What is Modafinil?

• Modafinil prevents feelings of excessive sleepiness (including a sleeping disorder such as excessive daytime sleepiness)
• Modafinil is a prescription medication prescribed for people who fall asleep during the day due to narcolepsy (Ann Neurol. 1998), or those who struggle to stay awake when working night shifts or who have a changing shift pattern
• Modafinil medication is also prescribed for some patients with obstructive sleep apnoea
• Modafinil has been studied for its role in cognitive function (Battleday & Brem, 2015) as a cognitive enhancement drug / cognitive enhancer.
• Modafinil is often prescribed on a short term basis, as some people experience feelings of dependence when Modafinil is taken for long periods
• Modafinil is a prescription drug sometimes referred to by its brand name of Provigil (or "generic Provigil")
• It is important to read the patient leaflet for a full list of potential side effects, adverse reactions, drug interactions and cautions.
• Off-licence use of Modafinil as a 'smart drug' or ‘smart pill’ has been reviewed by Oxford University but it is not recommended by the MHRA due to the potential side effects - they state that prescription-only medicines should only be used after an appropriate consultation with a GP. These side effects have also had coverage in the media (BBC News, 2016).

Video: An overview of Modafinil

Take a look at the video below to get a simple overview of Modafinil, including what it is used for, dosages, side effects and precautions:

How Does Modafinil Work?

Modafinil alters the amount of certain chemicals within the brain. These chemicals have an impact on the part of the brain that controls how alert a person feels. This leads to feelings of wakefulness. 

The body can become accustomed to the effect of modafinil, making you feel dependent on it if you take it for a long time. This also means that stopping it can lead to feelings of withdrawal. This is why you should only take modafinil as prescribed by your doctor, pharmacist and/or healthcare provider, and attend for regular reviews to check that modafinil is still appropriate for you.

Every patient suffering from sleep disorders and/or needing improved cognitive neuroenhancement (such as ADHD patients) has a unique individual experience when taking Modafinil as a treatment.

User Reviews for Modafinil

To see what people have to say about their experiences with the medication, take a look at the Modafinil user reviews. There a wide range of customer reviews and experiences with Modafinil usage available at Drugs.com, Web MD and Everyday Health.

You must speak to a doctor or your healthcare provider before taking Modafinil. They will assess your suitability for the medication and whether your health condition requires Modafinil or an alternative treatment.

For more information on the prescription medication please refer to the Modafinil patient information leaflet.

How do I take Modafinil?

Modafinil Tablet

Modafinil is available in tablet form. It should be swallowed with some water, and can be taken with or without food. 

If you are taking modafinil for narcolepsy or sleep apnoea, you will most likely take it once a day in the morning to help you feel more awake during the day.

If you are taking modafinil for a shift work sleep disorder such as extreme sleepiness associated with working night shifts or a changing shift pattern, you will probably take it just before you start your shift to help you feel more awake at work.

Modafinil is not an alternative to getting enough sleep, and so it should not be used in place of good sleep habits. 

What is the proper dosage of Modafinil?

The usual starting dose of modafinil is 200mg each day. 

However, some people may require up to 400mg each day. When taking 400mg, Modafinil medicine can be taken as one single dose, or split between a morning and lunchtime dose for those taking it for narcolepsy or sleep apnoea. Shift workers may also take a split dose, but the timing of the doses will depend on the time of each shift.

Should you miss a dose of Modafinil skip the missed dose if it almost bedtime and do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What are the side effects of Modafinil?

Modafinil Side Effects

Like all medications, modafinil can have some side effects. The most common side effects include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
• Nausea (feeling sick)
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Loss of appetite
• A dry mouth, or a strange taste in your mouth.
• Gastrointestinal disorders (NICE, 2024)

If any of these adverse effects persist or are troublesome, you should speak to your doctor for medical advice.

Occasionally, more serious side effects can occur including:

• Confusion
• Nosebleeds
• Sweating
• Back pain
• Tight, achy muscles, or difficulty moving
• Uncontrollable shaking
• Changed sensations of the skin and skin reactions including skin rash, tingling or numbness
• Changes to eyesight or pain in your eyes
• Feeling abnormally excited
• Anxiety or depression, or thoughts of harming yourself.

If any of these side effects occur, you should speak to a doctor straight away for emergency medical help.

If you have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) including trouble breathing/breathlessness, lip or tongue swelling, call 999 immediately.

What warnings does Modafinil come with?

