Modafinil falls into the class of drugs known as “stimulants.” It is a drug that requires a doctor’s prescription and is available in oral tablets ranging from 100 to 200 mg. Both narcolepsy and excessive daytime sleepiness have been successfully treated with the medicine in the past. In addition to this, studies are currently being carried out to study its potential applications in the treatment of cognitive decline and in the postponement of the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

There is some evidence that using the drug may reduce the risk of acquiring some types of cancer. If you take modafinil, there is a chance that you will experience some unwanted side effects, including a rise in anxiety, an irregular heart rhythm, and difficulties sleeping.

It is a medicine that has been licenced for medical use but is on the Schedule IV list, which indicates that it has the potential to induce psychological dependence and lead to misuse. Modafinil stimulates the dopamine and norepinephrine systems, which results in heightened awareness and concentration, as well as an increased interest in the activity being carried out by the user. Additionally, it has an effect on the wakefulness-inducing histamine.

In addition to the property of the drug that causes wakefulness, anecdotal evidence has demonstrated that Modafinil is extremely effective at delivering benefits such as improved overall cognition, enhanced memory retention, and increased productivity. These benefits can last for 10 to 12 hours or longer.

Short-term Side effects

In spite of the fact that Modafinil provides a number of advantages, it also has a number of drawbacks. Some of the adverse effects typically do not require medical treatment and go away within 24 to 48 hours after they first emerge. During treatment, when your body becomes accustomed to the medication, these negative effects can disappear. The following are the most common short-term adverse effects:

Sleeplessness:

Cognitive performance can be improved with the help of Modafinil. Because its half-life is between 12 and 15 hours, a person should expect to feel alert for approximately 10 to 12 hours after taking the medicine. The interaction of the orexinergic system with the activated sympathetic nervous system is what gives the drug its wakefulness-promoting effects, and it is this connection that is mediated by the drug.

It has a synergistic effect on the orexin system, meaning that it reduces the amount of energy that is expended as well as increases an individual’s capacity to exercise. Patients who suffer from extreme chronic fatigue and daytime sleepiness report improvements in their ability to stay awake. This might have the opposite impact on a person who is otherwise healthy, keeping them awake all night long.

Anxiety/Restlessness

It is one of the modafinil adverse effects that comes and goes the most frequently. Seventy percent of the patients did not report experiencing any worsening of their anxiety symptoms, while the remaining patients reported that they felt anxious 7-9 hours after taking the medication.

The amount of modafinil taken is directly proportional to how effectively it treats anxiety. This adverse effect can be explained in the simplest terms by the fact that some users are just unable to cope with the increase in cognition without experiencing feelings of being overstimulated.

Diarrhea

In comparison to the other potential adverse effects, this one appears to be the moat unambiguous You either never experience it at all or it becomes something that you suffer if you take Modafinil on a regular basis. Even though diarrhoea is noted as a common side effect in the vast majority of clinical studies, the severity of the condition is often minor, and it is only very seldom a reason to stop using Modafinil.

Modafinil causes the body’s fight-or-flight response system to become activated by elevating levels of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine in the brain. When the body is in this state, in order to maintain its life, it must redirect energy to more critical systems such as the neurological and muscular systems. As a result, the digestive system is suppressed.

Pressure in the Head and the Sinuses

Headaches and pressure in the sinuses are typically the modafinil adverse effects that are mentioned the most frequently. Glutamate and orexin are two neurotransmitters that are connected with greater wakefulness. Modafinil is known to stimulate the production of both of these neurotransmitters. On the other hand, migraines are frequently linked to excessively high levels of both neurotransmitters, which is a common cause of the condition.

Dehydration and not eating enough food during the day are two other factors that might contribute to headaches brought on by Modafinil use. Because Modafinil makes it possible to concentrate intensely on the task at hand, it is very simple to ignore basic necessities like hydrating and eating properly while under its influence.

Long-Term Adverse effects

Only one percent of long-term users have reported experiencing negative effects from the drug over the long run. There are a few negative effects that have been recorded by people who take modafinil on a regular basis, despite the fact that the effects are not totally understood.

Hallucinations

Even though modafinil is not considered to be a psychoactive substance, hallucinations have been linked to unexpected increases in dosage. People who have a history of mental diseases such as bipolar disorder or Kleine-Levin syndrome are strongly discouraged from self-medicating with the substance.

Pain in the Chest with Irregular Heartbeat

Because it might cause a rise in both heart rate and blood pressure, modafinil is only used with extreme caution or completely avoided in individuals who have cardiovascular issues.

Sores

As a potential adverse effect, modafinil has been linked to the development of ulcers in the mouth and lips of certain users. Even though sores are uncommon in people who take Modafinil, the condition is nevertheless regarded as a serious adverse effect of the drug.

Steven-Johnson Syndrome

A chemical reaction takes occur in the cells of the skin and the mucous membranes, and this is what causes the condition. When exposed to modafinil, the immune system goes berserk and starts generating signalling chemicals that promote cell death. This is because modafinil causes the immune system to go haywire.

A rash that can be red or purple and produces blisters that then break open can appear. The progression of the lesions might result in the loss of huge patches of skin, which leaves the affected individual more susceptible to infection.

Liver Damage

In spite of its widespread use, there have been no reports of modafinil causing clinically noticeable liver damage. It is still unknown what process could lead to damage to the liver. Although it is heavily processed in the liver, modafinil is only associated with a small number of adverse medication reactions.

The liver is responsible for the metabolism of around 90% of the Modafinil that you take; the kidneys are responsible for the elimination of the remaining 10%. Urine is the primary route it takes to leave your body.

The official product monograph suggests a dosage reduction of modafinil by fifty percent for people who have conditions that affect their liver.