Modafinil and Vyvanse | What you should know

When researching nootropics, most researchers and subjects have likely come across the medications. modafinil and vyvanse.

These two medications are used to treat ADHD and sleep disorders, but they can also have some powerful nootropic (brain-enhancing) effects.

This article reviews what you need to know about modafinil and Vyvanse.

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What is modafinil?

Modafinil is a prescription wakefulness agent approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to help increase alertness in people with sleep disorders. The most common sleep disorders it is used for are sleep apnea, shift work sleep disorder, and narcolepsy. [1]

However, it also has several unauthorized uses. It may help with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, and fatigue secondary to other medical conditions. [2]

It is also a nootropic agent, meaning it provides cognitive benefits, such as improved memory, concentration, alertness, task performance, and more. [3]

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What is Vyvanse?

Vyvanse is the brand name for a drug called lisdexamfetamine. It is a prescription medication that is approved for use in ADHD and binge eating disorder. [4]

Vyvanse is a type of amphetamine, so there is a high risk of dependence with the use of Vyvanse, and it is quite potent. [4]

It works by increasing circulating levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, which helps improve concentration and alertness. [5]

Although it is a stimulant, it improves concentration in people with ADHD, allowing them to focus on one task at a time. [5]

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Action mechanisms

Modafinil is a stimulant that acts by inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine by the nerves. This allows higher levels of dopamine to circulate in the brain. Dopamine has stimulant effects that improve concentration and can help people with sleep disorders stay awake and help people with ADHD improve their concentration. [6]

Vyvanse is also a stimulant, but is classified as an amphetamine (like Adderall). Increases circulating levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Norepinephrine has highly stimulant properties, making Vyvanse a more potent stimulant. [5]

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Modafinil versus Vyvanse | Comparison

Although they are different in many ways, modafinil and Vyvanse have some similarities. Here are the main things these two medications have in common:

• Certain uses. Both Modafinil and Vyvanse are used for ADHD. While ADHD is considered an off-label use for Modafinil, it is an approved use for Vyvanse.
• Main effects. Modafinil and Vyvanse are stimulants that can increase energy, alertness, attention, and concentration.
• Prescription status. In the United States, modafinil and Vyvanse are prescription medications. To legally possess them, people need a valid prescription from a healthcare provider.

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Direct comparison studies

There have been several studies comparing modafinil, Vyvanse, and other drugs, primarily for the treatment of ADHD.

In one trial, in adults with ADHD, Vyvanse and other amphetamines appeared to be effective, while modafinil was similar to placebo. Another review of studies showed similar findings regarding modafinil. [7, 8]

Another large review found positive but small effects on ADHD of all medications included in the study compared to a placebo, including modafinil, Vyvanse, and several others. [9]

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Side effects

This table includes side effects that may arise from the use of Modafinil and Vyvanse, taken directly from the US National Library of Medicine database: [1, 4]

Side effects of modafinil "headache dizziness difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep drowsiness nausea diarrhea constipation gas acidity loss of appetite unusual tastes dry mouth excessive thirst nosebleed redness perspiration tight muscles or difficulty moving Back pain confusion uncontrollable shaking of a part of your body burning, tingling, or numbness of the skin difficulty seeing or pain in the eyes

Vyvanse Side Effects "drowsiness dizziness headache dry mouth constipation diarrhea nausea weightloss"

Additionally, both medications can cause serious side effects. If subjects experience any of these, medical attention should be sought as soon as possible, or immediately if the side effect is serious:

Serious Modafinil Side Effects "rash blisters peel skin mouth ulcers urticaria itching hoarseness difficulty breathing or swallowing swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs chest pain fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat frantic and abnormally excited mood hallucinate (see things or hear voices that do not exist) anxiety depression thinking about killing you or hurting you”

Serious Side Effects of Vyvanse “slow or difficult speech weakness or numbness of an arm or leg seizures hallucinate (see things or hear voices that do not exist) believe things that are not true feeling unusually suspicious of others humor changes motor or verbal tics urticaria rash swelling of the eyes, face, tongue, lips, or mouth blurred vision or other vision problems pale or blue fingers or toes numbness, pain, or temperature sensitivity in your fingers or toes Unexplained wounds that appear on the fingers or toes.

