentioned sleep disorders.
Common Off-Label Uses of Modafinil
While only technically approved for various sleep disorders, there are many off-label uses that people take Modafinil or Modavigil for. Some of these are related to the original uses of Modafinil, and are typically to relieve fatigue associated with various diseases including depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease.
One of the most common off-label uses is for attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). When tested against a placebo, Modafinil has been seen to significantly improve scores on various ADHD tests. It has also been tested against some conventional ADHD medication, including dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine).
In one study researchers found that both Modafinil and dextroamphetamine improved scores on the DSM IV ADHD Behavior Checklist compared to placebo, and the researchers concluded that Modafinil should be considered a viable alternative medication to conventional ADHD drugs.
Due to the success that has been shown in numerous trials, there are some doctors who will prescribe Modafinil to patients for off-label uses, especially in cases where traditional treatments have failed or caused significant side effects. It is estimated that as much as 90% of prescriptions are in fact for off-label uses. Off-label prescriptions are entirely legal, but are up to the discretion of individual doctors if they wish to write a prescription for an off-label use.
Is Modavigil a Smart Drug?
In addition to its use for off-label medical conditions, one of the most common uses for Modafinil today is as a nootropic cognitive enhancer or smart drug. Modavigil isn’t a smart drug in the classic sense in that it doesn’t directly affect cognitive abilities like long-term memory or learning capacity. But it is able to increase mental performance as a secondary effect.
The benefits experienced by many users allow them to remain fresh, alert and motivated even when they have been working or studying for many hours at a time.
The increased ability to concentrate is often cited as the most noticeable effect. This crisp focus on tasks may be why nootropic users favor this medication in their stack.
Modavigil belongs to a class of drugs known as eugeroics, which literally translates from the classical Greek language as good arousal. This is because eugeroics deliver an alert and wakeful state which feels natural while neatly side-stepping the undesirable jittery sensations which usually accompany psychostimulants.
Eugeroics are a subset of the larger class of analeptics and are viewed as much safer with less risk of side effects and no dangers to the cardiovascular system.
As previously discussed, Modavigil was first developed to treat narcolepsy, eventually also being used for those with obstructive sleep apnea, and for shift-workers experiencing sleep disruption due to working unusual hours.
Over time, in addition to being useful in the treatment of these medical diagnosis, Modavigil’s ability to prevent fatigue and increase the user’s productivity has garnered it a special place on the shelf of smart drug users.
Executives, entrepreneurs and students report using Modavigil as an aid to focus, to complete big projects or papers, and to get them through those occasional times when working or studying around the clock is required.
Modavigil’s exact mechanism of action in the brain isn’t fully understood but there are some good indications that it works, in large part, on the brain processes relating to the production or inhibition of various neurotransmitters, including dopamine, histamine, GABA, and norepinephrine.
- Increases energy, wakefulness and motivation
- Boosts mental performance and focus
- Supports memory and cognition
Benefits
When used as a nootropic drug, it is thought that Modavigil offers the user an increased ability to focus and concentrate on whatever task is at hand.
This is known as executive function in the brain which controls attention-switching and planning processes. Distractions are mentally muffled, allowing the user to begin and complete projects or tasks which require their focused attention.
A review of multiple research studies concluded that across the literature it was found that Modafinil/Modavigil improved executive function, especially in when completing complex tasks or under stressful situations.
Modavigil affects the brain’s sleep response system allowing the user to feel awake and alert, thereby decreasing mental fatigue and common fatigue-related errors.
Because of this unique effect, the US military successfully conducted experiments with fighter pilots whom are sometimes required to remain awake and alert for periods up to a 48 hours at a time.
Modavigil also may help alleviate the mental sluggishness and excessive daytime fatigue due to jet lag. Users say that it is effective at eliminating brain fogginess and helping them overcome the desire to procrastinate.
Dosage and Side Effects
Modavigil is available in 100mg and 200mg tablets. Interestingly, many users say they found that lower doses provided them with the same effects as higher doses, while some people report higher doses not having any positive effects at all.
This is important to know because tolerance can build over time with Modavigil, so taking the lowest dose possible to achieve the desired effects is recommended.
