Conclusion: Modafinil is a promising drug with a large potential for many uses in psychiatry and general medicine. Treating daytime sleepiness is complex, and determining the precise nature of the sleep disorder is vital. Modafinil may be an effective agent in many sleep conditions. To date, the strongest evidence among off-label uses exists for the use of modafinil in attention-deficit disorder, postanesthetic sedation, and cocaine dependence and withdrawal and as an adjunct to antidepressants for depression.
PubMed 16669720 ↗Provigil
People mainly take Provigil for focus, energy. Based on 4 first-hand reports and 2 meta-analyses & systematic reviews in the medical literature. Ranked #797 of 1,974 overall.
Of reports that state an outcome, 100% are positive.
What Provigil does, according to users
Of the people who reported each effect, the share who said it got better.
What the research says
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, with their published conclusions.
At least one meta-analysis, or 5+ randomized controlled trials. The grade measures how much human research exists — read the conclusions below for what it found.
Conclusion: There was no good quality evidence that antidepressants are effective for narcolepsy or improve quality of life. Despite the clinical consensus recommending antidepressants for cataplexy there is scarce evidence that antidepressants have a positive effect on this symptom. There is a clear need for well-designed randomised controlled trials to assess the effect of antidepressants on narcolepsy.
PubMed 18254030 ↗Dosage people report
As stated by users — not a recommendation. Follow the label or your doctor.
Reported side effects
How often each side effect came up across all reports.
What users say
Verbatim quotes, shortened only — each links to the original discussion.
“Personally I have narcolepsy and thought I always had issues with working except once I was prescribed provigil and nuvigil, things came back and I could work again.”
“I use them in rotation with Coconut Oil, Provigil, Caffeine and some Racetams.”
“The drug was effective for me. It basically turned on a light bulb and made me more productive.”
Other options for focus
User data from public discussions; research from PubMed. Information only, not medical advice — talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. Data updated October 2, 2026. How we rate