Back to library
Small MoleculeApproved

Modafinil (Provigil)

moh-DAF-ih-nil

Research profile · How we handle evidence

Category

Small Molecule

Compound type

Phase / Status

Approved

FDA approved. Schedule IV controlled substance in the US. Prescription required. Not a toy - it's real medicine.

Standard Dose

100-200mg

Once daily (morning)

Half-life

12-15 hours

Plasma elimination

Route(s)

OR

Oral

Research Stage

Market Approved

Regulatory approval granted; post-market monitoring ongoing.

Overview

Modafinil helps people stay awake and alert, particularly when sleepiness is a medical problem. It generally has fewer classic stimulant-type effects than some other wakefulness agents, but it can still cause insomnia, headache, anxiety, and - rarely - serious skin reactions. Use should follow prescribing guidance and avoid taking it late in the day.

Plain-language summary

Modafinil helps people stay awake and alert, particularly when sleepiness is a medical problem. It generally has fewer classic stimulant-type effects than some other wakefulness agents, but it can still cause insomnia, headache, anxiety, and - rarely - serious skin reactions. Use should follow prescribing guidance and avoid taking it late in the day.

Administration Routes

  • Oral

Also known as

ModafinilProvigilModathe limitless pill

Mechanisms

1

Wakefulness-promoting agent - inhibits dopamine reuptake, increases histamine release in hypothalamus, and activates orexin/hypocretin system. Basically turns up your brain's 'awake' dial without the stimulant chaos.

Detailed mechanism

Wakefulness-promoting agent - inhibits dopamine reuptake, increases histamine release in hypothalamus, and activates orexin/hypocretin system. Modulates cellular pathways and enzyme activity to produce therapeutic effects at the molecular level.

Safety

Side effects

  • Headache (most common, especially early use)
  • Insomnia if taken too late in the day
  • Reduced appetite
  • Nausea
  • Anxiety at higher doses
  • Rare serious skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome - very rare)

Reported benefits

  • Sustained wakefulness and alertness for 12-15 hours
  • Improved cognitive performance and working memory
  • FDA approved with excellent safety profile
  • Very low abuse and addiction potential
  • No rebound crash like stimulants
  • Improves mood and motivation

Safety profile

Well-characterized safety profile from extensive clinical use and trials.

Clinical trials

Completed clinical trials leading to FDA or regulatory approval.

Structure

View 3D structure

Verified structure

Modafinil (Provigil)

Exact 2D structure can be rendered from a PubChem-backed canonical SMILES string.

Verified via PubChemMatched by casNumber
Source: PubChemLookup: 68693-11-8InChIKey YFGHCGITMMYXAQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Chemical Formula
C15H15NO2S
Molecular Weight
273.35 g/mol
CAS Number
68693-11-8
InChIKey
YFGHCGITMMYXAQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Stack Context

Stacks with

L-theanine (reduces anxiety)SemaxSelank

Comparison context

Modafinil promotes wakefulness without the jitters of caffeine or the euphoria of amphetamines. Armodafinil is the longer-lasting R-enantiomer version. Unlike Adderall, modafinil is subtle and all-business. Bromantane is similar in being non-stimulant but works through dopamine synthesis rather than histamine.

References

  1. 1

    Cognitive enhancing effects of modafinil in healthy volunteers

    2015

    View source
  2. 2

    Modafinil for the treatment of fatigue in multiple sclerosis (Annals of Neurology)

    2002

    View source

This profile summarizes research literature for education only. It is not medical advice, and it does not diagnose, treat, or recommend a dose. Consult a qualified professional before changing a protocol.

Research-driven insights.Evidence-based decisions.