Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsComparisonsIndicationsHow They WorkEffectivenessContraindicationsDosagesSide EffectsInteractions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Comparisons
Indications
How They Work
Effectiveness
Contraindications
Dosages
Side Effects
Interactions
Modafinil(sold under the brand name Provigil and others) and Adderall (amphetamine + dextroamphetamine) are oral stimulants that act on thecentral nervous system (CNS). While both can improve wakefulness and focus, there are key differences between the two drugs.
Adderall is commonly used to treatattention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)and a sleep disorder callednarcolepsy.
Modafinil is not approved to treat ADHD but is sometimes prescribed off-label for such. It is, however, approved to treat sleep disorders like narcolepsy,shift work sleep disorder, andsleep apnea.
Other differences between Adderall and modafinil include their recommended doses, age of use, and drug interactions.
This article compares modafinil and Adderall, describing their uses, dosages, safety concerns, and which drug is more effective.
Getty Images / Jupiterimages.
Overview of Modafinil vs. Adderall
In addition to an immediate-release Adderall (known as Adderall IR) that is taken several times a day, there is an extended-release capsule called Adderall XR taken once daily. Adderall was FDA-approved in 2002.
The active ingredients for each of the three drugs are measured in milligrams (mg).
Uses
Although modafinil is sometimes used off-label for ADHD and Adderall XR is sometimes used off-label to help treat depression and bipolar disorder, their licensed uses are very specific.
What Does “Off-Label” Mean?
Modafinil Uses
Modafinil is prescribed to improve wakefulness in adults with excessive sleepiness due to:
Modafinil is also sometimes prescribed off-label forParkinson’s disease,chronic fatigue syndrome,depression, and fatigue related tomultiple sclerosis (MS).
Adderall Uses
Adderall IR and Adderall XR are both approved for the treatment of:
The only difference between Adderall IR and Adderall XR is that Adderall IR can be used to treat ADHD in children as young as 3 years, while Adderall XR is only used in children 6 years and over.
Only Adderall IR is approved for the treatment of:
How Do Modafinil and Adderall work?
With that said, the exact way that modafinil promotes wakefulness is not yet fully understood. Generally, modafinil is thought to work similarly to amphetamine drugs like Adderall and methylphenidate drugs likeRitalin.
Modafinil is believed to increase dopamine levels, which helps improve wakefulness. It also stimulates mood, thinking, and feelings.
Adderall, on the other hand, is known to increase dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine levels. This improves attention and focus while decreasing impulsivity and aggression.
Which Is More Effective?
There is little data comparing how effective modafinil and Adderall are in treating narcolepsy (a condition for which both drugs are approved).
With that said, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) issued a “strong” recommendation for the use of modafinil to treat narcolepsy in adults.
In contrast, the AASM issued a “conditional” recommendation for dextroamphetamine (one of the main ingredients of Adderall). A conditional recommendation means the healthcare provider must use clinical judgment to determine if a drug is appropriate.
While modafinil and Adderall are both approved to treat narcolepsy, only Adderall is FDA-approved to treat ADHD. Even so, some healthcare providers regularly prescribe modafinil for ADHD based on mounting evidence that it can significantly reduce symptoms in both home and school settings.
Research published in theCochrane Database of Systematic Reviewsin 2018 reported that, based on a review of 19 studies, modafinil was no more or less effective than Adderall in treating ADHD in children.
Who Should Avoid Modafinil or Adderall?
Modafinil and Adderall are not appropriate for everyone. Before taking modafinil or Adderall, tell your healthcare provider about your medical history and family history to avoid possible complications.
When to Avoid Modafinil
You should not take modafinil if you:
Modafinil may be used with caution with the following conditions if the benefits are seen to outweigh the risks:
When to Avoid Adderall
You should not take Adderall if you:
Adderall can be used with caution with the following conditions if the benefits outweigh the risks:
Recommended Dosages
With both modafinil and Adderall, the healthcare provider will generally start on a lower dose and slowly increase as needed.
Modafinil
Modafinil is available as an oral tablet. It is available in 100-mg and 200-mg tablets. It can be taken once daily with or without food.
The dosage can be increased to 400 mg daily. Older adults may need lower doses.
