A Systematic Review of Modafinil: Potential Clinical Uses and Mechanisms of Action

Background: Modafinil is a novel wake-promoting agent that has U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for narcolepsy andshift work sleep disorder and as adjunctive treatment of obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome. Modafinil has a novel mechanism and is theorized to work in a localized manner, utilizing hypocretin, histamine, epinephrine, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and glutamate. It is a well-tolerated medication with low propensity for abuse and is frequently used for off-label indications. The objective of this study was to systematically review the available evidence supporting the clinical use of modafinil.

Data Sources: The search term modafinil OR Provigil was searched on PubMed. Selected articles were mined for further potential sourcesof data. Abstracts from major scientific conferences were reviewed. Lastly, the manufacturerof modafinil in the United States was asked to provide all publications, abstracts, and unpublished data regarding studies of modafinil.

Data Synthesis: There have been 33 double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of modafinil. Additionally, numerous smaller studies have been performed, and case reports of modafinil’s use abound in the literature.

Conclusions: Modafinil is a promising drug with a large potential for many uses in psychiatry and general medicine. Treating daytime sleepiness is complex, and determining the precise nature of the sleep disorder is vital. Modafinil may be an effective agent in many sleep conditions. To date, the strongest evidence among off-label uses exists for the use of modafinil in attention-deficit disorder, postanesthetic sedation, and cocaine dependence and withdrawal and as an adjunctto antidepressants for depression.