Description

What is Modafin?

Modafin belongs to the class of analeptics and is used as a highly effective therapy for drowsiness, toning, as well as in some countries where it is legal, is used as a psychostimulant or a sports supplement. Other names for this drug include Modalert, Provigil, Vigimax, Zalux, Alertek, and others. Most often modafinil is used specifically for the treatment of drowsiness, provoked by changes in the rhythm of sleep (shifts shifts, apnea).

Active research is underway to expand the scope of this drug. Possible methods of using modafinil for the treatment of cocaine addiction, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, and also for the improvement of mental activity after chemotherapy are considered. Several companies are also actively exploring the use of modafinil to accelerate weight loss.

Mechanism of action

Modafin has a fairly wide metabolic pathway and numerous studies of the substance have not been able to identify the exact pharmacodynamics, and therefore its mechanism of action remains not fully understood. Specifically, modafinil is a dopamine receptor blocker and increases histamine levels in the hypothalamus. Localization of monoamines in the striatum is also considered one of the effects of modafinil. In the course of a large number of studies on this drug, its effect on dopamine transporters was revealed, and therefore it is considered an appropriate blocker.

The drug is classified as an atypical DAT blocker, which has a slightly different set of effects compared to other drugs of this class. For example, it can be used for active awakening and enhancing cognitive activity without having to compensate for this with a dream.

One of the differences between modafinil and other DAT blockers is the fact that the tyrosine hydroxylase blocker, which neutralizes dopamine, has almost no effect on the effects produced by modafinil (detected during animal studies). In general, the neurochemical effect of modafinil and its effect on different parts of the brain is somewhat different from the actions of typical psychostimulants and provide a reliable and repeatable positive effect on attention, learning ability and memory.