Modafinil vs. Armodafinil: What’s The Difference?
With brands like Modafinil and Armodafinil, it’s hard to know what you’re getting.
These drugs both seem similar, but this isn’t always true when looking at their differences; one may last longer or cause fewer side effects than the other (or even have similar effects).
Who knows, though?
Maybe your choice of nootropic doesn’t really matter as much in determining how effective they are!
Both smart drugs seem to have a very similar name, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they are created equal. Yet despite their similarities, one can be better than another based on different outcomes or circumstances that may arise during use, such as duration/side effects, etc. This leaves us stuck with several questions:
What differences lie between Modafinil and Armodafinil when considering effectiveness in cognitive enhancement?
Does one last longer than the other?
What kinds of side effects can you expect from one versus the other? How helpful are they when it comes to treating disorders like narcolepsy or shift work disorder?
An introduction to Modafinil and Armodafinil
Allegedly a dopamine reuptake inhibitor, Modafinil/Armodafinil, has been shown to increase alertness, reduce fatigue, and enhance cognition by increasing attention and memory. Modafinil is considered a central nervous system stimulant that works independently of how you sleep or your lifestyle habits. Since Modafinil does not significantly affect the central nervous system, it doesn’t cause jitters as other stimulants do.
What is Modafinil?
Modafinil is a medication prescribed to treat sleeping disorders like shift work disorder (SWD), narcolepsy, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It’s also used off-label for cognitive performance.
Researchers think Modafinil works by increasing dopamine in the brain. It’s also been reported to inhibit the dopamine reuptake, resulting in higher dopamine concentrations. These high dopamine levels may help you stay awake and feel more alert.
You can read the full Guide for Modafinil here.
Modafinil Mechanism Of Action
This might seem like a subtle difference, but the fact that only the active R-Modafinil is present in Armodafinil means its pharmacological effects are much more selective and don’t impact other neurotransmitter systems as much.
What is Armodafinil?
Armodafinil is a newer version of Modafinil. It’s made by the same company, Cephalon Inc., with the only difference being the inactive ingredients dye and film coating.
Armodafinil also has a slightly different molecular structure than regular Modafinil, making it more potent. It’s often called a “waking drug” or “anti-drowsy” medication. It was approved by the FDA in 2007 as Narcoxia and then as Armodafinil for treating sleep disorders like SWD, narcolepsy, and OSA. You can read the full Guide for Armodafinil here.
Armodafinil Mechanism Of Action
Both Modafinil and Armodafinil are used to help promote wakefulness in individuals who find themselves excessively tired during the day due to sleep disorders like narcolepsy, shift work disorder (SWD), or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). They are both members of the eugeroic class - meaning ‘good arousal’ - and work by stimulating the hypothalamic histamine system and blocking dopamine and orexin’s reuptake. However, whereas Modafinil is a racemic mixture (meaning it contains both R-Modafinil and S-Modafinil), Armodafinil is just the pure R-enantiomer.
Specificity Of Armodafinil And Modafinil
A study found that Armodafinil was actually around 3 times ‘cleaner’ than Modafinil when it came to reducing specific markers of orexin neuron activity at doses between 25-100mg.
Significant drowsiness can be caused by sleep disorders such as narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), or shift work disorder. These conditions can be treated by taking medications such as Nuvigil (Armodafinil or Generic version of Armodafinil-Waklert) or Provigil (Modafinil or Generic version of Nodafinil-Modalert), which promote wakefulness.
Narcolepsy, on the other hand, is a neurological disorder that causes your brain to involuntarily and unpredictably switch between states of consciousness. This can cause excessive sleepiness during the day and even lead to temporary paralysis while falling asleep or waking up. Modafinil and Armodafinil work by increasing concentrations of certain natural chemicals in the brain - including histamine, dopamine, orexin-A, orexin-B, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and serotonin - which are all heavily involved in promoting wakefulness.
