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modafinil (M1, M2, M4)
Modafinil promotes wakefulness by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine activity in the brain, particularly in the hypothalamus and prefrontal cortex.
Modafinil promotes wakefulness by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine activity in the brain, particularly in the hypothalamus and prefrontal cortex. Used for Narcolepsy, Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-associated excessive daytime sleepiness, Shift work sleep disorder.
At a glance
| Generic name | modafinil (M1, M2, M4) |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Provigil |
| Sponsor | University of California, Los Angeles |
| Drug class | Eugeroic (wakefulness-promoting agent) |
| Target | Dopamine transporter (DAT); norepinephrine transporter (NET); orexin system modulation |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Neurology / Sleep Medicine |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Modafinil is a eugeroic (wakefulness-promoting) agent that works through multiple mechanisms including inhibition of dopamine reuptake, enhancement of noradrenergic signaling, and modulation of orexin/hypocretin neurons. The exact mechanism is not fully elucidated, but it does not act as a traditional stimulant like amphetamines. It selectively enhances alertness and cognitive function while maintaining a lower abuse potential than classical stimulants.
Approved indications
- Narcolepsy
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-associated excessive daytime sleepiness
- Shift work sleep disorder
- Fatigue associated with multiple sclerosis
- Cognitive enhancement in healthy individuals (off-label)
Common side effects
- Headache
- Nausea
- Nervousness/anxiety
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
- Rash (including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, rare)
Key clinical trials
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- modafinil (M1, M2, M4) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- modafinil (M1, M2, M4) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- University of California, Los Angeles portfolio CI