Compound Profile
Modafinil
Compound profile with evidence, safety, and practical fit.
Safety context — Current U. Details
- Evidence
- Limited evidence
- Typical onset
- Varies by prep
- Safety rating
- Safety context: Use caution
- Best for
- Wake Promoting Central Nervous System Activity, Dopamine Transporter Related Signaling
Controlled medication safety warning
U.S. Schedule IV controlled substance. This research-only reference has not completed profile-level contraindication, interaction, or dosing review, so blank safety fields must not be interpreted as evidence of safety.
- Use only in lawful prescribing and dispensing contexts under qualified clinical supervision.
- Do not use this page to start, stop, change, share, source, or dose a controlled medication.
- Consult the current product-specific prescribing information for boxed warnings, contraindications, interactions, and monitoring requirements.
Safety
Safety & Cautions
Current U. S.
High caution
Caution level: High. Multiple caution categories apply, or the record uses avoid/contraindication language.
- Interaction-AwareMedication or interaction context is explicitly noted.
Evidence Summary
Profile-wide ·C LimitedEvidence lens
Read as directional context, not settled clinical proof.
Human clinical evidence: Present in source signals
Mechanistic / preclinical: Mechanism mapped
Research maturity: Emerging research — main contexts: Wake Promoting Central Nervous System Activity · Dopamine Transporter Related Signaling
Safety boundary: Safety note available — Current U.
Confidence estimate based on the design quality and consistency of published clinical trials.
Modafinil has a limited evidence rating.
Grade C: Limited Evidence
Evaluation of methodological rigor, population reach, and evidence alignment.
- Design Match
- Meta analysis
- Risk of Bias
- Low
- Consistency
- Consistent
How evidence grades work
Each grade reflects the strength and consistency of published human evidence — not marketing claims. Grades are based on study count, design quality, effect size, consistency, and recency.
- Strong
- Multiple RCTs, consistent direction, adequate effect size
- Moderate
- Some RCTs or consistent observational data in humans
- Preliminary / Mixed
- Animal or in-vitro only, or conflicting human data
- Traditional / Theoretical
- Traditional use only; no controlled human trials
Clinical Study Summaries (4)3 human evidence sources · 1 human trial · Participant totals not consistently reported · Consistency not yet classifiable
Filter by study class
Showing 4 of 4 studies.
What the evidence actually shows
This table contains 4 structured sources, including 3 human evidence sources; 1 is a human trial.
| Study | Design | N | Dose | Duration | Population | Outcome | Result & magnitude | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Background | Meta-analysis Statistically combines results from multiple eligible studies; confidence still depends on the quality, consistency, and directness of those studies. | — | — | — | — | — | A 2010 systematic review and meta-analysis of nine randomized trials involving 1,054 participants found modafinil improved multiple excessive-daytime-sleepiness measures versus placebo in narcolepsy, while not improving cataplexy frequency. | PubMed → |
Background | Meta-analysis Statistically combines results from multiple eligible studies; confidence still depends on the quality, consistency, and directness of those studies. | — | — | — | — | — | A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis found short-term improvement in Maintenance of Wakefulness Test and Epworth Sleepiness Scale outcomes with modafinil versus placebo in adults with narcolepsy. | PubMed → |
Background | Randomized controlled trial Randomly assigns participants to interventions or controls, reducing many sources of bias when the trial is conducted well. | — | — | — | — | — | A three-month randomized placebo-controlled trial of 209 patients with shift work sleep disorder found modest improvement in nighttime sleep latency, clinical symptoms, and attention measures with modafinil, while residual sleepiness persisted. | PubMed → |
Background | Other / unclear The study design is not yet classified clearly enough to infer its place in the evidence hierarchy. | — | — | — | — | — | A current U.S. DailyMed label indicates modafinil to improve wakefulness in adults with excessive sleepiness associated with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, or shift work disorder; in OSA it treats excessive sleepiness rather than the underlying obstruction. | Source → |
Dosing
- No standardized dose
- No standardized dose is established for this ingredient in our source data. Preparations differ widely, so follow the standardization on the product you actually have and speak to a clinician before starting.
Botanical Context
Source botanicals and comparison guides related to Modafinil.
Compare & Sourcing
Compare side-by-side tradeoffs or verify active marker guidelines.
Sourcing options disabled for safety
Direct product recommendations and affiliate links are suppressed for this compound due to its high caution or needs-review safety classification.
Evaluate the safety checks, contraindications, and potential medication interactions above under clinician supervision before use.
Safety first · Harm reduction
This information is educational and not medical advice. Start low, avoid risky combinations, and consult a licensed clinician before making health decisions—especially if you use medications, have diagnosed conditions, or are pregnant/breastfeeding.
Learn how we evaluate confidence, safety, and intensity on the methodology page.
Founder & Head Researcher · Oak Ridge, TN · Last reviewed August 2026
Editorial Review
Checked against primary sources, cited evidence, and contraindication language before publication. Evidence claims, safety language, and affiliate modules are reviewed independently. Not personal medical advice.
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