PlainPill

Modafinil side effects

Across 1,613 first-hand reports, people mentioned a side effect 296 times (about 18 per 100 reports). The most common: insomnia, anxiety, headache. User reports show what people notice — they can't tell you whether Modafinil is safe for you.

Reported side effects

insomnia90
anxiety75
headache63
tolerance37
jitteriness28
irritability1
comedown1
hair loss1

What got worse for some people

In their own words

“It did make me focused and alert. I was working two jobs at the time and needed every ounce of energy I could muster.”
HelpedRead the discussion ↗
“I started experimenting with Modafinil recently - taking 200mg a day, first thing in the morning... This stuff genuinely makes me feel superhuman.”
MixedRead the discussion ↗
“I took 100mg modafinil yesterday and I worked very hard. Then I slept really well (I generally do after taking modafinil as long as I take it around 6-7am).”
MixedRead the discussion ↗
“I been taking modafinil for about 8 years on and off. I take 100 mg to 200 mg 5 days a week. It has changed my life.”
MixedRead the discussion ↗
“I tried Vyvanse and Modafinilo and both were a mess. I was so stimulated I couldn’t focus.”
Didn't helpRead the discussion ↗
“Overall I'd say I did absolutely nothing that I couldn't have done anyway but looking back over the day you do seem to get more done.”
HelpedRead the discussion ↗

Is Modafinil safe? What the research covers

AResearch: Strong155 meta-analyses · 297 randomized trials on PubMed
Lancet Psychiatry · 2018
Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Conclusion: Our findings represent the most comprehensive available evidence base to inform patients, families, clinicians, guideline developers, and policymakers on the choice of ADHD medications across age groups. Taking into account both efficacy and safety, evidence from this meta-analysis supports methylphenidate in children and adolescents, and amphetamines in adults, as preferred first-choice medications for the short-term treatment of ADHD. New research should be funded urgently to assess long-term effects of these drugs.

PLoS One · 2020
Pharmacologic treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adults: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Conclusion: Overall, despite a class effect of improving clinical response relative to placebo, there were few differences among the individual ADHD pharmacotherapies, and most studies were at risk of at least one important source of bias. Furthermore, the certainty of the evidence was very low to low for all outcomes, and there was limited reporting of long-term adverse events. As such, the choice between ADHD pharmacotherapies may depend on individual patient considerations, and future studies should assess the long-term effects of individual pharmacotherapies on patient-important outcomes, including qu

Modafinil side effects: what 1,613 users report — PlainPill