Modafinil
A tablet that helps people stay awake. Used for excessive daytime sleepiness from narcolepsy, sleep apnoea or shift work.
Brand names
- Modavigil, and generic modafinil brands
How it works
Exactly how modafinil works isn’t fully known. It raises dopamine in the brain by blocking its reuptake and boosts other wake-promoting signals. It causes less of a “high” than amphetamines.
Used for
- Narcolepsy (TGA-approved)
- Sleepiness in obstructive sleep apnoea despite CPAP, alongside CPAP (TGA-approved)
- Moderate to severe shift work disorder, when other measures haven’t worked (TGA-approved)
- Off-label (specialist use): e.g. fatigue in multiple sclerosis. Not approved for boosting study or work performance
Side effects
How often, from the official product information. Bold = serious.
Very common more than 1 in 10
- Headache
- Nausea
Common 1 in 10 to 1 in 100
- Nervousness or anxiety
- Trouble sleeping
- Dizziness or sleepiness
- Low mood
- Pins and needles
- Back pain
- Runny nose, sore throat or flu-like symptoms
- Diarrhoea, constipation, indigestion or dry mouth
- Less appetite
- Fast heartbeat, palpitations or flushing
- Raised blood pressure
- Chest pain
- Abnormal liver tests
Rare 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 10,000
- Agitation, aggression, psychosis, mania or suicidal thoughts
- Tremor or unusual movements
- Rash, acne, eczema or itch
Very rare fewer than 1 in 10,000
- Serious skin reactions (SJS, TEN, DRESS)
- Anaphylaxis or angioedema
- Multi-organ allergic reaction, seizures
- Heart rhythm problems or reduced heart blood flow
- Sweating, swelling
Get help urgently if
- Any rash, especially with blistering, peeling, mouth sores or fever: stop and seek help the same day
- Swelling of the face or throat, or trouble breathing. Call 000
- Chest pain, a racing heartbeat, hallucinations or thoughts of self-harm
Good to know
- Makes hormonal contraception less effective (pill, implant, injection, hormonal IUD). Use another method during treatment and for 2 months after stopping.
- Not for use in pregnancy.
- Interacts with some medicines (e.g. ciclosporin, warfarin). Check with your pharmacist.
- Doesn’t replace sleep or CPAP. Don’t drive while sleepy.
- Can be habit-forming in some people. Blood pressure is checked during treatment.
Information only. Not a recommendation or endorsement of any product. Whether a medicine suits you depends on your health and other medicines, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist. In an emergency, call 000.
More information
maladywise.com/drugs/modafinil/