Jun 19 / 2019

Modalert or Waklert – find out the difference

Modafinil is an antinarcoleptic medication also used for obstructive sleep apnea and other disorders in which excessive daytime sleepiness is present. The drug is a popular brain function stimulant which is an off-label use. The popularity of the medication is due to minimum contraindications and side effects.

Waklert is a trade name of the medication which can be called a derivative or improved version of Modafinil, Armodafinil. It is also primarily used for narcolepsy but is also approved for different conditions in which excessive daytime sleepiness interferes with normal functioning of an individual. The medication is also used off-label as a smart drug, to cope with jet-lag, for weight loss, and so on.

Comparison of Modalert and Waklert

Main features

Modafinil

Waklert

Drug class

Wakefulness-promoting agents, analeptics, nootropics

Available drug forms

Tablets for oral administration

Use regimen

The pills of Modafinil must be taken either in the morning or before noon. The intake in the second half of the day causes insomnia.

The pills of Waklert must be taken either in the morning or before noon. The use in the second half of the day causes insomnia.

Daily dose

The standard dosage of Modafinil is 200 mg taken once a day. If it is not effective, it can be raised to 400 mg but also taken in the morning. For off-label uses microdosing, i.e. a half or a quarter of Modafinil pill are sometimes used.

The standard dosage of Waklert is 150 mg taken once a day. If it is not effective, it can be raised to 300 mg but also taken in the morning. For off-label uses microdosing, i.e. a half or a quarter of Waklert pill are sometimes used.

Legal status

Prescription-only

Approved uses

Narcolepsy, shift-work sleep disorder, obstructive sleep apnea

Off-label uses

The medication is used off-label both for conditions when the enhancement of cognitive functions is needed such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, brain trauma or surgery, and for sleepiness-induced by chronic fatigue syndrome, opiates, depression. Modafinil can be also used by healthy individuals for weight loss, jet-lag, sleepiness caused by weather, insufficient night sleep, and so on.

Waklert is also used off-label both for conditions when the enhancement of cognitive functions is needed such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, brain trauma or surgery, and for sleepiness-induced by chronic fatigue syndrome, opiates, depression. Modafinil and Waklert can be also used by healthy individuals for weight loss, jet-lag, sleepiness caused by weather, insufficient night sleep, and so on.

Trade names

Provigil, Alertec, Modalert, Modavigil, others

Waklert, Nuvigil, Artvigil, and others

Time of effect

The effect of a single dosage of Modafinil lasts for around 10 hours but it depends on the individual features and speed of metabolism, it can be shorter or longer.

The effect of a single dosage of Waklert lasts for around 12-15 hours but it depends on the individual features and speed of metabolism so it can be shorter or longer.

The drug is metabolized in

Liver

Excreted in

Urine

Principle of effect

To date, all of the processes that Modafinil causes in the brain are not fully understood. The wakefulness-promoting effect is believed to be related to the mild inhibition of recapture of free dopamine. As a result, it remains free between the cells and causes wakefulness. The formulation also elevates the level in histamine of the hypothalamus which is responsible for inhibition of sleepiness through natural mechanisms. In tests on animals, it had been noticed that the drug causes activity of multiple brain areas which can partially explain the enhancement of cognitive functions.

Nowadays, all of the processes that Waklert induces in the brain are not fully studied. The wakefulness-promoting effect is believed to be related to the mild inhibition of recapture of free dopamine. As a result, it remains free between the cells and causes wakefulness. The formulation also elevates the level in histamine of the hypothalamus which is responsible for prevention of sleepiness occurrence through natural mechanisms. In tests on animals, it had been noticed that the drug causes activity of multiple brain areas which can partially explain the enhancement of cognitive functions.

Negative effects

Modafinil is considered a quite safe medication that is very rarely related to any serious adverse effects. The occurring negative reactions are nausea, headache, and trouble falling asleep but they are dose dependent and it is sufficient to cut the dosage to get rid of them. The serious side effects that require drug us discontinuation are any allergic manifestations. It is important to quit the drug use as they can develop into a potentially fatal anaphylaxis.

