History
Modafinil originated with the late 1970s invention of a series of benzhydryl sulfinyl compounds, also including adrafinil, by scientists working with the French pharmaceutical company Lafon. Adrafinil was first offered as an experimental treatment for narcolepsy in France in 1986. Modafinil is the primary metabolite of adrafinil and has similar activity but is much more widely used. It has been prescribed in France since 1994 under the name Modiodal, and in the US since 1998 as Provigil. It was approved for use in the UK in December 2002. Modafinil is marketed in the US by Cephalon Inc., who leased the rights from Lafon. Cephalon eventually purchased Lafon in 2001. In 2005, a petition by a private individual was filed with the FDA requesting over-the-counter sale of modafinil.
Research of Modalert/Modafinil
Modafinil (Provigil, Modalert, Modapro) is used to help people who have narcolepsy to stay awake during the day. Modafinil increases wakefulness and daytime alertness in people who experience excessive sleepiness during the day, either due to narcolepsy, or due to a syndrome called obstructive sleep apnoea. It can also be used to improve wakefulness and alertness in people who suffer moderate to severe sleep disorders as a result of chronic shift work. However, the medicine should not be used as a replacement for sleep and you should talk to your doctor about ways to try and maintain good sleep patterns. Extensively used a name Modalert.
