Modafinil increases alertness andconcentration

Modafinil is a mind and mood enhancing stimulant that is notaddictive, has no side effects and does not affect sleep.

Modafinil is an eugeroic drug, (which simply means ‘goodarousal’). This unique class of drug contains only two at present, Adrafinil and Modafinil.

Modafinil is a memory-improving and mood-brightening psychostimulant.It enhances wakefulness and vigilance, but its pharmacological profile isnotably different from the amphetamines, methylphenidate (Ritalin) or cocaine.

The basis of its uniqueness lies in its ability to stimulate onlywhen stimulation is required. As a result the ‘highs and lows’ associated withother stimulants such as amphetamine are absent. Modafinil does not bring aboutthe anxiety, agitation and insomnia associated with these more familiarstimulants. Normal sleep patterns are not affected, nor is Modafinil addictiveor accompanied by the number of side effects present with currently prescribedstimulants.

Modafinil induces wakefulness in part by its action in theanterior hypothalamus. It appears to only stimulate alpha-1 brain receptorsthat are responsible for the uptake of nor-adrenaline. Its dopamine-releasingaction is weak and dose-dependent, making the chances of a euphoric response,dose-escalation or becoming tolerant to the drug very unlikely.

Modafinil is proving clinically useful in the treatment ofnarcolepsy, a neurological disorder marked by uncontrollable attacks of daytimesleepiness. Experimentally, Modafinil is also used in the treatment ofAlzheimer's disease, depression, attention-deficit disorder, myotonic dystrophy,multiple sclerosis-induced fatigue, post-anaesthesia grogginess, cognitiveimpairment in schizophrenia, spasticity associated with cerebral palsy,age-related memory decline, idiopathic hypersomnia, jet-lag and everydaycat-napping.