Waklert as Modafinil is rarely associated with any negative effects. Although the use of high dosages can also cause nausea, headache and trouble falling asleep. Besides, it can cause hallucinations, euphoria, loss of appetite, and anxiety especially in predisposed patients, i.e. those who have any disorders associated with such symptoms. The serious side effects that require drug us discontinuation are any allergic manifestations. It is important to quit the drug use as they can develop into a potentially fatal anaphylaxis.

Contraindications

Modafinil must not be taken by people who had previously used it and suffered from side effects, pregnant and breastfeeding women, kids and adolescents younger than 18 years, in severe liver dysfunction, severe heart dysfunction, elevated blood pressure due to use of CNS stimulants.

Waklert as Modalert must not be taken by people who had previously used it and suffered from side effects, pregnant and breastfeeding women, kids and adolescents younger than 18 years, in severe liver dysfunction, severe heart dysfunction, elevated blood pressure due to use of CNS stimulants.

Use during pregnancy

Modafinil is contraindicated for pregnant women as there hadn’t been sufficient research in this category of patients and the tests on animals shows risk to the fetus.

Waklert is prohibited for pregnant women as there hadn’t been sufficient research in this category of patients and the tests on animals shows risk to the fetus.

Overdose manifestation and treatment

An overdose of Modafinil isn’t fatal unless the drug is taken with other medications that can enhance its effect on the heart and blood pressure. The typical manifestations of an overdose include anxiety, agitation, tremor, inability to fall asleep, and so on. There is no antidote so the treatment is aimed at the elimination of occurring symptoms. The first measure that can be undertaken not later than an hour after the increased dosage intake is induction of vomiting.

An overdose of Waklert as of Modafinil isn’t fatal unless the formulation is taken with other drugs that can enhance its effect on the heart and blood pressure. The typical manifestations of an overdose include anxiety, agitation, tremor, inability to fall asleep, diarrhea, vomiting, and so on. There is no antidote so the treatment is aimed at the elimination of occurring symptoms. The first measure that can be undertaken not later than an hour after the increased dosage intake is induction of vomiting.

Dependence and abuse potential

Low

Precautions

Before starting the use of the medication it is important to detect the cause of the symptoms. Before getting Modafinil, women of childbearing age must make sure they are not pregnant. The pills are taken only in the morning or persistent trouble falling asleep can develop.

Before starting the use of the medication it is important to detect the cause of the symptoms. Before getting Waklert, women of childbearing age must make sure they are not pregnant. The pills are taken only in the morning or persistent trouble falling asleep can develop.

Interactions

Modafinil significantly lowers the effect of hormonal contraceptives and other drugs that contain estrogens. The medication lowers the effect of cyclosporine and other formulations metabolized with CYP3A4 enzyme. Consult your doctor if you take any medicines or supplements when you plan to buy Modafinil.

Waklert substantially lowers the effect of hormonal contraceptives and other drugs that contain estrogens. Women of childbearing age must use other contraception methods when using the stimulant. The formulation lowers the effect of cyclosporine and other drugs metabolized with CYP3A4 enzyme. Consult your doctor if you take any medicines or supplements when you plan to start using Waklert.

Our guide compares two relatively identical medications. You can get either of them at attractive prices from our pharmacy. If you want to get a longer effect with the lower dosage, you should buy Waklert pills. If you want to stick with the more tested and cheaper drug, you can opt for Modafinil.Our guide compares two relatively identical medications. You can get either of them at attractive prices from our pharmacy. If you want to get a longer effect with the lower dosage, you should buy Waklert pills. If you want to stick with the more tested and cheaper drug, you can opt for Modafinil.

Number of pills

Modalert price

Waklert price

30 pills

$59.90

$69.90

60 pills

$99.80

$132.90

90 pills

$149.90

$193.90