Provigil (Modafinil) at a glance: schedule, half-life, and class
- Generic name
- Modafinil
- Brand names
- Provigil; related armodafinil (Nuvigil)
- Drug class
- Wakefulness-promoting agent
- US legal status
- Schedule IV, prescription only
- Approved uses
- Excessive sleepiness from narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, shift work disorder
- Forms
- Tablets
- Onset
- About 1 hour; peak 2 to 4 hours
- Half-life
- About 15 hours
- Broken down by
- Liver (CYP3A4); induces CYP3A4
- Key warning
- Serious rash; reduced birth control effectiveness
Provigil uses: what modafinil is prescribed for
Modafinil is approved to improve wakefulness in adults with excessive sleepiness from narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea (alongside CPAP, not instead of it), and shift work disorder.[1]
It is thought to work mainly by blocking dopamine reuptake, more weakly than stimulants, and by affecting other wake-promoting systems such as orexin and histamine.
Provigil dosage: how modafinil is usually prescribed
The figures below come from the FDA-approved label and describe how prescribers typically use modafinil. They are not personal dosing advice. A prescriber sets the dose for each person and adjusts it over time.[1]
| Condition | Typical dose | Label guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Narcolepsy, sleep apnea | 200 mg once in the morning | Doses up to 400 mg showed no added benefit |
| Shift work disorder | 200 mg about 1 hour before the shift | |
| Severe liver impairment | 100 mg | Half the usual dose |
Provigil (modafinil) side effects and risks
Common side effects include headache, nausea, nervousness, runny nose, back pain, diarrhea, anxiety, and insomnia.[1]
Serious risks include rare but life-threatening skin reactions (Stevens-Johnson syndrome), allergic reactions, psychiatric symptoms such as mania or psychosis, and chest pain or palpitations in people with heart disease.[1]
Warning: Modafinil can make hormonal birth control, including pills, patches, rings, and implants, less effective during treatment and for one month after stopping. Use another method too.
Provigil interactions: what not to mix with modafinil
Choose what it would be combined with:
| Combined with | What happens | Label guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Hormonal birth control | Lower hormone levels; contraceptive failure | Use backup contraception |
| Cyclosporine, some HIV drugs | Lower levels | Monitor |
| Omeprazole, diazepam, phenytoin (CYP2C19 substrates) | Higher levels | Monitor |
| MAOIs | Possible interaction | Use caution |
| Alcohol | Not well studied | Avoid |
This is not a full list. A pharmacist can check a complete medication list, including supplements and over-the-counter products.[1]
Provigil overdose: signs of modafinil overdose and what to do
Overdose causes insomnia, restlessness, agitation, confusion, anxiety, fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, and chest pain. Deaths from modafinil alone are rare.[1]
If someone may be overdosing
- Call 911 for chest pain, a seizure, trouble breathing, signs of a stroke (face drooping, weakness on one side, slurred speech), a very high body temperature, or if the person collapses.
- Move them somewhere cool and calm, loosen tight clothing, and cool the skin with water. Do not try to hold them down.
- If they become unresponsive or their breathing slows, give naloxone. Street stimulants are often contaminated with fentanyl.
- For advice when the person is awake and stable, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222.
What happens when you stop modafinil?
Stopping modafinil does not usually cause withdrawal. Sleepiness returns. A few people feel tired or low for several days.[1]
- Day 1Sleepiness returnsThe underlying condition reappears.
- Days 2 to 7Possible fatigueMild tiredness or low mood in some people.
- OngoingTreat the causeCPAP, scheduled naps, and other treatments.
How to get prescribed Provigil (modafinil) legally in the US
In the United States, modafinil is a Schedule IV controlled substance. The only legal way to get it is with a prescription from a clinician registered with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), filled by a licensed pharmacy. Depending on state law, that can be a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.[2]
- Refills: a Schedule IV prescription can be refilled up to five times within six months of the date it was written. After that, a new prescription is needed.[3]
- Telehealth: federal flexibilities let DEA-registered clinicians prescribe Schedule II to V medicines after a telemedicine visit, without a prior in-person exam, through December 31, 2026. A permanent DEA rule was under final review in late 2026. State rules can be stricter.[4]
- Monitoring: prescribers and pharmacists in most states check a prescription drug monitoring program, a database of controlled-substance prescriptions, before prescribing or dispensing.
- Pharmacies: a legitimate pharmacy always requires a valid prescription, has a licensed pharmacist available, and is licensed in the state it ships to. The FDA's BeSafeRx tool and the NABP's safe pharmacy list help confirm a pharmacy is real.[5][6]
- Cost: generic modafinil is inexpensive; insurers often require a documented diagnosis.
