File:Modafinil_structure.svg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons
modafinil
Also known as Provigil®, 2-((diphenylmethyl)sulfinyl)acetamide, Modafinilum, Modafinilo, Moderateafinil, Alertec
Modafinil, sold under the brand name Provigil among others, is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant medication used to treat narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder. It is taken by mouth. Modafinil is a first-line treatment for narcolepsy in the United States and Europe.
Key facts
- Drug.image
- Modafinil structure.svg
- Drug.image_class
- skin-invert-image
- Drug.width
- 215px
- Drug.caption
- Modafinil skeletal formula
- Drug.image2
- (S)-Modafinil molecule ball.png
- Drug.image_class2
- bg-transparent
- Drug.width2
- 225px
- Drug.caption2
- Esmodafinil ball-and-stick model
- Drug.tradename
- Provigil, others
- Drug.MedlinePlus
- a602016
- Drug.DailyMedID
- Modafinil
- Drug.pregnancy_AU
- D
- Drug.dependency_liability
~38 min read
Article
46 sectionsContents
- Uses
- Medical
- Sleep disorders
- Multiple sclerosis-related fatigue
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Occupational
- Non-medical
- Sports
- Available forms
- Contraindications
- Adverse effects
- Tolerance
- Addiction and dependence
- Overdose
- Interactions
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacodynamics
- Pharmacokinetics
- Absorption
- Distribution
- Metabolism
- Elimination
- Specific populations
- Chemistry
- Enantiomers
- Detection in body fluids
- Structural analogues
- History
- Society and culture
- Legal status
- Brand names
- Economics
- Patent protection and litigation
- Social views
- Research
- Psychiatric conditions
- Major depressive disorder
- Substance dependence
- Schizophrenia
- Motivational disorders
- Cognitive enhancement
- Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
- Other conditions
- References
- External links
Modafinil, sold under the brand name Provigil among others, is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant medication used to treat narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder. It is taken by mouth. Modafinil is a first-line treatment for narcolepsy in the United States and Europe.
The mechanism of action is not fully understood, but modafinil acts mainly as an atypical dopamine reuptake inhibitor, increasing dopamine levels without the rapid or overt signaling seen with classical stimulants such as amphetamine or cocaine. Unlike these drugs, modafinil has low addiction and dependence potential and does not produce strong euphoria, which contributes to its classification as a Schedule IV controlled substance in the United States. It is a prescription medication in most countries.