neomodafinil

A Brief history of Modafinil / Modalert and its uses
 

Before Modafinil there was Adrafinil. Adrafinil which was found in 1974 by Lafon Laboratories is a benzhydryl sulfinyl compound. Modafinil was the primary active compound of what Adrafinil broke up into as it metabolized in the liver, when it was being tested in 1976.

When these two substances where tested on animals they increased physical movement and the ability to remain vigilant. To see how these effective results would appear in humans firstly tests were done with both drugs on people with sleep disorder narcolepsy.

Those who suffer with the neurological sleep condition, Narcolepsy have difficulty in maintaining wakefulness. This results in random sleeping bouts during waking hours and daily sleepiness. Modafinil was put to the test in multiple double-blind placebo-controlled trials and showed to have greater scoring on many sleep tests. This included the patient-administered Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Multiple Sleep Latency test and the Maintenance of Wakefulness test

In 1986 Adrafinil became an option as a medication treating narcolepsy for France. However, Modafinil was far more effective than Adrafinil. It was also found that Modafinil could be created on its own.

Therefore in 1994 Modafinil became an official medication for treating narcolepsy in France. In 1998 the USA followed suit. Lafon laboratories who had created both drugs then stopped all manufacturing of Adrafinil. However, some laboratories still produce it.

In the USA it was tested that for patients suffering with obstructive sleep hypopnea/apnea syndrome or shit-work sleep disorder could benefit greatly from Modafinil. While it an official treatment for these disorders in the USA, in many other countries it is certified to be used for hypersomnia. Hypersomnia is a disorder less intense than narcolepsy.

People who sleep in the day time rather than at night, have night time work hours, or only go to sleep very late at night are prone to developing SWSD (Shift-work sleep disorder). Patients often suffer from insomnia when they want to sleep and extreme sleepiness when they are awake. These symptoms are directly linked to a circadian rhythm that is out of sync.

When the upper airway by the uvula, soft palate, and/or tongue is partially or completely blocked then a patient is suffering from OSAHS (Obstructive sleep hypopnea/apnea). This results in very laboured breathing (hypopnea) or breathing completely stopping (apnea). With their breathing not functioning at its full capacity these patients then suffer with intense sleepiness during the day and a lesser quality of sleep.

With intense sleepiness being one of the symptoms occurring with both disorders Modafinil has been tested to improve this symptom. For people with Obstructive sleep hypopnea/apnea the drug has seen to greatly increase Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores. For people suffering from Shift-work sleep disorder Modafinil has increased performance at work and has heightened attention. In the early 2000 the cheapest and highest quality modafinil generic Modalert was created by Sun Pharmaceuticals industries. At the moment it is the most popular generic of modafinil on the international drug market. Later Sun Pharma launched their upgraded modafinil version - Waklert (Armodafinil)
 

What is similar between Modalert vs Waklert?

With both drugs stimulating the central nervous system or more simply being analeptic compounds, they are quite similar. They are both very efficacious in treating sleep disorders such as those mentioned above. Both are available for use. What happens if to review Modalert vs Waklert?

These medications are not known as official stimulants because they do not cause the same side effects as other stimulants do. Modalert and Waklert do not increase blood pressure or heart rates. The releasing of dopamine and norepinephrine from synaptic terminals is increased with these drugs but not to the extent that medications such as amphetamines and Adderall do.

Primarily both Waklert and Modalert are said to have eugeroic effects meaning that they improve alertness and wakefulness by working on the brain’s histaminergic system. This controls your level of arousal which gives you the energy you need in the day and allows you to fall asleep in the evening.
 

How do Modalert and Waklert compare?

Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries (shorten Sun Pharma) produces both Armodafinil and Modafinil under the Indian brand names of Waklert and Modalert respectively. Both drugs are seen to be one in the same thing by many doctors.

We already know the history behind Modafinil or Provigil. It was certified in 1998 by the FDA as a prescription Schedule IV medication in the USA for treating narcolepsy. It was then certified to treat OSAHS and SWSD. While Armodafinil or Nuvigil was certified in 2007 by the FDA to treat the same disorders.

Armodafinil is just Modafinil but modified. You see Modafinil is made up of two parts of the identical molecular compound the S-Modafinil and R-Modafinil. Armodafinil only contains the R-Modafinil part of the molecular compound. This R-Modafinil is seen to be far more effective and longer-lasting. There Armodafinil is a stronger and more concentrated medication resulting in a degree of varying between the side effects of both medications.

