Fladrafinil vs Modafinil: Which Nootropic Should You Choose?

Nootropics, also known as “smart drugs,” are increasingly popular among people looking to enhance their cognitive function and ultimately increase productivity. If you are considering trying a “smart drug,” you may have come across brands such as Fladrafinil and modafinil as potential options. Both compounds sure have excellent cognitive-enhancing effects, but there are certain things you should know before deciding which one to choose.

In this guide, we will shed light on these things, including their benefits, interactions, and side effects, to help you make a good choice.

What Is Modafinil?

Modafinil is a prescription medication that is used to improve wakefulness in individuals suffering from 3 major sleep disorders including:

• obstructive sleep apnea (OSA);
• shift work sleep disorder (SWSD);
• narcolepsy.

However, healthy individuals commonly use it off-label to enhance cognitive function and ultimately increase productivity. As a cognitive enhancer, it is believed to provide the following benefits:

• boost memory;
• increase energy levels;
• increase alertness;
• promote focus.

Unlike coffee and several other “smart drugs” that cause sudden energy crashes as their effects wear off, modafinil doesn’t. This is what holds it dear to most nootropic enthusiasts.

The drug belongs to a class of drugs called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants, and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies it as a Schedule IV controlled substance [1]. It is believed to work by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin, among others, in the brain.

Modafinil is generally considered to be well-tolerated and safe for use. However, it may not be fit for certain individuals, including those below the age of 17 and pregnant or breastfeeding mothers. It may not also be safe for individuals with certain medical conditions [2].

It is advisable to consult a doctor before starting treatment with it.

What Is Fladrafinil?

Fladrafinil (also known as CRL-40,941) is a mild stimulant that belongs to the same class of medications as modafinil. It has been suggested to have cognitive-enhancing effects, and although it is not popular, some people use it off-label to increase productivity. Like modafinil, it works by regulating the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain, including dopamine, serotonin, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), etc. [3].

Fladrafinil was developed in the 70s by French Pharmaceutical company, Lafon Laboratories, and is believed to be effective in treating the symptoms of narcolepsy, SWSD, and OSA. Although its developers claim it is more effective than modafinil and poses a lower risk of side effects, the FDA does not approve of its use as it has not been extensively studied in humans. There is limited information available about its safety and effectiveness in both the short- and long-term [4]. It should not be used as a substitute for prescription medication.

It is advisable to consult a doctor before starting treatment with this drug or any other.

Compare Fladrafinil and Modafinil

Fladrafinil & modafinil belong to the same class of drugs, and while they have a similar mechanism of action and benefits, they also have some differences.

Below is a table showing the unique features of both products for easy comparison.

Brand Name	Provigil	Fladrafinil
What active ingredient is contained in this drug?	modafinil	fladrafinil
What form does it come in?	Oral tablet	Powder and oral tablet
What are the available strengths?	200 mg	30 mg and 80 mg
Is it effective?	Excellent	Good
What is this drug used for?	to treat sleep disorders, including SWSD, narcolepsy, and OSA. Healthy individuals use it off-label to enhance cognitive function and ultimately increase productivity at work or school.	to treat sleep disorders such as SWSD, narcolepsy, and OSA. It is also purported to enhance cognitive function in healthy individuals.
What is the half-life of the drug?	10–12 hours	14-16 hours
What is the average length of treatment?	42.3 days in patients with SWSD, 60 days in those with narcolepsy, and 65 days in patients with OSA.	No info
Is there a risk of withdrawal symptoms?	no	no
Is this a controlled substance?	yes, in most countries	no, it is an uncontrolled substance and it is unapproved for treatment of any medical condition in most countries.
How do I store this drug?	at room temperature of 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C)	No info

It is worth noting that the differences between the medications are not exhaustive. It is advisable for intending “smart drug” users to consult a doctor or medical practitioner regarding appropriate treatment options before settling for a product.

Fladrafinil vs. Modafinil: Difference Between…

Fladrafinil and modafinil are both stimulant medications, and they are used to treat excessive sleepiness and fatigue. They are both classified as eugeroic drugs, which means that they promote wakefulness, increase alertness, and boost energy levels.

However, there are a few key differences between the both of them. Let’s take a look at those:

Dosages

Dosing is everything when it comes to getting all the benefits from drugs. Taking either drug incorrectly may not only make it ineffective but also increase the risks of side effects.

For both drugs, the recommended dosage may vary based on the specific condition looking to be treated and the patient receiving the treatment.

For modafinil, the daily recommended dosage for the treatment of narcolepsy and OSA is 200 mg, to be taken once early in the morning. The recommended dosage for the treatment of SWSD is also 200 mg; however, it is taken 1 hour before the start of the work shift. The dosage may be adjusted based on individual patients’ needs and responses to treatment [5].

For Fladrafinil, on the other hand, the recommended dosage is 80 mg. However, it is always advisable to start from a lower dose and make adjustments based on response to the treatment [3]. Only a single tablet is to be taken per day.

It is important to strictly adhere to the dosing instructions provided by your doctor or healthcare provider and not exceed the recommended dosage. Taking more than the recommended dosage can greatly increase the risk of side effects.

Be sure to consult your doctor before starting treatment with Fladrafinil, Modafinil, or any other drug.

Side Effects & Safety

Modafinil and Fladrafinil have similar side effects because of their similarity in chemical structure. Their common side effects are typically mild and tend to go away without treatment once the body adjusts to them.

