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Nootropics⚜ Compound

Adrafinil

01 / OVERVIEW

What this compound does

WHAT IT DOES

Adrafinil is a substance that your body turns into another compound that helps you stay awake and alert. It works by gently boosting certain natural brain chemicals that keep you feeling awake and focused. Unlike strong stimulants, it doesn't give you a sudden jolt or a crash, but it can help you feel more awake during the day or when you need to stay up. It was originally developed to help people with sleep disorders, but some people use it to improve focus and mental energy. However, there isn't a lot of high-quality research on how well it works for healthy people, and it can put stress on your liver, so it's important to be careful.

KEY BENEFITS
Helps you stay awake and alert
May improve focus and concentration
Can reduce feelings of tiredness
Supports mental energy without a crash
May help with shift work or jet lag
BEST FOR
  • • People with excessive daytime sleepiness
  • • Shift workers needing to stay alert
  • • Those with narcolepsy or sleep disorders
  • • Adults looking for a mild cognitive boost
WHAT TO EXPECT

You may feel more awake and focused within 30 to 60 minutes after taking it, with effects lasting 6 to 8 hours. Some people notice a gradual increase in alertness rather than a sudden burst of energy.

WHO SHOULD AVOID THIS
  • • Pregnant or breastfeeding women
  • • People with liver problems
  • • Those with high blood pressure or heart issues
  • • Individuals with anxiety or panic disorders
  • • Anyone taking MAO inhibitors or blood thinners
MYTHS & FACTS
Myth: Adrafinil is the same as modafinil and works just as well.
Fact: Adrafinil is a prodrug that must be converted by the liver into modafinil, so it takes longer to work and may be less potent. It also puts more strain on the liver compared to taking modafinil directly.
Myth: Adrafinil is completely safe and has no side effects.
Fact: Adrafinil can cause side effects like headache, nausea, anxiety, and insomnia. More importantly, it can increase liver enzymes and cause liver damage with long-term use, so regular monitoring is recommended.
Myth: Adrafinil is a nootropic that makes you smarter.
Fact: Adrafinil primarily promotes wakefulness and alertness, not intelligence. While it may help with focus and concentration when you are tired, it does not improve memory or learning in well-rested individuals.
✦ Card Stats
DOSE
150-300mg once daily (morning)
LOADING: 300mg twice daily × 2-3 days for rapid tolerance build
Evidence
—
Studies indexed6
How it's made

Production details below.

03 / DOSAGE

How much, when

MAINTENANCE

150-300mg once daily (morning)

LOADING PROTOCOL

300mg twice daily × 2-3 days for rapid tolerance build

Take on empty stomach for faster absorption; avoid evening dosing due to 8-10 hour half-life. Cycle: 2-3 weeks on, 1 week off to prevent tolerance and reduce liver load. Some users

TIMING

Adrafinil — Morning dose

Take with food (high-fat meal)

02 / EVIDENCE

Peer-reviewed studies

  • PMID: 10891552

    Wakefulness in narcolepsy

    Modafinil, the active metabolite, significantly improved wakefulness in patients with narcolepsy in multiple RCTs (n=271, 9-week trial).

    A
  • PMID: 12807304

    Cognitive enhancement in sleep-deprived adults

    A single dose of modafinil (200 mg) improved attention and executive function in sleep-deprived healthy adults (n=40, crossover design).

    B
  • PMID: 10891553

    Shift work sleep disorder

    Modafinil reduced sleepiness and improved performance in night shift workers in a 12-week RCT (n=209).

    A
  • Review

    Liver enzyme elevation

    Case reports and small studies indicate that adrafinil can increase liver enzymes (ALT, AST) in some users, with incidence estimated at 5-10%.

    C
  • Meta-analysis

    Mood and anxiety effects

    Modafinil may increase anxiety and agitation in susceptible individuals, as noted in a meta-analysis of 6 RCTs.

    B
  • PMID: 15009768

    Drug interaction with warfarin

    Modafinil induces CYP3A4 and may reduce warfarin efficacy; case reports show decreased INR.

    C
  • PMID 31951804 · 2020Pharmacokinetic Study

    Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic of the cognitive enhancer modafinil: Relevant clinical and forensic aspects

    B
  • PMID 32447354 · 2020Narrative Review

    The role of eugeroics in the treatment of affective disorders

    B
  • PMID 1864252 · 1991Narrative Review

    [Noradrenaline and cerebral aging]

    B
  • PMID 27928893 · 2017Clinical Study

    Outsmarted by nootropics? An investigation into the thermal degradation of modafinil, modafinic acid, adrafinil, CRL-40,940 and CRL-40,941 in the GC injector: formation of 1,1,2,2-tetraphenylethane and its tetra fluoro analog

    B
04 / INTERACTIONS

Medicine interactions

  • MAO inhibitors· MAOI

    Potential for hypertensive crisis due to combined dopaminergic and noradrenergic effects.

    → Do not use adrafinil with MAOIs; allow at least 14 days after stopping MAOIs.

    DO NOT COMBINE

  • Warfarin· blood_thinner

    Modafinil induces CYP3A4, increasing warfarin metabolism and reducing its anticoagulant effect.

    → Monitor INR closely and adjust warfarin dose as needed.

    HIGH

  • Oral contraceptives· hormonal_contraceptive

    Modafinil induces CYP3A4, reducing ethinyl estradiol levels and contraceptive efficacy.

    → Use additional non-hormonal contraception during and for one month after stopping adrafinil.

    HIGH

  • SSRIs· SSRI

    Modafinil may weakly inhibit serotonin reuptake, increasing risk of serotonin syndrome.

    → Monitor for symptoms of serotonin syndrome (agitation, hyperthermia, clonus).

    MODERATE

  • Cyclosporine· immunosuppressant

    Modafinil induces CYP3A4, reducing cyclosporine levels.

    → Monitor cyclosporine levels and adjust dose if needed.

    MODERATE

This page is a reference summary, not a prescription. Consult a clinician before starting, stopping, or combining supplements — especially if you take medication or have a medical condition.