Modafinil Mechanism Of Action: Its Effects On The Brain 14 Aug 2023 By Agnes Smith | Categories: Modvigil Modafinil's Mechanism of Action involves three steps- Absorption, Metabolism, and Excretion. With the onset of 30 minutes, Modafinil reaches its peak plasma concentration in 1 to 2 hours. It further elevates the secretion of neurotransmitters, including dopamine, histamine, and orexin, to produce its cognitive and wakefulness-promoting effects. People are curious to know how Modafinil works after learning that it acts as a stimulant and helps people stay awake and alert. This factual description lays out the working mechanism of Modafinil, along with its long-lasting effects on your brain and body. What Is Modafinil? Modafinil is a novel wakefulness-promoting agent that falls under Schedule IV Controlled Substances. Professor Michel Jouvet and L. Lafon Laboratories developed the drug in France in 1974. The use of Modafinil in the USA was approved by the FDA in 1998. The medication is sold under the brand name “Modvigil.” It is a prescription medicine that helps treat Narcolepsy, Sleep Apnea, and other Shift Work Disorders. In addition, the drug shows initial promise for a wide variety of off-label indications and treatments, such as depression, ADHD, fatigue, cognitive enhancement, etc. Modafinil is considered a mixture of the R-enantiomer and the S-enantiomer. The chemical formula of Modafinil is C15H15NO2S. The chemical name for modafinil is 2-[(phenylmethyl)sulfinyl]acetamide. The molecular weight of this compound is 273.35. How Does Modafinil Work? The Mechanism of Action of Modafinil includes inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine. The drug binds to the dopamine reuptake pump, which leads to an increase in extracellular dopamine. Modafinil activates Glutamatergic circuits while inhibiting Gaba [1]. Modafinil comes with a complex profile of neurochemical and behavioral effects. The pharmacological profile of Modafinil is different from Psychostimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate. Modafinil makes chemical messengers like monoamines, serotonin, adenosine, etc., in the spaces available in the brain. Modafinil affects the hypothalamus, amygdala, and hippocampus in the brain resulting in reduced sleepiness. Modafinil has been found to be a drug that is well tolerated with a low rate of Abuse. Overall, Modafinil is an excellent agent for the remediation of cognitive dysfunction in neurocognitive disorders [2]. The Pharmacokinetics of Modafinil is categorized into three steps. Absorption of Modafinil Modafinil gets absorbed after Oral administration. The drug is insoluble in an aqueous solution, hence cannot be administered intravenously [3]. Metabolism of Modafinil It is metabolized in the liver. The drug undergoes hepatic metabolism through multiple pathways, including CYP3A4. After the process, 80% of the dose is recovered in the Urine in the form of Metabolites [3]. Elimination The elimination process takes place in the kidney and is excreted through the Urine. The Elimination of the half-life of a single dose is considered to take approximately 15 hours [3]. Modafinil increases the dopamine level in the human brain by blocking the dopamine transporters. How Much Time Does Modafinil Take To Work? Modafinil works within 30 minutes of consumption. It might also range up to 1 hour of consumption for some people. There are certain factors that might affect how quickly the drug works. Age, Overall health, weight, and diet. Generally, people who are overweight experience the results a bit slower than people who are less overweight [4]. Modafinil's peak plasma concentration is reached within 2-4 hours of consumption. It might be delayed by approximately 1 hour if consumed with food [5]. Half-Life Of Modafinil- How Does It Affect The Time Of Action Of The Nootropic The half-life of Modafinil generally ranges from 12-15 hours of consumption. Modafinil, like other drugs, is also metabolized in the liver, and the inactive metabolites are excreted through Urine. Usually, the drug requires multiple half-lives to be alleviated. The duration of the drug's stay depends on various factors like age, tolerance capacity, medical history, etc. [6]. How Long Does Modafinil Stay In Our System? Modafinil dose can last between 16-22 hours. The user must also be aware that it can also stay in your system for up to 4 days. As the compound remains in our system for a few days, the effects on different parts of our brain might vary. How long does Modafinil stay in the Blood? The effect of Modafinil might last for about 1-2 hours after consumption. How long does Modafinil stay in the urine? Metabolites are present in the Urine and last up to 30 hours after ingestion. However, your size, weight, and age might affect the time [7]. How To Make Modafinil Work Better? Here are some quick and easy tips for Modafinil to make it work better: 1. Drink Plenty of Water- Just like food, water is also extremely necessary to stay hydrated. It’s necessary to take plenty of water along with Modafinil to avoid most of the side effects and to keep hydrated. 2. The Perfect Dose- The perfect dose exists only with the recommendation made by your doctor. Depending on certain situations, like age, gender, and medical conditions, the perfect doses differ for different people. 3. Attention to tolerance capacity- Modafinil is a strong prescription drug. It is important to be aware of the tolerance level if consumed for an extended period of time. 4. Combination with coffee- Many people consider caffeine to be a nootropic itself. The combination of Modafinil and caffeine is heavenly. You can easily drink 1-2 cups of coffee after a meal to enhance the effects of Modafinil and cognition [8]. Clinical Uses of Modafinil Modafinil is a wakefulness-inducing compound that is prescribed for the treatment of excessive sleepiness, a condition called Narcolepsy, Obstructive Sleep apnea, and other Shift Work Disorders. The drug was found to be fairly efficacious in large studies of ADHD, depression, bipolar disorder, fatigue, etc. Modafinil has been found to improve mood and cognition. The drug is also effective in increasing your focus, memory, and concentration power. It also helps you to lose weight due to its appetite-suppressing quality. So, if you are looking forward to trying Modafinil for any of these benefits, you can give Modvigil 200 mg tablets a try. Since Modvigil is formulated with Modafinil as its active compound, it showcases similar efficacy and potency. Online pills store is a trusted pharmacy offering affordable Modvigil 200 mg pills with free shipping. However, you must consult with your doctor before taking this medicine. Precautionary Measures As the famous saying goes, “Prevention is better than Cure.” There are certain precautionary measures that are to be followed while administering Modafinil. Some of them are listed below: Share your medical history with your health experts before consuming the drug, especially if you have any heart problems, high blood pressure, or liver and kidney issues. Consult with your doctor if you are allergic. There might be certain ingredients in the medicine that cause an allergy. Do not do any activity that might require instant reactions, such as driving. Avoid alcohol, as it might make you feel more dizzy. Let your doctor know if you are in the pregnancy phase and avoid using Contraceptives. You should let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding. Ingestion of the drug at this time might harm your baby. Modafinil Side Effects Along with the required effects on your body, a medicine might also cause some serious unwanted effects. Some of the health risk factors associated with Modafinil are listed below: The effects might be more or less common in nature. Let’s take a look at both divisions. Less Common Effects 1. Memory problems 2. Pain in the chest 3. Breathing Problems 4. Black tarry stools 5. Rapid mood change 6. Trouble Urinating. 7. Unusual tiredness or weakness 8. Sore- throat 9. Mental depression 10. Chills or fever. More Common Effects of Modafinil 1. Nausea 2. Anxiety 3. Headache 4. Nervousness Modafinil Mechanism of Action: Conclusion Modafinil is the first choice for most Nootropic users because of its safety profile and effectiveness, and it is widely popular in the market today. This Nootropic mainly works by affecting the chemical messengers or neurotransmitters in the brain. But, before taking this Nootropic, it is advised to consult your healthcare provider.
