Modafinil

Medically reviewed by Victor Nguyen, PharmD, MBA on May 13, 2023
Written by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved modafinil to improve wakefulness and treat excessive sleepiness. It’s prescribed to adults with one of the following conditions:

• narcolepsy
• shift work sleep disorder
• obstructive sleep apnea

This article describes modafinil’s uses, side effects, and more. Below you’ll also find some coupon options to help save on the cost of modafinil.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about modafinil.

How does modafinil compare with armodafinil, Adderall, and Ritalin?

You may wonder how modafinil compares with similar drugs, such as Nuvigil (armodafinil), Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts), and Ritalin (methylphenidate).

Modafinil and armodafinil are approved for the same purposes. This includes improving wakefulness and treating excessive sleepiness in adults with one of the following conditions:

• narcolepsy
• shift work sleep disorder
• obstructive sleep apnea

Adderall and Ritalin are approved to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). But modafinil and armodafinil are not approved to treat ADHD.

Your doctor or pharmacist can answer more questions you have about how modafinil compares with similar drugs.

Can modafinil be prescribed for ADHD, weight loss, or depression?

Maybe. Modafinil is not approved for treating ADHD or depression or for weight loss. But doctors may still prescribe modafinil off-label for these uses. Off-label use is when a drug is prescribed for a condition other than it’s approved uses.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about off-label uses for modafinil.

Are misuse, withdrawal, and dependence possible with modafinil?

Yes, misuse and dependence are possible with modafinil.* Studies have shown the drug can also be addictive. (With addiction, a drug is taken even if it’s causing harmful outcomes.)

But withdrawal symptoms haven’t been reported with the drug. (Withdrawal symptoms can occur when you stop taking a drug your body is dependent on.)

Due to these risks, modafinil is classified as a controlled substance in the United States. This means doctors and pharmacists must follow strict regulations when prescribing and dispensing the drug. These rules are in place to help prevent misuse and addiction.

Talk with your pharmacist or doctor if you have more questions about modafinil and the risks of misuse, dependence, or withdrawal.

* Misuse means a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed. Dependence means your body needs the drug in order to function like usual.

What is modafinil’s half-life? How does the drug work?

Modafinil has a half-life of about 15 hours. A drug’s half-life is about how long it takes to get rid of half a dose after taking one.

It’s not known how modafinil works. The drug begins working after you take a dose, but it may take a few days or weeks to treat your symptoms.

Talk with your pharmacist or doctor if you have more questions about modafinil, such as how it works or how long it takes to start working.

Does modafinil cause long-term side effects?

Yes, in some cases, modafinil may cause long-term side effects, such as severe allergic reaction.* This includes serious skin reactions that can be life threatening. These reactions usually occur at the beginning of treatment, but they can also happen after taking modafinil for months.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to best manage them. You can ask them for more information about how long these side effects of modafinil may last.

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for modafinil” section below.

Can modafinil cause heart-related side effects?

Yes, modafinil can cause symptoms that affect the heart, including chest pain, an irregular heartbeat, or a fast heart rate.

Due to these effects, doctors are careful about prescribing modafinil to people with a heart problem, such as heart disease. In this case, they may prescribe a lower dose or avoid prescribing the drug altogether.

It’s important to discuss your health history, including any heart problems you may have, with your doctor before you start taking modafinil.

Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about heart-related side effects with modafinil. They can advise whether it could be bad for your heart.

Modafinil may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of modafinil and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about modafinil’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information* for modafinil.

* To view modafinil’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of modafinil are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about modafinil’s side effects, see the prescribing information* for modafinil.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Modafinil oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• headache
• feeling anxious or nervous
• stuffy nose
• diarrhea
• mild allergic reaction†

* To view modafinil’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for modafinil” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of modafinil are listed below.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about modafinil’s side effects, see the prescribing information* for modafinil.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, modafinil’s serious side effects include:

• mental health side effects, including hallucinations, aggression, and suicidal thoughts
• symptoms of a heart problem, including chest pain and trouble breathing
• severe allergic reaction, including serious skin reactions that can be life threatening†

* To view modafinil’s prescribing information, see the “Article resources” section below.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for modafinil” section below.