The primary difference between Modafinil and Armodafinil is that Armodafinil is just the pure R-enantiomer of Modafinil, meaning it has a higher specificity for its desired action. Armodafinil doesn’t impact other neurotransmitter systems as much as Modafinil, which means it’s less likely to cause significant side effects.
Longer Half-Life And Fewer Side Effects?
In a study in rats, the half-life of Armodafinil was found to be 15.9 hours - a little bit longer than the Modafinil half-life of 11.6 hours. This might not seem like a big difference, but when you take into account that it means less Armodafinil is needed each day, it could add up to significant cost savings for some users.
A big benefit of Armodafinil is that its longer half-life means it’s only taken once per day. In contrast, Modafinil needs to be taken twice daily, which some individuals find inconvenient.
It seems that the primary reason for this difference in half-lives is down to metabolism. Modafinil has a much higher first-pass liver metabolism rate than Armodafinil, meaning it gets broken down on the first pass through your liver before ever getting any further action on other parts of your body.
Modafinil vs Armodafinil: Similarities
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The same mechanism of action
Modafinil and Armodafinil both produce wakefulness by way of interaction with the Orexin A and B neurons in your hypothalamus, which triggers a chain reaction that works to increase attention, memory, cognition, and motivation. This means they can both treat similar disorders such as narcolepsy, SWD, and OSAS.
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Similar effectiveness
Statistically speaking, both Modafinil and Armodafinil are equally as effective at treating disorders such as narcolepsy, OSAS, and SWD. This isn’t to say that one is more potent than the other (although clinical trials show that Armodafinil is slightly more effective), but it does seem to be a case of 1 + 1 = 2.
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Improve memory and learning
Recent studies have shown that Modafinil can significantly increase working memory in sleep-deprived individuals. Like Armodafinil, Modafinil has also been shown to boost focus, concentration, energy, motivation, and mood over the short term.
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Proven safety
One of the major benefits of both Modafinil and Armodafinil is that they are well-tolerated in most patients. Both will treat your sleep disorder without interfering with normal brain function, meaning you can still carry out complex tasks (such as driving) while taking either medication.
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Cognitive enhancement
Although the functional consequences of Modafinil and Armodafinil are less clear than their effects on sleepiness, both medications have been found to enhance performance in healthy individuals. This means that taking either medication can improve memory, learning, focus, concentration, attention, motivation, reaction time, and creativity.
The only thing that these medications won’t do is make you smarter!
Like any other brain-enhancing stimulant, your cognition will return to normal levels as soon as you stop using Modafinil or Armodafinil.
Modafinil vs Armodafinil: Differences
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Side Effects
Although both Modafinil and Armodafinil are well-tolerated by most patients, Armodafinil isn’t free from side effects. The most commonly reported side effects include headache, dizziness, anxiety, nausea, nervousness, and insomnia.
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Dosage differences
Although 1mg of either medication can be highly effective, Armodafinil tends to produce more consistent results at lower dosages. Armodafinil is available as a 150mg tablet, whereas Modafinil is usually dosed at 100mg - 200mg per serving.
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Interaction with other drugs
Armodafinil doesn’t seem to have any notable interactions with other medications, but it might interact with certain supplements and OTC products. Modafinil can interact with a range of medications, dietary supplements, and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. If you are taking another medication or supplement, be sure to check whether they will react before trying either medication.
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Half-life
The half-life of Modafinil is approximately 12 hours, whereas the half-life of Armodafinil is only 15 hours. Some people may find this inconvenient, as it makes it more difficult to calculate daily dosage.
Side effects and safety profile
In general, both Modafinil and Armodafinil are considered safe medications. They have been around for a long time and have a solid safety record. That being said, some rare side-effects can include:
Modafinil
Anxiety, dry mouth, nausea, diarrhoea, dizziness, stomach pain, loss of appetite, or headaches.
Armodafinil
Back pain, chills, fever, depression, headache, mood swings, sleeping problems (insomnia), vomiting.
If you experience any strange symptoms while taking either medication, it is best to stop treatment and consult your doctor immediately.
