Modafinil

Definition

Modafinil is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. It is primarily used to promote wakefulness and alertness in persons with narcolepsy, a condition that causes excessive sleepiness and cataplexy (episodes of sudden loss of muscle control).

Purpose

Modafinil is an improvement over amphetamines in the treatment of narcolepsy. It promotes wakefulness, but has less pronounced side effects than amphetamines. Modafinil acts to combat excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and cataplexy, the leading symptoms of narcolepsy, by stimulating sleep-suppressing peptides (orexins) in the brain.

Description

Although primarily indicated for the treatment of narcolepsy, modafinil is also used to treat some forms of

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