Adderall IR
Adderall IR is available as an oral tablet in 5-mg, 7.5-mg, 10-mg, 12.5-mg, 15-mg, 20-mg, and 30-mg doses. It is typically taken several times a day, with the first dose taken first thing in the morning.
Adderall IR can be taken with or without food, but taking it with a high-fat meal can significantly slow its absorption.
Adderall XR
Adderall XR is available as an oral capsule, supplied in 5-mg, 10-mg, 15-mg, 20-mg, 25-mg, and 30-mg doses. It is usually taken once in the morning with or without food.
The recommended dose of Adderall XR for ADHD is:
Dexedrine vs. Adderall for ADHD
Side Effects and Safety
Modafinil is a CNS stimulant unrelated to amphetamine drugs like Adderall. Be aware that both drugs carry a potential for abuse and dependence.
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) currently classifies Adderall as a Schedule 2 controlled substance, meaning that it has the potential for abuse and dependence.Modafinil is classified as a Schedule 4 controlled substance, meaning that the risk is present but significantly lower.(For context, heroin is a Schedule 1 drug).
The most common side effects of modafinil include:
Rare but serious side effects include:
Adderall
Common side effects of Adderall include:
Drug Interactions
Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you take, including prescription, over-the-counter (OTC), herbal, nutritional, and recreational drugs. While taking modafinil or Adderall, do not start any new medications without approval from your healthcare provider.
Modafinil can affect the concentration of certain drugs in the bloodstream, either causing them to decrease (making them less effective) or increases (increasing the likelihood of side effects).
These include drugs like:
Adderall can interact with a wide range of medications. Advise your healthcare provider if you take any of the following:
Also, drugs that increase serotonin levels can causeserotonin syndrome, a potentially deadly condition that can cause:
Drugs that may contribute to serotonin syndrome when taken with Adderall include:
Summary
Adderall is a stimulant drug widely prescribed for ADHD and narcolepsy, while modafinil is a stimulant drug primarily used for narcolepsy. Modafinil is sometimes prescribed off-label for ADHD. Studies have shown that Adderall and modafinil are relatively equal in their ability to treat narcolepsy. There is growing evidence that the same may be true for ADHD.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.DailyMed.Label: Adderall XR-dextroamphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine sulfate and amphetamine aspartate capsule, extended release.DailyMed.Label: Provigil- modafinil tablet.DailyMed.Label: Adderall-dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and amphetamine sulfate tablet.McIntyre RS, Lee Y, Zhou AJ, et al.The efficacy of psychostimulants in major depressive episodes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Clin Psychopharmacol.2017 Aug;37(4):412-418. doi:10.1097/JCP.0000000000000723Wilenius L, Partinen M.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder patients may have undiagnosed narcolepsy.Cureus.2020 Jun;12(6):e8436. doi:10.7759/cureus.8436Stanford Health.14 drugs identified as most urgently needing study for off-label use, Stanford professor says.Hersey M, Tanda G.Modafinil, an atypical CNS stimulant?Adv Pharmacol.2024:99:287-326. doi:10.1016/bs.apha.2023.10.006National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants.Bobak MJ, Weber MW, Doellman MA, et al.Modafinil activates phasic dopamine signaling in dorsal and ventral striata.J Pharmacol Exp Ther.2016 Dec;359(3):460–470. doi:10.1124/jpet.116.236000MedlinePlus.Modafinil.MedlinePlus.Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.Maski K, Trotti LM, Kotagal S, et al.Treatment of central disorders of hypersomnolence: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline.J Clin Sleep Med. 2021;17(9):1881-1893. doi:10.5664/jcsm.9328Castells X, Blanco-Silvente L, Cunill R.Amphetamines for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2018;2018(8):CD007813. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007813.pub3United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).Drug scheduling.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.DailyMed.Label: Adderall XR-dextroamphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine sulfate and amphetamine aspartate capsule, extended release.DailyMed.Label: Provigil- modafinil tablet.DailyMed.Label: Adderall-dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and amphetamine sulfate tablet.McIntyre RS, Lee Y, Zhou AJ, et al.The efficacy of psychostimulants in major depressive episodes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Clin Psychopharmacol.2017 Aug;37(4):412-418. doi:10.1097/JCP.0000000000000723Wilenius L, Partinen M.