Safety precautions
These medications should only be used when prescribed by your doctor. If you consider taking either medication, remember to stop taking any other prescription drugs without speaking with your doctor first. Also, make sure that you carefully follow all instructions provided with the medication.
Modafinil and Armodafinil should be taken in the morning for SWD/narcolepsy (1 hour before breakfast) or in the afternoon for OSA ( 1 hour before lunch). You can take both medications 6-7 hours apart. Make sure you don’t drink any alcohol while on these medications, as it may increase sleepiness.
Conclusion - Modafinil vs. Armodafinil: Which Nootropic Is Better?
So which medication should you choose? Well, as we have seen above, both medications have pretty different side effect profiles and half-lives. They also differ slightly in potency.
Since both medications are very effective and carry a low risk for side effects, you probably won’t see a big difference between using Modafinil or Armodafinil to help you stay awake. However, some people may find that the differing half-lives can make Armodafinil more useful. In this case, either medication will do the job - but Armodafinil will keep working for longer throughout your day!
“Modafinil is a WONDER DRUG in the use of depression. I have suffered for years with depression and never with any relief from the mainstream anti-depressants. Either the side effects were intolerable, or the medicine just didn’t work. Within 3 days of taking Modafinil, I was the happiest, most productive I had been in a year. The first 2 days I was still really sleepy, and the 3rd day, a little hyper, but after that day I have felt EXCELLENT. I don’t have anxiety attacks anymore and I get a full night of “good” sleep and wake up feeling extremely refreshed and I am happy again. I was on my couch for a straight 6 months sleeping and crying until I started this medicine. It literally saved my life.”
“I take a prodrug of modafinil called adrafnil but has similar effects, I feel energetic, productive, smart and speedy. This drug works wonders for depression and has made me feel euphoric. I recommend modafinil to anyone facing concentration and depression problems. I started a new job and have A’s in school.”
Modafinil is a WONDER DRUG in the use of depression. I have suffered for years with depression and never with any relief from the mainstream anti-depressants. Either the side effects were intolerable, or the medicine just didn’t work. Within 3 days of taking Provigil, I was the happiest, most productive I had been in a year. The first 2 days I was still really sleepy, and the 3rd day, a little hyper, but after that day I have felt EXCELLENT. I don’t have anxiety attacks anymore and I get a full night of “good” sleep and wake up feeling extremely refreshed and I am happy again. I was on my couch for a straight 6 months sleeping and crying until I started this medicine. It literally saved my life.”
“My whole life I struggled to with focus, energy and confidence. It took great effort to pay attention and I struggled to complete things. Teachers, family and friends told me I was a daydreamer, an underachiever and lazy. I felt shame that I was not good enough and must just try harder. Then I was prescribed Modafinil at age 40 and was able to focus, had energy and social confidence. When visiting museums I was unable to focus on exhibitions for more than 2 minutes, I now spend a whole days museums reading everything! I’ve been discriminated for being forgetful, distracted and underachieving. Now I’m succeeding in a new career, communicate effectively and no longer feel shame. Unfortunately here in the U.K. doctors it is so hard to get a prescription. Shouldn’t I have the right to a drug which makes me equal to my peers, able to reach my dreams and contribute to society. My greatest fear is access to obtaining it being blocked.”
“Modafinil has been a miracle for me. I suffered with chronic fatigue syndrome for 20 or so years, usually accompanied by severe depression. My doctor called one day and said his two other Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients has had remarkable success with this medicine and he wanted me to try it. Prior to trying it, my depression had lifted, but the fatigue always remained. Within a very short time, the fatigue lifted and NEVER returned. I experienced not a single side effect, and I have developed no tolerance problems with it. As a result, I have been using it successfully now for 13 years! My depression comes and goes, and most medications have proved useless over time, but the fatigue…. it’s gone!”
“From 1st tablet of modafinil I felt a difference. I was about to work all night l was feeling fatigue ,sleepy. Always when I work night I struggle against fatigue and sleep. This night after taking modafinil every thing changed. No fatigue no sleepy , I feel super active WOW.”