Suicide prevention

If you know someone at immediate risk of self-harm, suicide, or hurting another person:

• Ask the tough question: “Are you considering suicide?”
• Listen to the person without judgment.
• Call 911 or the local emergency number, or text TALK to 741741 to communicate with a trained crisis counselor.
• Stay with the person until professional help arrives.
• Try to remove any weapons, medications, or other potentially harmful objects.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, a prevention hotline can help. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day at 988. During a crisis, people who are hard of hearing can use their preferred relay service or dial 711 then 988.

Click here for more links and local resources.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as modafinil for certain conditions. Approved uses for modafinil are described below.

Use for excessive sleepiness

Doctors may prescribe modafinil oral tablet for treating excessive daytime sleepiness caused by certain medical conditions. It’s prescribed for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

Certain medical conditions can cause excessive daytime sleepiness. These include:

• Narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is a brain disorder that causes you to feel sleepy most of the time. It can even cause you to fall asleep suddenly, such as while you’re working or driving.
• Shift work sleep disorder. Shift work sleep disorder affects people working non-traditional shifts, such as overnight (“graveyard”), or rotating work hours. You may experience decreased alertness, trouble concentrating, and fatigue (low energy).
• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA is a condition where you temporarily stop breathing for short periods while sleeping.

It’s important to note that modafinil isn’t a treatment for OSA. It’s only prescribed to treat excessive daytime sleepiness as a symptom of OSA. Be sure to continue taking any OSA treatments that your doctor prescribes along with modafinil.

The dosage of modafinil your doctor prescribes may vary based on your condition and certain other factors. Talk with your doctor about the dosage you should follow.

Taking modafinil

Modafinil oral tablet is swallowed with or without food.

Your doctor will talk with you about how to take modafinil. They’ll explain how much to take and how often. Always follow your doctor’s recommendation.

Overdose of modafinil

You should not take more modafinil than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to serious side effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much modafinil, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Below, you’ll find information about modafinil’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of modafinil

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take modafinil, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription drugs
• over-the-counter medications
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Interactions and warnings for modafinil” section below.

Warnings for modafinil

Some people should not take modafinil, and others should take it cautiously.

Modafinil could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether modafinil is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for modafinil, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Modafinil can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to modafinil or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe modafinil. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

Severe and life threatening allergic skin reactions may also occur in rare cases. These reactions include:

• Stevens-Johnson syndrome
• drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms
• toxic epidermal necrolysis

The symptoms of these skin reactions can vary, but some general ones include:

• blistering or peeling skin rash on any part of your body, including your eyes, mouth, chest, and genitals
• skin discoloration
• fever
• itching or burning eyes

If you have an allergic reaction to modafinil, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and modafinil

Information about modafinil and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Modafinil and pregnancy

It’s not known whether modafinil should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

If you and your doctor decide you’ll take modafinil while pregnant, consider joining the pregnancy registry for modafinil. A pregnancy registry collects information about a drug’s effects during pregnancy. You can learn more or join the registry by calling 866-404-4106.

Modafinil and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether modafinil should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

You may be able to save money on your prescription for modafinil by using our Perks discount coupons. They can be found at the end of this article.

If you have questions about how to pay for modafinil, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

This article describes modafinil’s uses and dosage, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about modafinil or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Does modafinil come in a brand-name version?
• Does my health history raise my risk of side effects from taking modafinil?
• If I have side effects from modafinil, can you prescribe a lower dose for me to try?
• What are my options if I can’t afford my modafinil prescription?

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Modafinil- modafinil tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/9f3b0bd2-72a3-411f-aeec-b533373f1a97/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.