May 22 / 2019

What is better Modafinil vs Bupropion?

Modafinil is a special formulation that promotes wakefulness through the prevention of dopamine recapture by the synaptic cleft. This contributes to the higher energy, alertness, fast thinking, reaction time, and the overall improvement of cognitive functions. The medication’s first aim is to manage abnormal sleepiness in individuals who suffer from narcolepsy, a congestive disorder that impairs sleep-wake cycles regulation in the brain. However, the pills are used also off-label, i.e. not only for narcolepsy but other diseases, disorders, or circumstances when excessive sleepiness occurs.

Bupropion is an atypical antidepressive formulation that is primarily indicated for depression associated with loss of productivity and fatigue. It is also used as an aid to quit smoking as it suppresses the nicotine receptors. The main pharmacological property of the formulation is a selective inhibition of recapture of noradrenaline and dopamine in the synaptic cleft. Bupropion is included in the class of analeptics and is similar in structure to the stimulants methcathinone, diethylpropion, and with other amphetamines. It has a brain stimulating, and energizing effects which are beneficial in therapy of depression associated with hypersomnia, motor inhibition, apathy, and so on.

Comparison of Modafinil vs Bupropion

Both medications have similar brain stimulating and wakefulness-promoting effects. You can find out about their differences from the table below.

Characteristics

Modafinil

Bupropion

Class

Analeptics, nootropics, eugeroics, wakefulness-promoting agents

Antidepressant, analeptics wakefulness-promoting agents, smoking cessation aid

Commercial names

Modafinil, Provigil, others

Wellbutrin, Zyban, others

Form of medication

Tablets for oral use.

When taken

In the morning.

Usual/Maximum dosage per day

The usually prescribed dosage per day is 200 mg. The highest daily dosage is 250 mg.

The usual dosage of Bupropion is 150 mg. If the desired effect is not achieved, it can be increased to 300 mg. The maximum daily dosage is 450 mg.

Legal release status

Rx-only

Official indications for use

Narcolepsy, shift-work anti-sleepiness aid, and obstructive sleep apnea.

Depression with lowered productivity, sleepiness, lack of energy and impaired cognitive functions; smoking cessation aid.

Non-approved uses

ADHD, fatigue and sleepiness due depressive disorder, to enhance cognitive functions in brain trauma, after chemotherapy, chronic fatigue syndrome, management of sluggishness due to other diseases or mental disorders, jet-lag, and weight loss medication.

Bupropion is used by healthy individuals to cope with sleepiness related to sleep deprivation, night shifts, or other conditions or disorders; weight loss aid, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Time of effect

A single tablet of Modafinil renders the effect for 10-12 hours.

A single tablet of Bupropion renders the effect for 12-20 hours.

Metabolism

Liver

Excretion

Urine

Mechanism of action

Modafinil is a selective and weak atypical dopamine recapture inhibitor. The medication increases the level of free dopamine in the brain which promotes wakefulness and cognitive functions.

Bupropion is a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor. It inhibits dopamine reuptake almost twice as strong as norepinephrine reuptake. This action is related to the enhancement of alertness and overall level of energy in the body.

Withdrawal syndrome

Possible adverse reactions

Modafinil is quite a safe medication that very rarely causes any adverse reactions. However, if the pill is taken in the afternoon, sleeplessness can develop. Besides, high dosages can cause nausea and headache. If any allergic response is developed due to the medication use, it must be discontinued as it means that a patient is intolerant of Modafinil or the auxiliary components of the pills.

The most common adverse effects that Bupropion use is related to are dizziness, headaches, sweating, tremor, dry mouth, indigestion, nausea, galactorrhea, loss of appetite, sleep disturbance, anxiety, tremor, decrease in visual acuity, ringing in the ears, confusion of consciousness, reduced attention, high blood pressure, tachycardia, chest pain, fever, and asthenia. The dangerous adverse effects include seizures, anorexia, and allergic reactions. In the occurrence of the latter, the use must be discontinued as it means that a patient is hypersensitive to the drug.

Contraindications

The use of Modafinil is prohibited in: Increased sensitivity to Modafinil or auxiliary substances of the tablets; pregnancy and breastfeeding; Raised arterial tension associated with the use of stimulants; Severe liver dysfunction; Severe heart disease.

The use of Bupropion is contraindicated in: Allergy to the medication; Any convulsive activity, especially epilepsy; Pregnancy and breastfeeding; Age under 18 and over 60; Nervous diseases: bulimia and anorexia; Brain tumors and other cancers; Cirrhosis of the liver; Parkinson's disease; Alzheimer's disease; Nephropathy; Diabetes.

Pregnancy use

Prohibited.

Abuse potential

Low

Dependence development potential

Mild psychological dependence can be developed.

Bupropion can cause mild psychological dependence.

Precautions

You should undergo a medical checkup to find out whether your sleepiness is caused by any diseases that require treatment. It is advised to use barrier contraception or spermicides when using Modafinil as it lowers the effect of oral birth control pills. To avoid developing insomnia, the pills must be taken in the early morning.

Insomnia is a very frequent adverse reaction of a transient nature, and if necessary, reduce the dose or frequency of taking the drug. You should not take the drug at bedtime with the 24-hour interval between the intakes. As well as other drugs that affect the central nervous system, Bupropion may adversely affect the ability to perform tasks that require clarity of consciousness, as well as motor activity and cognitive skills. Patients should be careful when driving and/or operating other mechanisms.

Interactions of Modafinil

- When Modafinil is used with hormonal birth control pills, the effectiveness of the latter is significantly negatively affected so the use of spermicides or condoms is recommended instead.

- Modafinil potentiates the effect of CYP3A4 enzyme which promotes the faster excretion of certain medications including birth control pills, opioids, and others.

- It is highly not recommended to use the medication with any other central nervous system stimulants or drugs that elevate the arterial tension.

Interactions of Bupropion

- Bupropion is prohibited to be taken with MAO inhibitors and Levodopa.

- The adverse effects of the formulation can be enhanced by the combined use with Paroxetine, sertraline, Fluoxetine, diazepam, Clopidogrel, and Orphenadrine.

-The lowering of Bupropion effect can occur in Carbamazepine, clotrimazole, Rifampicin, Ritonavir, St. John's wort, and other formulations that activate CYP2B6 enzyme.

- Bupropion elevates seizure activity, so it highly not encouraged to combine its use with other medicines with the same effect or maximum caution is needed when the antidepressant is used simultaneously with antipsychotics, Theophylline, steroids and some tricyclic antidepressants.

- Using the antidepressant with nicotine replacement therapy may lead to a raise in arterial tension. Besides, the combination of such medicines doesn’t have a mutually enhancing effect on smoking craving cessation so it’s not advised to combine the drugs.

- It is not recommended to combine the use of the formulation with alcohol as it can lower an individual’s tolerance of alcohol and also alcohol lowers the seizure threshold.

- The use of the formulation with stimulants, including illicit drugs such as cocaine can cause seizures.

Number of pills

Modafinil price

Bupropion price

30 pills

$59.90

$42

60 pills

$99.80

$74

90 pills

$149.90

$107

120 pills

$168.90

$138

150 pills

$229.88

N/a

180 pills

$249.80

N/a

From out guide you can see that both medications have positive effects but Modafinil is a better option for the promotion of wakefulness and cognitive functions enhancement as it is designed specifically for these purposes, have fewer adverse effects, and basically do not interact with other medicines. You can buy Modafinil pills at our drugstore with a discount and get free shipping on orders over $170.

(Updated at Apr 14 / 2024)