Modafinil may not be suitable for everyone. You should tell your doctor if you:

• Have ever had an allergic reaction to a medication in the past
• Have liver or kidney disease
• Have high blood pressure
• Have an abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia) or another heart problem
• Have a mental health condition including psychosis, depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder
• Have ever attempted suicide or had suicidal ideation
• Have a history of insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
• Use hormonal contraceptives to prevent pregnancy
• Are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding
• Have, or have ever had, drug or alcohol dependence.

Some medications can interact with modafinil. You may be advised that modafinil will not suit you if you already take:

• Medications for epilepsy
• Contraceptive medications
• Antidepressants
• Blood thinning medications
• Certain medications for heartburn or acid reflux
• Benzodiazepines such as diazepam
• Beta blockers including propranolol
• Certain antifungal medications.

Modafinil can affect the efficacy of contraceptives. Another form of contraception should be used whilst taking modafinil, and for one month after stopping it. Modafinil is unsuitable for women who are trying to conceive, already pregnant, or breastfeeding.

You should also tell your prescriber about any herbal remedies or supplements you take before buying modafinil online. This will allow your prescriber to check that modafinil will not interact with them.

It is important that your doctor checks that modafinil will suit you. Your doctor should complete a thorough health questionnaire and review your current medications before prescribing this medication. You should also take care to only buy modafinil from reputable online pharmacies, online clinics or traditional pharmacies.

Below are a list of the most frequently asked questions that customers ask about Modafinil:

Is Modafinil available in branded form?

Yes. Modafinil can be found under the brand name of Provigil. Generic modafinil is available to purchase at EU Meds.

Can you drink alcohol when taking Modafinil?

Modafinil and Alcohol

No. Because Modafinil promotes wakefulness, it is advisable not to consume alcohol when taking Modafinil (generic Provigil). The combined effect of alcohol and Modafinil may lead to patients experiencing phenomenon such as blackouts, vomiting, dizziness, and tremors. More studies are needed into the dangerous side effects of mixing alcohol and modafinil as Modafinil overdose is more likely if it is combined with alcohol or other drugs (The Recovery Village, 2023). If you have taken modafinil and alcohol together you should seek immediate medical attention from a doctor or healthcare professional.

Is Modafinil legal?

The legal status of Modafinil depends on the jurisdiction. For example in the UK Modafinil is a prescription only medication, meaning that it is only obtainable with a valid doctors prescription. In the United States, Modafinil is classified as a schedule IV controlled substance. In certain countries no controls may apply.

Is Modafinil a nootropic medication?

Yes. Modafinil is a prescription nootropic medicine (Brody, 2022). There are 3 general categories of nootropic treatments: prescription drugs, dietary supplements and synthetic compounds.

Is Modafinil an effective treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome?

According to Garg et al (2021), if prescribed over the medium term, Modafinil appears to be a potentially useful potentiating agent for refractory chronic fatigue syndrome, when used in combination with cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). However, prior research by Randall et al (2005) found that chronic treatment with Modafinil may not benefit patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Though Modafinil could potentially be an effective short term solution for CFS (Turkington et al (2004)). If you are experiencing chronic fatigue syndrome, you should seek medical advice from a healthcare professional or doctor, who will be able to advise on an appropriate course of treatment.

Is Modafinil available on NHS prescriptions in the UK?

Should a GP or healthcare specialist deem it to be suitable for a patient, they can prescribe a stimulant medication such as modafinil via NHS prescriptions. NHS prescriptions are charged at a set rate by the UK government as a levy (Almomani et al, 2023) and are subject to change year on year. A modafinil prescription is available at EU Meds, pending a successful online consultation with an independent pharmacist prescriber.

Is Modafinil an effective treatment for obstructive sleep apnea?

Whilst Pack et al (2001) state that patients with obstructive sleep apnea may find modafinil to be a useful adjunct treatment for the management of residual daytime sleepiness, it tends to be used internationally despite it's continuous positive airway pressure in obstructive sleep apnoea (Chapman et al, 2016). It is always important to speak to your doctor or health care provider before starting Modafinil treatment. They will be able to assess if the medication suits your requirements.

Does Modafinil improve cognitive performance?

Modafinil can potentially improve cognitive performance processes such as attention / cognitive focus, learning and memory (Mereu et al, 2013). Modafinil's stimulant properties could be the result of enhanced whole brain function (Gerrard and Malcolm, 2007). However, it's not clear whether Modafinil could have a negative impact on other aspects of an individuals performance, such as physical performance, if it does improve cognitive abilities (Puyvelde et al, 2022). Additionally, Kredlow et al (2019) believe that there may only be limited potential for modafinil to act as a cognitive enhancer outside sleep-deprived populations and according to Repantis et al's (2010) study of Modafinil and methylphenidate for neuroenhancement in healthy individuals, repeated doses of Modafinil were unable to prevent cognitive performance deterioration over a longer period of sleep deprivation. You should always consult your doctor prior to taking Modafinil to ensure that it is suitable and safe for you due to it's potential impact on cognitive ability and other aspects.