Additionally, there is a minor drug interaction between modafinil and Vyvanse when used together. In studies, researchers noted that combining 200 mg of modafinil with ADHD medications similar to Vyvanse caused a delay in modafinil absorption of approximately 60 minutes.10].

Additionally, none of these medications should be used in combination with alcohol or illicit drugs. It is important that subjects be evaluated by a physician for other prescription medications or medical conditions that may also be affected by Modafinil and Vyvanse.

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Our experience

From what we've seen, experiences with modafinil and Vyvanse are mixed. While some people who have tried both prefer Vyvanse, others prefer modafinil.

Vyvanse is more potent than modafinil, but it also carries the risk of habit-forming.

On the other hand, modafinil does not have the same habit-forming potential (as far as we know based on existing research), but many researchers report weak or non-existent effects.

However, many people are perfectly satisfied with the increase in focus and energy they get from modafinil.

It all depends on your body's unique body chemistry and how you handle these medications. It's also worth discussing your concerns and questions about modafinil versus Vyvanse with your doctor.

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Common uses

Here are some of the common uses of modafinil and Vyvanse:

• ADHD. Both Modafinil and Vyvanse are used for the treatment and management of ADHD. They affect dopamine levels in the body and interestingly, elevated dopamine levels provide a calming effect for people with ADHD, allowing them to focus. This is despite the fact that, for people without ADHD, stimulants like modafinil and Vyvanse are unlikely to be calming. ADHD is an off-label use of modafinil.
• Sleep disorders. On the other hand, modafinil is approved by the FDA for use in sleep disorders, such as narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, and sleep apnea. Vyvanse can also be used to help promote wakefulness in people with these conditions; however, this is considered unauthorized use of Vyvanse.
• Binge. Vyvanse is also used to treat binge eating disorder because it reduces appetite. A common side effect of modafinil is also reduced appetite; however, it is not used to treat binge eating.
• Cognition. Finally, both Vyvanse and modafinil have nootropic properties, meaning they can improve cognition, concentration, alertness, decision making, task performance, or other similar factors.

Doctors may also prescribe these medications for other off-label uses, such as fatigue related to other conditions or mood disorders.

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Main differences

• Addictive potential. Vyvanse is powerful and potentially addictive. It is an amphetamine and this class of drugs is well known for its addictive potential. Although there has been one case report of possible modafinil dependence, modafinil does not appear to be as addictive as Vyvanse. [4, 11]
• Applications. Modafinil and Vyvanse, although similar in function, are approved for different conditions. Modafinil is approved for sleep disorders and Vyvanse is approved for ADHD. However, both medications can be prescribed for either of these conditions. Additionally, Vyvanse can also be used for the treatment of binge eating disorder.
• Side effects. As detailed in the tables above, the side effects of Modafinil and Vyvanse differ slightly. Based on anecdotal reports and research, Modafinil tends to have milder side effects, while the stronger Vyvanse may have more noticeable side effects.
• Power. Vyvanse is generally considered to be much stronger than Modafinil. Amphetamines are a powerful class of medications, which is why they are usually only prescribed in very limited cases, such as for ADHD.
• Drug class and mechanism of action.. Although Modafinil and Vyvanse are considered stimulants, they actually belong to two different classes of medications. Modafinil is a eugeroic and Vyvanse is an amphetamine. Additionally, while both involve dopamine, Vyvanse also involves norepinephrine in its mechanism of action.

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What is best for you?

If you are interested in taking Modafinil or Vyvanse, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider first.

Modafinil is generally preferred for its nootropic effects because it is not habit-forming.

However, Vyvanse may work better for you if you have ADHD.

However, again, it is best to discuss these options with a healthcare provider so that you can receive expert guidance on these two medications.

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Modafinil versus Vyvanse | Verdict

Modafinil and Vyvanse are two similar medications, but they have some key differences.

For nootropic researchers, modafinil is our recommendation. Vyvanse is an amphetamine, so it has a higher risk of more serious side effects and may cause dependence.

On the other hand, Modafinil has a very low risk of dependence, but remains a popular nootropic among researchers. In addition, it offers a series of cognitive benefits.

These are some of the reasons why Modafinil is our favorite nootropic.

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