“Modafinil saved my life! I have had hypersomnolence my entire life. I could easily sleep 4 days straight and wake up confused, dehydration, and guilty for missing my children’s school performances, graduations, holidays, vacations etc. @ almost 37 y/o I was finally diagnosed and prescribed modafinil. From day one I woke up @ 5am. I cleaned my house, got my hair and nails done, took my kids to and from school, scheduled appts that I should’ve schedule months ago, cooked dinner, and had a wonderful outlook. I went to sleep around 10pm. The next day I woke up @ 5am.and stay awake, happy and productive all day! This has continued from day one!!!!! This med is magic for me. I’m so grateful. My only wish is that I had been dx’d 30 years ago!”
Suffered from severe narcolepsy since early morning for many years, nothing could help, I had to stop driving, I had been sacked from numerous jobs due to sleepiness on the job, Modafinil changed my life from day 1. I am just awake, not agitated or restless, just awake.
I have been taking modafinil, slso known as Provigil, for greater than 10 years for the fatifue that is part of multiple sclerosis. It helps me get through each day. It is resticted by my insurer (Medicare Part D thru Humana) and they make itas difficult as possible to fill the script. They are requiring my neurologist to file a prior authorization which is the insurer’s way of hoping you will give up. However, persist! Threaten a Uniform Insurers Practices Action suit against them. Usually, that will put you through to a person with some authority.
“I was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder back in 2019 and I’ve tried every medication under the sun with no success. Then in 2020 my doctor tried me on Modafinil as add on to my other medications, I was really surprised at the effectiveness of modafinil. On my depressed cycle it made me get off the sofa and lessened my depression. During my mania cycle I would not have to take Modafinil. It is definitely a medication worth trying as an add to as add on.”
Positive Modafinil experience. I’ve been suffering from feelings of lethargy and sleepiness for years, until discovering Modafinil. My quality of life has improved no end!
I used to have problem falling asleep throughout the day. I wanted to make sure I could stay awake, especially with my daughter’s wedding. I picked up modafinil and I’ve been alert and focused ever since.
Modafinil boost my brain. I was alert and didn’t sleep to continue study and focus. Will buy again at this place
My depression and fatigue had taken over my life. Upon starting AA, Modafinil helped me with the prior anxieties that had led to my substance abuse and helped me find the root of what was causing me to drink. Modafinil helped save my life and has helped in my recovery process.
I make more money now than ever before, thanks to the Modafinil. How can a pill help me make money? Because now that I’m so focused and can retain information better, I’m receiving promotions and bonuses left and right at work.
If your daily tasks are repetitive and boring, try Modafinil! It helps me to be less likely to procrastinate at crucial times – definitely giving a positive Modafinil review all-around! Get stimulated with Modafinil!
I’m not normally a pill-popper and was worried this stuff would have me wired, but it kept me alert when I needed to be and I had a proper night’s sleep afterward. Perfect.
Used to hate my job until modafinil. At the moment I’m temping and my job involves lots of repetitive tasks. It was really getting me down. If I was to offer a modafinil review I’d say it makes boring work more bearable.
For anyone who has ever struggled staying awake, I present to them modafinil. Stay focused, awake and alert for the rest of life, all because of modafinil.
It really helps my exhaustion caused from MS. You have to find the right dosage that works for you; I discovered 200mg of Modafinal keeps me moving and accomplishing tasks all day—very productive.
Decided to start taking modafinil because my daily tasks are so boring I began making mistakes. Now I can get on with my working day – if I had to leave a modafinil review I’d say great for menial tasks!
My job is so boring, but now I can easily do double shifts and I work much better. In terms of a Modafinil review, I’d say take it! My bank balance is much healthier now I can work longer hours.
As a recovering addict to methamphetamine, this has been a life-saving solution. I can achieve the desired effects from Modafinil that I needed. It’s not for everyday use, but in the correct dosage has relieved my symptoms of withdrawal, depression, and anxiety.