Overview
| Generic Names: | modafinil |
|---|---|
| Trade Names: | Dea No. 1680; Modafinil [Usan:Inn]; Modafinilo [Spanish]; Modafinilum [Latin]; Moderateafinil; Modiodal; Provigil; Sparlon |
| PharmGKB Accession Id: | PA450530 |
Description
Modafinil is a stimulant drug marketed as a 'wakefulness promoting agent' and is one of the stimulants used in the treatment of narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is caused by dysfunction of a family of wakefulness-promoting and sleep-suppressing peptides, the orexins, whose neurons are activated by modafinil. The prexin neuron activation is associated with psychoactivation and euphoria. The exact mechanism of action is unclear, although in vitro 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. (source: Drug Bank)
Indication
To improve wakefulness in patients with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) associated with narcolepsy. (source: Drug Bank)
ATC Therapeutic Category
- N06BA:Centrally acting sympathomimetics
Pharmacology, Interactions, and Contraindications
Mechanism Of Action
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. (source: Drug Bank)
Pharmacology
Modafinil is a stimulant drug marketed as a 'wakefulness promoting agent' and is one of the stimulants used in the treatment of narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is caused by dysfunction of a family of wakefulness-promoting and sleep-suppressing peptides, the orexins, whose neurons are activated by modafinil. The prexin neuron activation is associated with psychoactivation and euphoria. Modafinil is not indicated for complaints of lack of energy or fatigue; but it appears to be very helpful for some patients. Also, it has been used in the treatment of hypersomnia, a disorder in which patients lack the capacity for meaningful sleep and may require ten or more hours per day. Recent studies have have found that modafinil may help recovering cocaine addicts fight their addiction. (source: Drug Bank)
Food Interactions
Take without regard to meals. (source: Drug Bank)
Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Elimination & Toxicity
Biotransformation
Hepatic (source: Drug Bank)
Protein Binding
60% (source: Drug Bank)
Absorption
Rapid following oral administration. (source: Drug Bank)
Isomeric SMILES Code:
C1=CC=C(C=C1)C(C2=CC=CC=C2)[S@](=O)CC(=O)N (source: Drug Bank)
The following genes are in curated knowledge about this drug.
| Gene | Relationship | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
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COMT |
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Publications |
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CYP1A2 |
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Publications |
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CYP2C19 |
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Publications |
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CYP3A |
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Publications |
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CYP3A4 |
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Publications |
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CYP3A5 |
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Publications |
A list of non-curated publications that mention this drug along with other genes is available.
Drug Targets
| Gene | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| ADRA1B |
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(source: Drug Bank) |
| SLC6A3 |
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(source: Drug Bank) |
The following drugs are in curated knowledge about this drug.
| Drug | Relationship | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
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ethinyl estradiol |
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Publications |
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triazolam |
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Publications |
A list of non-curated publications that mention this drug along with other drugs is available.
Drug Interactions
| Drug | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| clozapine |
|
Modafinil increases the effect and toxicity of clozapine (source: Drug Bank) |
| cyclosporine |
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Modafinil decreases the effect of cyclosporine (source: Drug Bank) |
| ethinyl estradiol |
|
Modafinil decreases the effect of the contraceptive (source: Drug Bank) |
| mestranol |
|
Modafinil decreases the effect of the contraceptive (source: Drug Bank) |
| triazolam |
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Modafinil decreases the effect of triazolam (source: Drug Bank) |
Curated Information
The following diseases are in curated knowledge about this drug.
| Disease | Relationship | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Narcolepsy |
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Publications |
Non-Curated Information
A list of non-curated publications that mention this drug along with other diseases is available.
Additional Datasets
These datasets are minimally curated and are sorted alphabetically by title.
LinkOuts
Common Searches
Search PubMed
Search Medline Plus
Search PubChem
Search CTD
Non-Curated Publications
A list of non-curated publications that mention this drug is available.
