Why is Modafinil so expensive?

With the widespread of online pharmacies that ship prescription medications internationally without Rx, many people from such countries like the U.S. opt for them instead of their local ones. First of all, because it relieves them from the need to go to a doctor every time they need a refill. Secondly, because online drugstores are able to offer cheaper prices and a variety of generic medications that are in general cheaper than brand drugs. And thirdly, because there you can buy such medications as Modafinil even if you cannot get a prescription for this safe and effective smart drug from your doctor. Let’s first figure out what Modafinil is to decide whether you need it or not.

What is Modafinil?

Modafinil is an unpatented name of the active agent developed mainly for people with narcolepsy who cannot stay awake without a potent wakefulness-promoting agent or a stimulant during the day. People with severe narcolepsy suffer from unbearable sleepiness as if a healthy individual was deprived of sleep for 48 hours. And this sleepiness results in multiple periods of sleep during the day. Naturally, it greatly interferes with a normal life. But such drugs as Modafinil can help a lot. The mechanism of the medication is not fully understood yet but it is figured out that it influences the levels of the main natural wakefulness-promoting substances in the brain – norepinephrine, dopamine, histamine, orexin, serotonin, and brain neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Although the drug has a very powerful effect not only on the decrease of sleepiness but also the improvement of cognitive functions that can be compared to that of amphetamines, it is considered a wakefulness-promoting agent rather than a stimulant.

The medication can be manufactured and marketed by different pharmaceutical companies, which is why it is available under different names:

– Provigil;

– Modvigil;

– Modalert, and others.

Provigil is a brand medication whose price is quite high. But the medication can be bought much cheaper if you get a generic version, i.e. the same drug made by the company that has a license to use the formula for the production of the same medication under its trademark on certain markets.

How can people without narcolepsy benefit from Modafinil?

You may think that the effects of the medication are needed only in narcolepsy. But, first of all, we all have the same mechanism of wakefulness, so the effect is the same for a healthy individual although the dosages required for the sufficient effect may be lower.

Secondly, the medication is officially approved for shift work sleep disorder and obstructive sleep apnea, two conditions in which excessive daytime sleepiness occurs only due to lack of night sleep due to different factors (stopped breathing and multiple awakenings during the day and night shifts). So basically, if you have to stay up late and then wake up early in the morning and are expected to be energetic and productive, you can use Modafinil like a person with shift work sleep disorder.

The clear advantage of this medication is that it is much more potent than caffeine, it can be even compared to amphetamines in potency as it replaced them in the management of sleepiness in narcolepsy, but is much safer than any other stimulant. It doesn’t overexcite the nervous system, has fewer potential adverse effects even than caffeine not to mention amphetamines, and doesn’t cause dependence.

Although the drug is considered mainly a wakefulness-promoting agent, numerous studies confirm that it improves memory, ability to focus, speed of thinking, reaction, and so on.

How to get Modafinil?

As we have already figured out, Modafinil is a very safe and effective option for people without narcolepsy. However, it could be difficult to get a prescription for the drug. And without a prescription you cannot buy it at a regular drugstore, at least, in the U.S. Fortunately, there are countries where the drug is sold without a prescription and you can order it from there with the delivery to your doorstep. Just find a reliable online pharmacy website and see whether it sells the pills without a prescription and ships to your region. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to use your insurance to cover the cost of the pills, but the cheaper price of generic medication compensates for this in full.

If you worry about the customs, don’t. First of all, they cannot check all of the incoming parcels. Secondly, even if they retain the parcel, you won’t be charged with anything and in most cases, the pharmacy will reship your order or refund you.

How to use Modafinil off-label?

If you don’t have a condition that causes multiple falling asleep during the day, you can use half of the 200 mg pill in the morning. It should be sufficient to keep you free of sleepiness and provide sufficient enhancement of cognitive functions. But if you think that you may use a bit more of a boost and only under a condition that you don’t develop any adverse effects, you can use the whole pill next time. But keep in mind to use the medication at least 10 hours before you plan to go to bed or you won’t be able to fall asleep.