Modafinil vs Armodafinil: Side Effects, Dosage and More

Modafinil and armodafinil are two of the most popular nootropics commonly used by healthy individuals to enhance cognition and ultimately increase productivity. While both drugs are the same in terms of their mechanism of action, benefits, adverse effects, and safety profile, they also have some differences. By the end of this guide, you will have learned about all their main similarities and differences and which brand to choose. Let’s get started.

What Is Modafinil?

Modafinil is a prescription medication primarily used to eliminate excessive daytime sleepiness in people with certain sleep disorders and enhance cognitive function in healthy individuals. It is classified as a wakefulness-promoting medication or eugeroic and is approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to treat shift work sleep disorder (SWSD), narcolepsy, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, doctors sometimes prescribe it off-label to manage certain other health conditions, including weight loss and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Although its exact mechanism of action is still being studied by researchers, some experts believe it works by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly dopamine and norepinephrine, which play a huge role in regulating mood, alertness, and the sleep-wake cycle. As a result of how it works, it doesn’t cause jitteriness in users when its effects start to leave the body like coffee does. This key feature endears it to a great many “smart drug” enthusiasts across the world, as it provides sustained wakefulness without the crash often associated with other stimulants.

Modafinil is most popular for its ability to boost brain function, including enhancing memory, concentration, mental processing speed, and overall mental clarity. It is often used off-label by individuals seeking to boost their productivity and performance, such as students studying for exams, shift workers adjusting to odd shifts, and professionals working long shifts.

Modafinil, commonly marketed under the brand name Provigil, is well-tolerated and generally safe, but it is not without adverse effects. It is, therefore, advisable to seek advice from a professional healthcare provider before taking it.

What Is Armodafinil?

Armodafinil is a medication that is closely related to modafinil and shares similar pharmacological properties. However, it has a slightly different chemical composition. While it contains only the active R-enantiomer, modafinil contains both the R- and S-enantiomers. This little difference is what brings about the variations in both nootropics in terms of their effect, duration of action, and strength.

Like modafinil, armodafinil is primarily used to treat OSA, SWSD, and narcolepsy. It works by stimulating the release of neurotransmitters in the brain, which leads to increased wakefulness and alertness. Armodafinil is also most commonly used off-label as a cognitive enhancer, offering similar benefits to modafinil in the area of cognitive enhancement and productivity.

Commonly marketed under the brand name Nuvigil, armodafinil is also generally safe, well-tolerated, and super-effective. Most people who use it report experiencing remarkable improvements in their energy state, focus, and mental ability. However, it remains important to consult with a doctor before popping the pill.

Comparing Modafinil vs. Armodafinil

Modafinil vs Armodafinil: while both share many similarities, they also have notable differences, particularly in their dosage, duration, onset of effects, and side effects. Understanding these distinctions is important, as they’re enough to influence the voice between the two medications. Let’s explore each of these key aspects in detail [1]:

Dosage

One of the major differences between modafinil and armodafinil is the recommended dosage. Modafinil is typically available in two dose strengths of 100 mg and 200 mg tablets, with the standard dosage for most conditions ranging from 100 mg to 200 mg per day. Whereas armodafinil is usually available in 150 mg tablets, and the recommended dosage is often lower compared to modafinil, with most patients getting a prescription of 150 mg per day.

Duration and Onset of Effects

Another difference between modafinil and armodafinil lies in their duration of action and onset of effects. Modafinil has a relatively faster onset of action, with its effects typically kicking in within 30-60 minutes after ingestion and lasting for up to 12 hours. On the other hand, armodafinil has a slightly longer onset of action, typically taking effect within about 2 hours. It has a half–life of approximately 13 hours [2][3].

Side Effects

In terms of side effects, modafinil and armodafinil share many similarities, as they both belong to the same class of medications and have similar mechanisms of action. Common side effects of both drugs may include back pain, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, and insomnia. It’s worth noting that some users report experiencing fewer side effects with modafinil compared to armodafinil and vice versa.

Potency

When it comes to potency, armodafinil is generally considered to be slightly stronger than modafinil due to its chemical composition. In fact, when compared, armodafinil 150 mg was found to provide similar effects to modafinil 200 mg. That means that armodafinil is about 1.33 times stronger than racemic modafinil. Consequently, armodafinil may provide a more sustained and pronounced wakefulness-promoting effect compared to modafinil. However, it’s worth noting that different people may respond differently to the drugs [4].

Where to Buy Modafinil or Armodafinil?

If you’re looking to purchase modafinil or armodafinil, it’s important to choose a reputable and reliable source to ensure that you’re getting high-quality versions at the best price. At Modafinil.au, we offer a wide range of armodafinil- and modafinil-based brands sourced directly from reputable pharmaceutical companies. We pride ourselves in selling only genuine, FDA-approved medications that will provide the intended effect, with fast and discreet shipping options available. We typically fulfill orders within Australia in 3-7 days, with an option for overnight or next-day delivery.

In addition to providing ultra-fast shipping, we also offer free trial sample packs, which allow you to experience the benefits of our products firsthand before making a financial commitment. At Modafinil.au, we deliver all medications in discreet packaging. This means that your privacy is protected and the contents of your package are not visible to anyone until it gets to your doorstep. But that’s not all; we currently reward customers who pay for their orders in Bitcoin with an exclusive 20% discount and provide free shipping on all orders worth A$250 and over.

With our commitment to customer satisfaction and our 100% money-back guarantee, you can rest assured we will provide you with the best possible experience when ordering your “smart drugs” online.

In Summary

Modafinil and armodafinil are both effective medications for promoting wakefulness and improving cognitive function. However, armodafinil being slightly stronger may provide more sustained wakefulness-promoting effects compared to modafinil. Looking for which is better for you? It depends on factors such as the nature of your job and the specific results you’re aiming for.

If you’re engaged in demanding, long-hour jobs that require focus for over 15 hours, armodafinil may be a preferred choice because of its prolonged effects. On the other hand, if you’re just seeking regular cognitive enhancement for study purposes or working in less demanding environments, modafinil may be much better. However, it’s worth noting that these drugs may affect individuals differently. The best way to determine which medication works best for you is to try both of them. While the cost of purchasing modafinil and armodafinil separately can be high, you can take advantage of the Modafinil.au cost-effective combo packs.

Opting for the combo packs allows you to experience the effects of both medications and determine which one suits you best at a fraction of the cost, compared to buying them separately.

References

1. Armodafinil vs. modafinil: Differences, similarities, and which is better for you. By Gerardo Sison, Pharm.D. Retrieved: March 11, 2024. Singlecare.com.
2. How Long Does Modafinil Stay In Your System? By Alyssa. Retrieved: March 11, 2024. Banyantreatmentcenter.com.
3. Pharmacokinetic profile of armodafinil in healthy subjects: pooled analysis of data from three randomized studies. By Mona Darwish, Mary Kirby, et al. Retrieved: March 11, 2024. Pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
4. Armodafinil versus Modafinil in Patients of Excessive Sleepiness Associated with Shift Work Sleep Disorder: A Randomized Double-Blind Multicentric Clinical Trial. By D. V. Tembe, A. Dhavale, H. Desai, et al. Retrieved: March 11, 2024. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.