Why is Modafinil sometimes referred to as a study drug?

In recent years Modafinil has been referred to as a study drug. This is due to it's rise in popularity amongst the student population. A 2016 study by The Student Room revealed that 1 in 10 UK students (from a sample size of 2000 students) had used drugs such as Modafinil to study in addition to a quarter of the sample saying that they would consider taking them in the future. However, the safety and efficacy of drugs such as modafinil in the long term is still unclear and caution should be urged (d'Angelo et al 2017). In a 2016 press release by GOV.UK, the MHRA stressed the potential dangers of buying fake prescription medicines, such as Modafinil online to students when looking for ways to get higher marks in their studies. This further highlights the need to speak to a healthcare professional, such as your doctor prior to taking Modafinil, as they can make an informed decision as to whether the drug is safe for you.

Can you take birth control when taking Modafinil?

No. It is not recommended to take Modafinil and birth control at the same time. This is because Modafinil can interact with birth control medication, reducing the birth control's effectiveness in preventing pregnancy. Although further research is required, Modafinil use during pregnancy or when trying to conceive could also potentially contribute to an increased risk of malformations (Kaplan et al, 2021), including the baby being born with a birth defect (UKTIS, 2021).

Is Modafinil suitable for erectile dysfunction treatment?

Whilst it is not the primary treatment for erectile dysfunction symptoms, Modafinil can be useful in treating patients who experience sexual health issues such as erectile dysfunction and psychological issues such as major depression, when used in combination with antidepressant treatments, with modafinil also improving episodic memory and working memory performance in these patients (Karaş & Kaşer, 2019). A consultation with your doctor or GP will ensure that you receive suitable erectile dysfunction treatment should you require it.

Are Armodafinil and Modafinil the same?

Armodafinil vs Modafinil

No. Armodafinil and Modafinil are not the same prescription drug. Although both Modafinil and Armodafinil have the same terminal half-lives a study by Darwish et al (2009) found that they each have substantially different pharmacokinetic profiles. There are also notable differences in their dosing regimens and chemical structures. Whilst the branded name for Modafinil is Provigil, the branded name for Armodafinil is Nuvigil.

Are Modafinil and Adderall the same?

Modafinil vs Adderall

No. Adderall and Modafinil are not the same prescription drug. Both medications have simulant-like effects, however, due to the differences in their chemical structures, their are significant differences in the risk of adverse side effects and potential for addiction and withdrawal symptoms - when discontinuing use of Adderall, it is much more likely to cause withdrawal symptoms, addiction and/or dependence on it.

Where to buy Modafinil online?

Buy Modafinil UK

You can safely buy Modafinil online here at EU Meds (available in various quantities with blisters strips containing 10 tablets). Our purchase process is similar to an online pharmacy, where we will guide you through getting the necessary valid prescription and receiving your order online through an EU-located pharmacy. If your prescription is approved after your online consultation with a doctor, you can continue to purchase Modafinil online from the comfort of your own home, rather than having to visit a pharmacy in person. If you have any questions on your Modafinil purchase the EU Meds customer service team are on hand to help customers with any queries, please do get in touch. If you decide to order Modafinil from EU Meds, you can find out more about our delivery options (including standard typical 5-6 day delivery) on our delivery page.

• Drugs.com - Modafinil
• Drugs.com - Modafinil Reviews
• WebMD - Modafinil Reviews
• PubMed - Modafinil in psychiatric disorders: the promising state reconsidered
• Queen Victoria Hospital - Modafinil Patient Information Leaflet
• Medicines.org.uk - Modafinil Summary of Product Characteristics
• ScienceDirect - Modafinil
• WebMD - Modafinil Oral
• Mayo Clinic - Modafinil Oral Side Effects
• DrugBank - Modafinil
• Medicines.org.uk - Modafinil Tablets Summary of Product Characteristics
• GOV.UK - Modafinil Restricted Use Recommended
• Wikipedia - Modafinil
• BNF - Modafinil
• NICE (National Institute For Health and Care Excellence) - Draft Scope Pre-Referral
• European Medicines Agency - Modafinil Referral
• GMMMG Modafinil Primary Care Info Leaflet