To improve wakefulness in patients with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) associated with narcolepsy.
The exact mechanism of action is unclear, although <i>in vitro</i> studies have shown it to inhibit the reuptake of dopamine by binding to the dopamine reuptake pump, and lead to an increase in extracellular dopamine. Modafinil activates glutamatergic circuits while inhibiting GABA. Modafinil is thought to have less potential for abuse than other stimulants due to the absence of any significant euphoric or pleasurable effects. It is possible that modafinil acts by a synergistic combination of mechanisms including direct inhibition of dopamine reuptake, indirect inhibition of noradrenalin reuptake in the VLPO and orexin activation. Modafinil has partial alpha 1B-adrenergic agonist effects by directly stimulating the receptors.
Rapid following oral administration.
23-215 hours
The major route of elimination is metabolism (~90%), primarily by the liver, with subsequent renal elimination of the metabolites.
* 0.9 L/kg