Modafinil and its related compound, armodafinil, are wakefulness-promoting agents prescribed for conditions such as narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea. While they can be effective for treating excessive sleepiness, reports of serious side effects—including conjunctivitis and mouth ulcers—highlight the risks of unsupervised use. Key Takeaways What Is Modafinil? Modafinil is a non-amphetamine…

Fatigue is one of the most common and disabling symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS), affecting up to 78% of patients and often reducing quality of life and work capacity (Oliva Ramirez et al., 2021). Unlike ordinary tiredness, MS-related fatigue can appear suddenly, persist throughout the day, and is not always relieved by rest. Given the…

Post-stroke fatigue (PSF) is a persistent and debilitating condition that affects up to 70% of stroke survivors, often lasting months or even years (Bivard et al., 2017; Cross et al., 2020). Unlike normal tiredness, PSF interferes significantly with quality of life, limiting independence and rehabilitation outcomes. Despite its prevalence, effective pharmacological treatments have been limited—until…

Sunosi (solriamfetol) and Modafinil are both FDA-approved medications used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) associated with narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). While they share a goal—to improve wakefulness—their mechanisms of action, clinical effectiveness, side effect profiles, and cost structures differ in ways that may influence treatment decisions. Key Takeaways What Is Sunosi (Solriamfetol)?…

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological disorder marked by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, usually accompanied by unpleasant sensations that worsen at night. While several effective therapies exist, some researchers have explored whether modafinil, a wakefulness-promoting medication, could help. Key Takeaways Understanding Restless Legs Syndrome RLS, also known as Willis–Ekbom disease,…

Modafinil, widely known under the brand name Provigil, was originally approved to treat sleep-related disorders such as narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work disorder. Over time, it has also gained attention for its potential as a cognitive enhancer. A central question in this discussion is how Modafinil affects dopamine, a neurotransmitter critical for motivation,…

Modafinil is a wakefulness-promoting medication approved for narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work disorder. Increasingly, it is also used off-label for cognitive enhancement by students and professionals. While often considered safer than traditional stimulants, modafinil has raised concerns about cardiovascular effects, including the possibility of irregular heartbeats in otherwise healthy individuals. Key Takeaways Mechanism…

What is Modafinil? Modafinil (brand name Provigil®) is a prescription medication primarily used to promote wakefulness in individuals with sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea (FDA, 2007).Beyond its approved uses, modafinil has seen growing off-label adoption as a cognitive enhancer among healthy individuals (Kumar, 2008; Porsdam-Mann & Sahakian,…