Modafinil is a generic medication prescribed to treat people with excessive drowsiness caused by narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder (SWSD), and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).
Want to get a modafinil prescription online? Find a healthcare provider on Klarity Health and get a modafinil prescription in as little as 24 hours if it’s medically appropriate.*
Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy; a diagnosis, treatment, or prescription is not guaranteed.
Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy; a diagnosis, treatment, or prescription is not guaranteed.
Your provider will discuss treatment options with you, which may or may not include medication.
Klarity Health connects you with experienced, licensed providers who specialize in the treatment of narcolepsy, SWSD, and OSAHS. Select your state to see available providers.
Wondering how to get a modafinil prescription online? Here are the steps to get a modafinil prescription online:
Modafinil comes in an oral tablet formulation, and the typical modafinil dosage is 200 milligrams per day. It’s available as both 100-milligram and 200-milligram oral tablets. Modafinil dosages vary, depending on the primary use:
• Dosages for narcolepsy. The recommended modafinil dosage to treat narcolepsy is 200 milligrams, taken as an oral tablet, 1 time per day in the morning. Modafinil dosages up to 400 milligrams per day are typically well-tolerated, but there’s no evidence that dosages beyond 200 milligrams per day provide additional benefit. For older people with narcolepsy, it’s best to use a lower dose of modafinil with close monitoring.
• Dosages for OSAHS. The recommended modafinil dosage for OSAHS is 200 milligrams, taken orally, 1 time a day in the morning. Oral tablet doses of up to 400 milligrams are usually well-tolerated, but there’s no sufficient evidence that doses beyond 200 milligrams a day offer any additional benefit. Consider using a lower dose of modafinil with close monitoring for older people with OSAHS.
• Dosages for SWSD. The recommended modafinil dose for SWSD is 200 milligrams, taken as an oral tablet, 1 time a day, about 1 hour before the beginning of the work shift.
Don’t take more than 1 dose of modafinil at a time, since this can boost your risk of side effects. If you take too much modafinil at 1 time, you can potentially experience symptoms. These symptoms include high blood pressure, fast or slow heart rate, hallucinations, excitation, confusion, and insomnia.
Modafinil can cause side effects, but not everyone will necessarily experience these effects.
The most common side effects include:
• Chest pain
• Stuffy nose
• Poor appetite
• Insomnia, or sleep issues
• Upset stomach, or abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Back pain
• Feeling anxious or nervous
• Dizziness
• Headache
Keep in mind that weight loss isn’t considered a common side effect of modafinil, but poor appetite and nausea are common side effects that can cause weight loss.
Let your healthcare provider know immediately or seek emergency care if you experience severe side effects, including:
• Skin reactions, including peeling, blisters, hives, or rash
• Swelling in your throat, tongue, lips, eyes, or face
• Yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice) or dark urine
• Swelling in the legs
• Shortness of breath
• Fever
• Difficulty swallowing
• Mouth sores
If you experience any psychiatric side effects while taking modafinil, stop using the medication and contact your healthcare provider immediately. These side effects include:
• Being more talkative or active than normal
• Aggression
• Unusual behavior or thoughts
• Hallucinations
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Mania
• Suicidal actions or thoughts
Let your provider know and stop taking modafinil right away if you notice any cardiovascular side effects, including:
• Uneven heartbeats
• Difficulty breathing
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Changes on an electrocardiogram (ECG)
Don’t take modafinil if you’ve ever experienced a skin rash or allergic reaction while taking modafinil or similar medications. Also, let your provider know about your medical history, including if you’ve ever had kidney disease, liver disease, chest pain, high blood pressure, heart disease, mental illness, or substance misuse.
The costs for modafinil vary, depending on the dosage and quantity of oral tablets. Here is a table breaking down the cost of various doses and quantities of oral tablets of modafinil:
Dosage | Quantity | Per unit | Price |
100 milligrams | 20 tablets | $7.69 | $153.73 |
100 milligrams | 30 tablets | $2.27 to $7.53 | $68.05 to $225.97 |
100 milligrams | 90 tablets | $7.33 | $659.41 |
100 milligrams | 100 tablets | $7.32 | $731.65 |
200 milligrams | 20 tablets | $9.52 | $190.30 |
200 milligrams | 30 tablets | $8.69 to $9.36 | $260.83 to $280.82 |
200 milligrams | 60 tablets | $9.21 | $552.39 |
200 milligrams | 90 tablets | $9.16 | $823.95 |
200 milligrams | 100 tablets | $9.14 | $914.48 |
200 milligrams | 180 tablets | $9.10 | $1,638.66 |
If you don’t have health insurance or have difficulty paying for modafinil, there are several discount programs and coupons out there to help you save money. For example, the free Drugs.com discount card can help you save 80% or more on medications. There are also GoodRx coupons available that can help you save money on modafinil.
Modafinil, armodafinil, and solriamfetol are all medications that are primarily FDA-approved to treat narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea. These medications share similarities, but each has distinct characteristics when it comes to the onset of effect, duration, medication interactions, alcohol interactions, and withdrawal risk.
Medication features | Modafinil | Armodafinil | Solriamfetol |
Primary use | Narcolepsy, OSAHS, and SWSD | Narcolepsy, OSAHS, and SWSD | Narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) |
Onset of effect | Moderate (within 30 to 60 minutes) | Slow (within 2 hours) | Slow (within 2 to 3 hours) |
Duration | About 11 hours or more | Up to 13.5 hours | Up to 9 hours |
Risk of dependency | Low potential for abuse and risk of dependency | Low potential for abuse and risk of dependency | Low potential for abuse and risk of dependency |
Side effects | Headache, dizziness, trouble falling or staying asleep, drowsiness, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and gas | Headache, dizziness, trouble falling or staying asleep, trouble concentrating, and nausea | Headache, dizziness, trouble falling or staying asleep, nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain |
Medication interactions | 519 medication interactions; high risk of medication interactions | 507 medication interactions; high risk of medication interactions | 81 medication interactions; moderate interactions |
Alcohol interactions | Don’t take with alcohol; can cause dizziness and blackouts. | Don’t take with alcohol; can cause blackouts, vomiting, and severe confusion | No known interaction with alcohol |
Withdrawal risk | Varies from person to person; withdrawal side effects can include depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbances | High risk (if abruptly stopped); reducing or stopping the medication abruptly can increase the risk of withdrawal or seizures | Little to no risk of withdrawal |
Providers choose these medications carefully based on your particular situation, health needs, and medical history. Make sure to always follow your healthcare provider’s dosage instructions.
Read through stories from real patients who received treatment from healthcare providers on Klarity.
*Appointments are generally available within 24 hours. Free initial consultations are available only with select providers. Prescriptions, particularly for controlled substances, may require an in-person evaluation depending on the state of residence and current federal regulations.
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Controlled substances may not be appropriate for all patients and any mention of these medications is for educational purposes only, not for marketing or encouraging self-diagnosis. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy. Nothing in this article is intended to diagnose or treat any condition, including guaranteeing prescription medication of any kind or dosage. Not all providers on Klarity Health prescribe all medications, particularly medications that are controlled substances.
If you’re having a mental health crisis or experiencing a psychiatric emergency, it’s crucial to seek immediate help from a mental healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist. You can also call your local emergency services, visit your nearest emergency room, or contact a crisis hotline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, by calling or texting 988 or dialing the Lifeline’s previous phone number, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) in the U.S.