modafinil vs armodafinil

If you wonder which of the two, modafinil vs. armodafinil, is better than you’ve probably tried only one of them. In this guide to modafinil and armodafinil, we’ll explain the primary difference between them and why one is considered a bit better than the other. So, let’s get down to finding out the truth about both medicines.

What Is Modafinil?

Modafinil is a nootropic preparation, which stimulates brain activity. Due to the effects it induces, it also works as a wakefulness-promoting agent. Modafinil is a weak dopamine reuptake inhibitor. The rise in the levels of dopamine in the brain helps to improve the muscular activity (that’s the reason why modafinil is prohibited for use in professional sportsmen) and stimulate the feeling of pleasure.

Besides, the drug affects the levels of other neurotransmitters (norepinephrine, orexin, histamine), which results in continuous wakefulness, improved memory, concentration, high attentiveness, and workability. The result of these effects in the complex allows you to be more productive at work.

This drug brand name is Provigil. Its stimulant-like action made it very popular among the students and people whose job demands increased alertness and excellent cognitive functions.

What Is Armodafinil?

Armodafinil is an enantiopure version of modafinil. It imposes the same effects on the human brain and helps people to perform better at work or studies. Armodafinil is considered a new, improved version of its predecessor. It has preserved all the benefits of modafinil and added to them a longer duration of action, higher efficiency, together with a lower incidence of side effects.

What Is ArmodafinilThis preparation is manufactured by Cephalon Inc. (the same company that produces modafinil) under the brand name Nuvigil. The drug got the FDA-approval in 2007. Armodafinil can only be obtained on prescription. Since 2016 Armodafinil became available as generic. You can order it online under the names Waklert and Adrafinil among others.

What They Treat?

If we compare the uses of armodafinil vs. modafinil, it becomes clear that both drugs are applied for the same purposes. Their on-label uses comprise apnea, narcolepsy, as well as shift-work sleep disorder.

However, these drugs are also widely used off-label. Both modafinil and armodafinil appeared to be efficient in patients suffering from ADHD, major depressive disorder, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and many other diseases that decrease brain activity.

Still, the most popular off-label use of these medications is a stimulation of cognitive processes and promotion of wakefulness, which is needed badly for people of different professions, including medical workers, the military, and office workers.

Modafinil vs Adrafinil Side Effects

The difference between these medicines is very small. Therefore, the side effects they can cause are also similar. The only difference in terms of modafinil vs. adrafinil side effects is that they are less frequent with armodafinil.

The most common unwanted reactions one can experience are the following:

  • Headache;
  • Nausea;
  • Dizziness;
  • Trouble sleeping;
  • Anxiety;
  • Poor appetite.

Modafinil can also become the reason for upper respiratory tract infections, stomach pain, and diarrhea. Unlike modafini, armodafinil can cause restlessness, dry mouth, and aggression. The severity and frequency of adverse reactions are connected with the dose taken. Higher doses can cause more serious reactions.

The Differences between Modafinil and Armodafinil

The core of all the dissimilarities between the drugs under consideration lies in their chemical structure. Modafinil is racemic. It contains two types of modafinil enantiomers in its structure: R-enantiomer and S-enantiomer. The difference between the two is that the first is a mirror-reflection of the second one. R-modafinil half-life is 15 hours, whereas S-modafinil stays effective for only 4 hours, which overall reduces the time of modafinil duration of action.

Armodafinil contains only R-enantiomer of modafinil. Therefore, the duration of its effects is significantly longer. Comparing modafinil vs armodafinil Reddit users note that the effects of racemic medication start fading about 5 hours after the intake, whereas the enantiopure compound remains equally effective for 10 hours or even longer.

Armodafinil is more potent than modafinil, which allowed its developers to reduce the dose of the medication taken. Thus, modafinil commonly recommended dose is 200 mg, whereas the efficient dose of armodafinil is 150 mg a day.

How Much Does Modafinil and Armodafinil Cost?

The prices for the brand modafinil and armodafinil are very high. The users may be charged $10 per pill of the brand armodafinil and $53 for a single dose of the brand modafinil.

Armodafinil CostYou can save a decent sum of money if you opt for the generic version of either of the drugs. Based on the prices set on the website of one of the biggest online vendors of generic modafinil and armodafinil, these drugs are available at $29 per 10 pill package. The company offers several names of modafinil generics (Modvigil, Modafresh, Modaheal, Modalert) as well as two brands of armodafinil generics – Waklert and Artvigil.

Which Is Better?

There’s no exact answer to the question of which one is better. The opinions about armodafinil vs. modafinil Reddit users are different. Some prefer good old modafinil. Others say that armodafinil works better for them. So let’s compare the differences between these to make the choice easier:

  • The onset of action. Both drugs need about an hour to come into effect. The peak plasma concentrations of medicines are reached two-four hours after the intake. So in terms of this parameter, they are equal.
  • Duration of action. We’ve already said that armodafinil is equally effective throughout the entire period of its action. The effects of armodafinil usually last for 10 – 14 hours. Modafinil effects get milder after about five hours after the intake. Overall, the medication stays effective for 8 – 10 hours. At this point, armodafinil is better.
  • The intensiveness of the effects. Both preparations induce a wakefulness-promoting effect together with a potent boost of cognitive functions. They are both equally strong.

As you see, modafinil and armodafinil are very similar. Our advice is to try both and then make a decision. By the way, modafinil online sellers offer a modafinil-armodafinil mix package for the users to test both.

Can You Order Modafinil Online?

Modafinil, as well as armodafinil, are available without a prescription online. The companies selling these medicines offer a wide choice of generics manufactured by highly reputable Indian pharmaceutical companies Sun Pharma and HAB Pharma.

Modafinil Online

Online modafinil vendors sell the medications at fair prices. Besides, they often offer significant discounts for their regular customers and those who pay for their orders with Bitcoins or other cryptocurrencies. In some cases, the price of modafinil online can be reduced by 45%.

Be careful not to become a victim of fraudulent modafinil online sellers. Buy the preparation from reliable vendors with an excellent reputation to guarantee that you’ll get top-quality medications on the most favorable conditions. For example, you can check out the offers of Modafinil XL and any brands, which is now the biggest company offering generic modafinil online.

How to Get a Prescription for Modafinil

Modafinil is a preparation regulated as a Schedule IV drug (medicines that can cause tolerance and drug abuse) in the US. To legally buy it you need a prescription, which can only be written out by your attending doctor. He/she will prescribe you the drug in case you are diagnosed with daytime sleepiness caused by narcolepsy or one of sleep disorders. A prescription can also be written out if you have ADHD, depression, multiple sclerosis or some other medical health issues that make you feel drowsy during the day.

It is impossible to get a legal prescription for modafinil if you are healthy and are going to use it because of its stimulant properties only. Still, you can skip the formalities connected with getting a prescription if you order modafinil on the internet.