(R)-(−)-modafinil (armodafinil; top)
(S)-(+)-modafinil (bottom) |
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Clinical data | |
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Trade names | Provigil, others (see below) |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a602016 |
License data | |
Pregnancy category |
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Dependence liability |
Psychological: Very low Physical: Negligible |
Addiction liability |
Very low to low |
Routes of administration |
Oral (tablets) |
ATC code | N06BA07 (WHO) |
Legal status | |
Legal status |
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Pharmacokinetic data | |
Bioavailability | Not determined due to the aqueous insolubility |
Protein binding | 62% |
Metabolism | Hepatic (primarily via amide hydrolysis;CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP3A4, CYP3A5 involved |
Biological half-life | 15 hours (R-enantiomer), 4 hours (S-enantiomer) |
Excretion | Urine (80%) |
Identifiers | |
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Synonyms | CRL-40476; Diphenylmethylsulfinylacetamide |
CAS Number | 68693-11-8 |
PubChem (CID) | 4236 |
IUPHAR/BPS | 7555 |
DrugBank | DB00745 |
ChemSpider | 4088 |
UNII | R3UK8X3U3D |
KEGG | D01832 |
ChEBI | CHEBI:31859 |
ChEMBL | CHEMBL1373 |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.168.719 |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C15H15NO2S |
Molar mass | 273.35 g/mol |
3D model (Jmol) | Interactive image |
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(what is this?) |
Modafinil (INN,USAN, BAN, JAN) is a wakefulness-promoting agent (or eugeroic) used for treatment of disorders such as narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, and excessive daytime sleepiness associated with obstructive sleep apnea. It has also seen widespread off-label use as a purported cognition-enhancing agent. In English-speaking countries it is sold under the brand names Alertec, Modavigil, and Provigil. In the United States modafinil is classified as a schedule IV controlled substance and restricted in availability and usage, due to concerns about possible addiction potential. In most other countries it is a prescription drug but not otherwise legally restricted.
Although the mechanism of action of modafinil was initially unknown, it now appears that the drug acts as a selective, relatively weak, atypical dopamine reuptake inhibitor. However, it appears that other additional mechanisms may also be at play.
Modafinil is a wakefulness-promoting agent (or eugeroic) used for treatment of narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, and excessive daytime sleepiness associated with obstructive sleep apnea.
Because of the risk for development of skin or hypersensitivity reactions and serious adverse psychiatric reactions, the European Medicines Agency has recommended that new patient prescriptions should only be to treat sleepiness associated with narcolepsy.