Traveling: keep the medicine in its original pharmacy container and carry a copy of the prescription. Check the rules of the destination country before travel, because many countries restrict controlled medicines or require a permit.
Can you order Provigil (modafinil) online legally?
Yes, but only with a valid prescription and only from a pharmacy licensed in your state. Many licensed pharmacies, including mail-order pharmacies run by insurers, fill modafinil prescriptions online and ship them. Buying modafinil from a website that does not require a prescription is illegal, and the product is often fake.[5][7]
- See a licensed clinicianA clinician evaluates you in person or by telemedicine and decides whether modafinil is appropriate.
- The prescription goes to a pharmacyPrescriptions for controlled medicines are usually sent electronically, straight from the prescriber to the pharmacy you choose.
- The pharmacy checks and fills itA pharmacist verifies the prescription and your identity, then dispenses the medicine in person or by mail.
Signs that an online seller is illegal:
- It sells modafinil with no prescription, or after only a short online questionnaire.
- It takes orders through social media, messaging apps, or email.
- It asks for payment in cryptocurrency, gift cards, or money transfers.
- It has no US street address, no state pharmacy license, and no pharmacist to speak to.
- Its prices are far below those of ordinary pharmacies, or it ships from another country.
The FDA's BeSafeRx tool links to each state's license lookup, and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy lists verified online pharmacies.[5][6]
Provigil price: how much does Provigil (modafinil) cost without insurance?
Generic modafinil is inexpensive; insurers often require a documented diagnosis.
What you pay depends on the strength, the number of doses, your insurance plan, and the pharmacy. Cash prices for the same prescription can differ several times over between pharmacies in the same town, so check current prices before you fill it.
Ways to pay less, legally:
- Ask the prescriber whether a generic modafinil is available. FDA-approved generics work the same way as the brand and usually cost much less.
- Compare cash prices between pharmacies before you fill the prescription.
- Use a free prescription discount card, such as GoodRx or SingleCare, when you pay cash. These cards cannot be combined with insurance on the same fill.
- For brand-name medicines, check the manufacturer's savings program or patient assistance program.
- Ask about a 90-day supply or your insurer's mail-order pharmacy, which often lowers the cost per dose when your prescriber agrees it is appropriate.
Warning: A price far below what licensed pharmacies charge, especially with no prescription required, is a strong sign of an illegal seller and counterfeit medicine.[5]
Is Provigil legal? Modafinil legal status in other countries
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Prescription-only medicine; not a controlled drug |
| Canada | Prescription medicine |
| Australia | Schedule 4 prescription medicine |
| International | Not under UN control |
Laws change and differ in detail. Check current rules before carrying any controlled medicine across a border.[8]
Common questions about Provigil (modafinil)
Is Provigil (modafinil) a stimulant?
It promotes wakefulness and has mild stimulant-like effects, but it is weaker than amphetamines and has a lower risk of misuse.
Is Provigil (modafinil) a "smart drug"?
Studies in healthy, rested people show small effects on some tasks at best. Buying it without a prescription online is illegal and products may be counterfeit.
Does Provigil (modafinil) affect birth control?
Yes. It can make hormonal birth control fail during use and for a month after stopping.
What is armodafinil?
Armodafinil (Nuvigil) is the longer-lasting active half of modafinil, given at lower doses.
Can you buy Provigil (modafinil) without a prescription?
No. Provigil (modafinil) is a Schedule IV controlled substance in the US, so it is illegal to buy or possess it without a valid prescription. Websites and social media sellers that offer it without one are not legal pharmacies, and the DEA warns that pills sold this way are often counterfeit and can contain fentanyl. The legal route is a visit with a licensed clinician, in person or by telehealth, and a prescription filled at a state-licensed pharmacy. The FDA's BeSafeRx tool and the NABP's safe pharmacy list help confirm an online pharmacy is real.
Sources
- Provigil (modafinil) prescribing information. DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine.
- Controlled Substance Schedules. DEA Diversion Control Division.
- 21 CFR 1306.22, Refilling of prescriptions (Schedules III and IV). Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
- Prescribing controlled substances via telehealth. US Department of Health and Human Services.
- BeSafeRx: Your Source for Online Pharmacy Information. US Food and Drug Administration.
- Safe Pharmacy. National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
- One Pill Can Kill. US Drug Enforcement Administration.
- International drug control conventions. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
