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Provigil (modafinil)

Nuvo Pharms · FDA-approved active Verified Quality 80/100

Provigil works by increasing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, such as dopamine, to help regulate sleep-wake cycles.

Provigil (modafinil) is a sympathomimetic-like agent developed by CEPHALON and currently owned by Nuvo Pharms. It targets the D(2) dopamine receptor and is used to treat various sleep disorders, including hypersomnia, narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder. Approved by the FDA in 1998, modafinil is now off-patent with multiple generic manufacturers. Its long half-life of 40 hours and high bioavailability of 80% contribute to its efficacy. Key safety considerations include its potential for abuse and interactions with other medications.

At a glance

Generic namemodafinil
SponsorNuvo Pharms
Drug classSympathomimetic-like Agent [EPC]
TargetD(2) dopamine receptor
Therapeutic areaNeuroscience
PhaseFDA-approved
First approval1998

Mechanism of action

Mechanism of Action and Pharmacology. The precise mechanism(s) through which modafinil promotes wakefulness is unknown. Modafinil has wake-promoting actions similar to sympathomimetic agents like amphetamine and methylphenidate, although the pharmacologic profile is not identical to that of sympathomimetic amines. Modafinil has weak to negligible interactions with receptors for norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, GABA, adenosine, histamine-3, melatonin, and benzodiazepines. Modafinil also does not inhibit the activities of MAO-B or phosphodiesterases II to V. Modafinil-induced wakefulness can be attenuated by the 1-adrenergic receptor antagonist prazosin; however, modafinil is inactive in other in vitro assay systems known to be responsive to -adrenergic agonists, such as the rat vas deferens preparation. Modafinil is not direct- or indirect-acting dopamine receptor agonist. However, in vitro, modafinil binds to the dopamine transporter and inhibits dopamine reuptake. This activity ha

Approved indications

Common side effects

Drug interactions

Key clinical trials

Primary sources

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SourceUsed for
FDA labelMechanism, indications, dosing, boxed warnings, drug interactions
ClinicalTrials.govTrial enrolment, design, endpoints, results

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