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder patients may have undiagnosed narcolepsy.Cureus.2020 Jun;12(6):e8436. doi:10.7759/cureus.8436Stanford Health.14 drugs identified as most urgently needing study for off-label use, Stanford professor says.Hersey M, Tanda G.Modafinil, an atypical CNS stimulant?Adv Pharmacol.2024:99:287-326. doi:10.1016/bs.apha.2023.10.006National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants.Bobak MJ, Weber MW, Doellman MA, et al.Modafinil activates phasic dopamine signaling in dorsal and ventral striata.J Pharmacol Exp Ther.2016 Dec;359(3):460–470. doi:10.1124/jpet.116.236000MedlinePlus.Modafinil.MedlinePlus.Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.Maski K, Trotti LM, Kotagal S, et al.Treatment of central disorders of hypersomnolence: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline.J Clin Sleep Med. 2021;17(9):1881-1893. doi:10.5664/jcsm.9328Castells X, Blanco-Silvente L, Cunill R.Amphetamines for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2018;2018(8):CD007813. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007813.pub3United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).Drug scheduling.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
DailyMed.Label: Adderall XR-dextroamphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine sulfate and amphetamine aspartate capsule, extended release.DailyMed.Label: Provigil- modafinil tablet.DailyMed.Label: Adderall-dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and amphetamine sulfate tablet.McIntyre RS, Lee Y, Zhou AJ, et al.The efficacy of psychostimulants in major depressive episodes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Clin Psychopharmacol.2017 Aug;37(4):412-418. doi:10.1097/JCP.0000000000000723Wilenius L, Partinen M.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder patients may have undiagnosed narcolepsy.Cureus.2020 Jun;12(6):e8436. doi:10.7759/cureus.8436Stanford Health.14 drugs identified as most urgently needing study for off-label use, Stanford professor says.Hersey M, Tanda G.Modafinil, an atypical CNS stimulant?Adv Pharmacol.2024:99:287-326. doi:10.1016/bs.apha.2023.10.006National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants.Bobak MJ, Weber MW, Doellman MA, et al.Modafinil activates phasic dopamine signaling in dorsal and ventral striata.J Pharmacol Exp Ther.2016 Dec;359(3):460–470. doi:10.1124/jpet.116.236000MedlinePlus.Modafinil.MedlinePlus.Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.Maski K, Trotti LM, Kotagal S, et al.Treatment of central disorders of hypersomnolence: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline.J Clin Sleep Med. 2021;17(9):1881-1893. doi:10.5664/jcsm.9328Castells X, Blanco-Silvente L, Cunill R.Amphetamines for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2018;2018(8):CD007813. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007813.pub3United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).Drug scheduling.
DailyMed.Label: Adderall XR-dextroamphetamine sulfate, dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine sulfate and amphetamine aspartate capsule, extended release.
DailyMed.Label: Provigil- modafinil tablet.
DailyMed.Label: Adderall-dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and amphetamine sulfate tablet.
McIntyre RS, Lee Y, Zhou AJ, et al.The efficacy of psychostimulants in major depressive episodes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Clin Psychopharmacol.2017 Aug;37(4):412-418. doi:10.1097/JCP.0000000000000723
Wilenius L, Partinen M.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder patients may have undiagnosed narcolepsy.Cureus.2020 Jun;12(6):e8436. doi:10.7759/cureus.8436
Stanford Health.14 drugs identified as most urgently needing study for off-label use, Stanford professor says.
Hersey M, Tanda G.Modafinil, an atypical CNS stimulant?Adv Pharmacol.2024:99:287-326. doi:10.1016/bs.apha.2023.10.006
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants.
Bobak MJ, Weber MW, Doellman MA, et al.Modafinil activates phasic dopamine signaling in dorsal and ventral striata.J Pharmacol Exp Ther.2016 Dec;359(3):460–470. doi:10.1124/jpet.116.236000
MedlinePlus.Modafinil.
MedlinePlus.Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine.
Maski K, Trotti LM, Kotagal S, et al.Treatment of central disorders of hypersomnolence: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline.J Clin Sleep Med. 2021;17(9):1881-1893. doi:10.5664/jcsm.9328
Castells X, Blanco-Silvente L, Cunill R.Amphetamines for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2018;2018(8):CD007813. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007813.pub3
United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).Drug scheduling.
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