Modafinil is a wakefulness medicine that treats conditions like narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder. It is a controlled drug in the United States and many countries because it can be misused (U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA], 2015; Greenblatt & Adams, 2023). The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has strict rules for…

Living with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) can be difficult and exhausting. Symptoms such as dizziness, a rapid heartbeat, fatigue, and “brain fog” often appear when standing. Even with available lifestyle approaches and medications, many individuals still face persistent fatigue and cognitive issues. Modafinil, a wakefulness-promoting medication, has recently been explored as a possible way…

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is often associated with joint pain and inflammation. However, one of its most persistent and debilitating symptoms is chronic fatigue, which can significantly impair daily life. Some patients have explored Modafinil, a prescription medication typically used to treat sleep disorders as a potential remedy. But does the science support this approach? Key…

Delayed Sleep–Wake Phase Disorder (DSWPD), also called Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder (DSPD), is a circadian rhythm disorder where an individual’s sleep schedule is shifted two or more hours later than conventional times. This makes it difficult to fall asleep before midnight and equally hard to wake up in the morning for work, school, or social…

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic condition marked by widespread pain, persistent fatigue, sleep disturbances, and cognitive issues often referred to as “fibro fog.” These symptoms can make daily activities challenging and exhausting. While current treatments often target pain and sleep, managing debilitating fatigue remains a major hurdle. Modafinil, a wakefulness-promoting medication approved for sleep disorders,…

Idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) is a rare but debilitating sleep disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness that persists despite long or sufficient nighttime sleep. Many patients describe living with constant grogginess, unrefreshing naps, and difficulty maintaining daily functioning. Because of these challenges, effective treatments are essential. One medication often discussed is modafinil, a wakefulness-promoting drug originally…

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological sleep disorder that causes excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), sudden muscle weakness (cataplexy), vivid dreams, and fragmented nighttime sleep. Treatment aims to improve daytime functioning, reduce sleep attacks, and manage associated symptoms such as cataplexy. For many years, modafinil has been the mainstay therapy for narcolepsy-related EDS. More recently, pitolisant, a…

Modafinil is a prescription medicine for excessive daytime sleepiness related to narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work disorder. It is also used off label by some people who want to stay alert. A common worry is whether modafinil will make you fail a drug test. The short answer is that standard workplace panels do…