Doctors usually prescribe one or two doses taken over the course of the day for patients with sleep disorders.
The half-life of Modavigil is about 12-hours, so it is not recommended you take a dose late in the day unless you intend to be up for an extended period of time.
There have been some common mild side effects associated with Modavigil use, including headaches, nausea, nervousness, anxiety, dizziness, and trouble sleeping. Some rare, but more serious side effects have been reported, specifically a variety of mucous membrane and skin rashes, such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS).
Mild side effects are sometimes dose related; if you experience any, speak with your doctor about modifying your dosage. If you experience fever, flu-like symptoms, and a spreading skin rash, then discontinue use of Modavigil and speak with your doctor immediately, as these may be signs of more serious adverse reaction.
Where is the Best Place to Buy Modavigil?
Modavigil requires a doctor’s prescription in most countries. You can speak with your doctor or pharmacist to decide if you qualify for a prescription for this drug. If your doctor decides that it may be a good fit for your needs they will write you a prescription, and you can then buy Modafinil from a physical pharmacy or an online pharmacy.
Prescriptions can be filled at your local pharmacy in Australia or New Zealand, or, in some countries like the UK and Canada, you are permitted to import Modavigil in small quantities.
Non-Prescription Alternatives
The same researchers who developed Modafinil (Modavigil) also developed an earlier version of the drug called Adrafinil.
Adrafinil does not require a prescription and is readily available from reputable online nootropic shops at cost-effective prices. Adrafinil is the prodrug to Modafinil, meaning it is converted by the liver into Modafinil.
This process takes a little over an hour and the effects are very similar to, if not identical to, Modafinil. It isn’t recommended you use Adrafinil continuously, though, because extended use can result in problems with the liver.
Adrafinil is available in both capsule and bulk powder forms. The cost of buying capsules will typically run about 2x-4x the cost for an equivalent amount of bulk powder.
A popular supplement to stack with Modavigil or Adrafinil is Citicoline or Alpha-GPC which will enhance the benefits of this drug on your memory and cognitive capacities.
In summary, Modavigil is the brand name for Modafinil in Australia and New Zealand. It is available by prescription-only. A non-prescription alternative to Modavigil is Adrafinil which can be purchased from nootropic shops online cost-effectively.
<
Free shipping
- Yeh SB, Schenck CH. Efficacy of modafinil in 10 Taiwanese patients with narcolepsy: findings using the Multiple Sleep Latency Test and Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Kaohsiung J Med Sci. 2010
- Philip P, Chaufton C, Taillard J, Capelli A, Coste O, Léger D, Moore N, Sagaspe P. Modafinil improves real driving performance in patients with hypersomnia: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled crossover clinical trial. Sleep. 2014
- Spathis A, Fife K, Blackhall F, Dutton S, Bahadori R, Wharton R, O'Brien M, Stone P, Benepal T, Bates N, Wee B. Modafinil for the treatment of fatigue in lung cancer: results of a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial. J Clin Oncol. 2014
- Mohamed AD, Lewis CR. Modafinil increases the latency of response in the Hayling Sentence Completion Test in healthy volunteers: a randomised controlled trial. PLoS One. 2014
- McFadden SL, Zulas AL, Morgan RE. Age-dependent effects of modafinil on acoustic startle and prepulse inhibition in rats. Behav Brain Res. 2010
- Burgos H, Castillo A, Flores O, Puentes G, Morgan C, Gatica A, Cofré C, Hernández A, Laurido C, Constandil L. Effect of modafinil on learning performance and neocortical long-term potentiation in rats. Brain Res Bull. 2010
- Ray K, Chatterjee A, Panjwani U, Kumar S, Sahu S, Ghosh S, Thakur L, Anand JP. Modafinil improves event related potentials P300 and contingent negative variation after 24 h sleep deprivation. Life Sci. 2012
- Moreira KM, Ferreira TL, Hipolide DC, Fornari RV, Tufik S, Oliveira MG. Modafinil prevents inhibitory avoidance memory deficit induced by sleep deprivation in rats. Sleep. 2010
Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment