Modafinil and Adderall are similar drugs and used in the treatment of narcolepsy. But is Modafinil the same as Adderall?
Before knowing the difference between these drugs, it is important to understand what medical issues they are prescribed for.
Sold under the brand name Provigil, modafinil is a nootropic, a smart drug, which treats excessive daytime sleepiness caused by narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and shift work sleep disorder (SWSD).
On the other hand, Adderall is a combination of amphetamine drugs, which is also used in the treatment of narcolepsy, but more commonly, it is recommended to people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
So, is Modafinil the same as Adderall?
Both modafinil and Adderall have stimulant-like effects; however, there is a significant difference in their chemical structure and a massive difference in their addiction potential and the risk of side effects.
“Modafinil and Adderall both have stimulant-type effects, although modafinil is not classed as a stimulant,” says Drugs.com. “Modafinil improves wakefulness and decision making but does not make you any smarter.”
As far as the addiction potential is concerned, Adderall has been found more addictive than modafinil. Also, Adderall is more likely to cause withdrawal symptoms on discontinuation than modafinil.
Modafinil is a wakefulness-promoting stimulant, a type of psychostimulant, while Adderall is a central nervous stimulant, according to SingleCare, a firm that works directly with pharmacies to negotiate prescription prices.
Adderall works by boosting the secretion of brain chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, whereas modafinil acts on several brain processes to create a sense of wakefulness, such as orexin, GABA, glutamate, and histamine, according to The Recovery Village, which aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health issues.
Is modafinil more effective than Adderall?
Both modafinil and Adderall are equally effective at treating excessive sleepiness caused by narcolepsy, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
They have the potential to be habit-forming; however, the narcotic status of Adderall suggests that it has a great potential for habit formation and even abuse. On the other hand, modafinil has been found to have less potential for habit formation and abuse. It also has a low incidence of adverse events compared to Adderall. Furthermore, modafinil is a well-tolerated smart drug. Therefore, modafinil is often considered the first choice of the drug when it comes to treating narcolepsy than Adderall.
