May 22 / 2020

What is better Modafinil vs Adrafinil?

Modafinil is a name of the active substance used in many modern anti-narcoleptic drugs including Provigil and Modalert. These medications are considered the safest among the most potent and effective wakefulness-promoting agents and brain function stimulants. The use of Modafinil is not limited to narcolepsy. It also can be appointed for shift-work sleep disorder and obstructive sleep apnea. However, nowadays it is also the most popular “smart drug”, i.e. the formulation that is used by healthy individuals to promote wakefulness and cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and others.

Adrafinil can be called a predecessor of Modafinil. This wakefulness-promoting brain stimulant was developed back in 1974 for narcolepsy and other disorders that are associated with abnormal sluggishness. In the body, the formulation is transformed into Modafinil. However, it needs more time to start rendering the effect than Modafinil.

Comparison of Modafinil and Adrafinil

The medications render basically the same effect but with minor changes. See the table below to find out more about them.

Features

Modafinil

Adrafinil

Class

Analeptics, nootropics, eugeroics, wakefulness-promoting agents

Eugeroics, wakefulness-promoting agents

Trade names

Modafinil, Provigil, others

Adrafinil, Olmifon, others

Available forms

Oral pills.

Time of intake

In the morning with or without food.

In the morning or the first half of the day (divided dosages).

Average/Maximum daily dosage

The average dosage per day is 200 mg. The maximum dosage is 250 mg a day.

The average dosage of Adrafinil is 150 mg. The maximum dosage per day is 300 mg. It is recommended to start from the low dosage and gradually increase it till the optimal effect.

Release from pharmacies

Rx-only

Approved uses

Narcolepsy, sleepiness related to shift work, and obstructive sleep apnea.

Medication to enhance alertness, focus, and wakefulness, improve mood and other cognitive functions, particularly in the senior patients.

Non-prescribed uses

ADHD, apathy associated with depression, improvement of cognitive functions in brain injury, after cancer treatment, or other invasive treatment, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, enhancement of cognitive functions, coping with sleepiness associated with other diseases or mental disorders, jet-lag, sleepiness associated with sensitivity to weather changes, weight loss medication.

Adrafinil is also used for any conditions and disorders associated with increased sleepiness and slowing down of cognitive functions, including sleep deprivation or night shifts at work.

Effect duration

A single pill provides the effect for 10-12 hours.

A single pill provides the effect for 3-4 hours.

Metabolized in

Liver

Excreted in

Urine

Principle of action

Modafinil is believed to be a selective and mild atypical dopamine reuptake inhibitor. This leads to the increased amount of dopamine in the body. The inhibition of dopamine recapture makes the formulation a means to promote alertness without acting on the whole nervous system like amphetamines.

Adrafinil is a prodrug, i.e. it is transformed in the body into another substance, Modafinil. Since its active metabolite is Modafinil, the effect of Adrafinil is the same as of the drug with the respective name: it selectively inhibits the reuptake of dopamine in synaptic clefts which increases the level of free dopamine and promotes wakefulness.

Withdrawal syndrome

Negative effects related to the drug use

The use of Modafinil is rarely associated with any negative effects which make it the first-line medication for narcolepsy and other conditions with excessive sleepiness. The possible adverse reactions are: trouble falling asleep, loss of appetite, mild headache, and nausea. Insomnia can be prevented by the intake of the dosage early in the morning. If any allergic reactions occur, as in the case with any other medication, the use must be discontinued.

The use of Adrafinil usually isn’t accompanied by any adverse effects when the drug is taken properly. However, in a long-term use of high dosages, liver function disorder can occur. Other possible adverse effects are excessive agitation, headache, raise of blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, insomnia, loss of appetite, allergic reactions, and others. If any allergic reactions occur due to the use of Adrafinil, as in the case with any other medication, the use must be discontinued.

Contraindications for the medication use

Intolerance of main and auxiliary components of the tablets; Period of pregnancy and breastfeeding; Use is prohibited for children and teens; Elevated arterial tension associated with the use of stimulants; Severe liver dysfunction; Severe heart disease.

Intolerance of Adrafinil, Modafinil, or other components of the pills; Epilepsy; Diseases of the liver and/or kidneys; Period of pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Use in pregnant women

Contraindicated.

Abuse potential

Low

Dependence development potential

Insignificant psychological dependence can be developed.

Interactions of drugs

Modafinil enhances the effect of CYP3A4 enzyme of the liver which makes other drugs metabolized with this enzyme being washed out faster. The medication lowers the effect of hormonal contraceptives. Avoid using any other stimulants with Modafinil as the enhanced effect can cause severe side effects.

Adrafinil is transformed into Modafinil in the body, it also induces the action of CYP3A4 enzyme and can accelerate the washing out of the medications metabolized with it. Adrafinil lowers the effect of oral birth control pills. It mustn’t be used with other stimulants.

Precautions to follow when using the drug

Make sure to get checked to find out the reason behind your sluggishness before you buy Modafinil. Use condoms while taking Modafinil to avoid pregnancy as the oral birth control pills lose its effect when taken with the stimulant. Do not take more than one pill a day and in the morning or you can develop insomnia.

Make sure to get checked to find out the reason behind your sluggishness before you buy Adrafinil. Use barrier contraception or spermicides condoms while taking Adrafinil to avoid pregnancy as the oral birth control pills lose its effect when taken with the stimulant. Do not take more than 300 mg a day and in the first half of the day or you can develop insomnia.

As you can see from this comparison, Modafinil and Adrafinil are basically the same drugs but Modafinil is a newer medication with an improved formula which renders a longer-lasting effect, requires the use of only one pill a day, and has a much less pronounced negative effect on the liver. You can buy Modafinil without Rx in our pharmacy and enjoy free international shipping on orders over $170.

(Updated at Mar 4 / 2025)

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Modafinil Modalert 200mg Boosts wakefulness and cognitive function, prescribed for narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder. Rating: 4.89 (152)

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