What is Modafinil - Meaning and definition

Published by Roberto Wenk. Last updated date: February 16, 2016.

A synthetic central nervous system stimulant with wakefulness-promoting activity.
Modafinil appears to inhibit dopamine reuptake, resulting in an increase in extracellular dopamine. This agent exhibits pronounced wakefulness-promoting activity (without sympathomimetic activity) and may improve cognitive function in certain clinical settings.

National Cancer Institute. NCI Drug Dictionary. Internet. September 15, 2009.

Published by Roberto Wenk. Reviewed by Alison Ramsey. Last updated date: January 11, 2019.

Modafinil is a non-amphetamine psychostimulant approved for the treatment of excessive daytime somnolence associated with obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and shift work sleep disorder.

Adult
PO
Narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea: 200-400 mg/day as a single dose in the morning or in 2 divided doses.
Shift-work sleep disorder: 200 mg as a single dose 1 hr before starting work.

Adverse drug reactions: headache, nervousness, insomnia, agitation, confusion, personality disorders, anxiety, hypertension, palpitations, tachycardia, psychosis, depression, mania.

Use in palliative care: Patients are often seriously debilitated by fatigue, excessive daytime somnolence, and depression, and modafinil may reduce these symptoms.
Modafinil may have a therapeutic niche when methylphenidate use is contraindicated or limited due to side effects.

Adapted from CIMS Drug Information System. Internet. Accessed on January 10, 2016.

Modafinil

To cite