 

What are the known Uses and Reviews for both drugs?

With either drug you take you can be expected to feel heightened alertness and clearer thought processes as well as becoming mentally energized. Focusing on your work or usual daily activities should be far easier as well as holding out longer on cognitive activities. For people with sleep disorders this medication makes sure that they can function at a heightened level of happiness, purposefully, and with greater productivity.

With Modalert offering so much relief for many symptoms that can be linked to many other disorders its use has been extended into off-label prescriptions. Doctors can write an off-label prescription if they see fit even though the FDA has not approved it. In the USA alone over 75 percent of prescribed Modafinil is speculated to be off-label. This is for conditions such as cocaine addiction, ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), fatigue, weight loss, depersonalization disorder, mood disorders, jet lag, depression, and schizophrenia.

Waklert has also been used for off-script prescriptions such as for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, Modalert still is more popular. Modalert offers less intense side-effects that the basic methylphenidate or amphetamine stimulant options.

But still the most popular use for these drugs is as nootropics to enhance your level of concentration, your ability to focus and to remember, and general ability to learn. The drugs specifically help with episodic memory and planning and executing difficult tasks.

 

How do the recommended dosages compare?

As said already in this article Waklert is more concentrated than Modalert. However this does not mean that Waklert has more potent affects than Modalert. In tests they have seen to have scored the same in efficiency.

For Modalert if someone is using it to treat OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) then the recommended dose is 200mg in the morning. If it is being uses to treat shift-work sleep disorder, then 200mg one hour before their shift starts is the recommendation.

For treating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in an off-label manner then using Modalert between 100mg to 200mg once in the morning is common usage.

While there are 50mg options, 150mg tablets are usually the prescribed dosage for Waklert Armodafinil. The same dose of one tablet in the morning for OSA applies as well as an hour before the shift for shift-work sleep disorder. Except that single tablet is only 150mg.
 

How do you consume modalert and waklert?

Swallowing Modalert or Waklert down with a glass of water should do the trick. If you are uncertain follow the dosage and intervals of consumption that your doctor has prescribed you. It is not wise to deviate from your prescription and carry on taking the medication until your doctor say you should not continue. Pharmacists should also give to you a med guide to carefully follow.

Taking double doses or extra doses is not advised either. Try to take a missed does as soon as possible but not too close to the next prescribed dosage. Remember keep the medication away from kids and room temperature is the correct storage temperature. Do not keep expired medication either.

 

Modalert vs Waklert: safety and side effects

There are a few known side effects for both drugs. However only about 5 percent of users experience these side effects and both medications have equal prevalence. Waklert could be seen to have a higher occurrence of side effects but there Is no research to support this yet.

The known side effects of Waklert are: dizziness, headaches, trouble sleeping, and nausea. For Modalert side effects are known to be as follows: trouble sleeping, back pain, diarrhoea, nausea, upset stomach, anxiety, a stuffy nose, dizziness, and headaches.

Anyone when taking new medication needs an adjusting period. Therefore, you might experience some side effects in the very beginning. These normally die down after a good few weeks however contact your medical practitioner immediately if these side effects continue.

The most well-known side effects of both drugs is actually struggling to fall asleep again. This occurs when patients decide to take the medication after noon. These medications can live up to 12-15 hours in the body, so you need to take them early. Otherwise it will be expected for you to stay up to all hours of the night.

These drugs are seen as the safer alternative to people suffering with ADD and ADHD due to the fact that unlike Adderall or Ritalin they do not come with cardiovascular side effects.

Like with all medications there have been some rare, very intense side effects experienced by patients in both Modalert and Waklert. This includes systemic symptoms, toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), eosinophilia, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

This then results in the following symptoms:

  • Trouble swallowing

  • Serious rash

  • Allergic reaction involving the liver or blood cells

  • Mouth Sores

  • Swelling of the lips, legs, throat, mouth or tongue

  • Hives

  • Blistering and/or peeling of the skin

  • Fever

  • Dark urine

  • Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes

  • Shortness of Breath

A reminder that these side effects are extremely rare. Studies suggest that these serious side effects are only present in people who genetically have a predisposition to developing these symptoms after taking Modafinil or Armodafinil.

Remember in the US these medications need to be prescribed to you by a doctor. And if you have any of these symptoms remember to contact them. These drugs are however not allowed for paediatric use by the FDA however some doctors still might give a prescription to teenagers or older children.

In research done no one experienced any withdrawal issues with Modalert or Waklert. However as expected the sleepiness did return.