They include:

• nausea;
• headache;
• insomnia;
• stomach upset;
• dizziness;
• drowsiness.

It is worth noting that Fladrafinil has some other common side effects that modafinil does not have. They include noticeable urine odor, euphoria, and insomnia.

More serious adverse effects can result from taking either medication. Some of the possible ones include ringing in one or both ears, hallucination, anxiety, and mood swings, among others. It is important to seek urgent medical attention if any of these negative after-effects are noticed, as they can become life-threatening.

Interaction with Meds, Food, and Alcohol

Modafinil and Fladrafinil interact with similar medications. They interact with alcohol, foods rich in fat, and grapefruit & grapefruit juice.

Modafinil (and, by extension, Fladrafinil) may interact with the following medications:

• Antifungals: Ketoconazole (Nizoral) and itraconazole (Sporanox);
• Blood thinners or anticoagulants: warfarin;
• Antidepressants: protriptyline (Vivactil), trimipramine (Surmontil), amoxapine, imipramine (Tofranil), etc.;
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): citalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), sertraline (Zoloft), citalopram (Celexa), etc.;
• Certain seizure medications: phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), etc.;
• Other “smart drugs:” armodafinil, adrafinil, etc.;
• Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors: propranolol (Inderal), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), etc.

Taking either Fladrafinil or modafinil alongside alcohol is a bad idea, as it can cause you to black out. Avoid taking fatty foods shortly before or after taking the meds as such foods are known to affect the absorption rate in the stomach and ultimately affect both onset of action and duration of effects.

It is advisable to discuss possible interactions with a doctor or healthcare provider before taking any other drug or substance alongside these drugs or any other.

Where to Buy These Drugs Online?

There are countless online stores where you can buy “smart drugs,” but not all of them are trustworthy. If you are interested in buying high-quality versions that are bound to provide promote wakefulness, enhance cognitive function and ultimately help you increase productivity with minimal side effects, then you have to buy from recommended stores.

Here are the top 4 online stores that are known to sell quality meds and render excellent customer service:

ModafinilXL.com

ModafinilXL.com (MXL) is a popular pharmacy that is well-known for delivering high-quality modafinil pills at a low price and with fast shipping. It has a large base of satisfied customers and has received many positive reviews on Yotpo and Trustpilot.

MXL provides delivery to all parts of the world except for countries with stringent customs laws. It delivers orders via two main shipping methods: Express Mail Service (EMS) and Registered Airmail. Deliveries to Europe, Australia, Canada, the UK, and the USA via EMS typically arrive within 7–12 business days; those shipped to other parts of the world arrive within 14–30 days.

On the other hand, parcels shipped via Airmail to the same countries listed above typically arrive within 10–18 business days, while those shipped to other parts of the world equally arrive within 14–30 days.

MXL rewards its loyal customers with incentives such as a 20% discount for all payments made with Bitcoin, 20 free pills with every order, and free trial sample packs.

The pharmacy is easy to use and offers multiple payment options, including PayPal, Bitcoin, MasterCard, and Visa Card. Overall, it is a convenient and reliable place to purchase modafinil pills.

BuyModa.org

BuyModa is a reputable online pharmacy that has a history of providing high-quality “smart drugs” to customers quickly. It offers ultra-fast shipping and can deliver orders to locations around the world, although delivery times may vary. In the US, delivery typically takes 4-21 days, while in the UK and EU, it usually takes 4-14 days. Delivery to other parts of the world may take longer, but BuyModa guarantees that it won’t exceed 30 days.

The pharmacy accepts a variety of payment methods, including MasterCard, SEPA, American Express, IBAN, Discover, PayPal, E-Check, and Bitcoin. It offers a 20% discount for customers who pay with Bitcoin; no discount applies to payments made via the other payment platforms.

BuyModa offers free shipping, significant discounts, and high-quality modafinil pills in order to provide customers with the best experience. It also has a 100% money-back guarantee called The ModaMike Guarantee, which ensures that customers will receive a full refund or a free reshipment if orders fail to reach the customer.

HighStreetPharma.com

HighStreetPharma (HSP) is a reliable online pharmacy that sells only FDA-approved medications. It sources its meds directly from reputable manufacturers to ensure that they are of high quality. In addition to brand-name modafinil and its generic alternatives, HSP also offers a variety of other medications for various health conditions.

HighStreetPharma ships orders to locations around the world from fulfillment centers in India or Singapore, depending on which is closer to the shipping address. It uses Express Mail and Standard Shipping to fulfill orders, with Express delivery taking 7-12 days and Airmail taking 20-45 business days. It ships to all parts of the world, including countries with stringent import laws. However, its money-back guarantee does not apply to customers who place orders from these locations.

The vendor provides free shipping and offers bonus tablets and excellent customer service. It rewards customers who make payments for nootropics via crypto with a 10% discount plus 30% additional tabs. Overall, HSP is a great option for anyone looking to purchase high-quality modafinil pills without a prescription at an affordable price.

BuyModafinilOnline.com

BuyModafinilOnline (BMO) is a highly popular online vendor for modafinil and other nootropics. It offers brand-name modafinil and generic alternatives, such as ModaXL 200 mg, at affordable prices.

The pharmacy sources its products directly from reputable pharmaceutical companies and stores them in its Singapore and India warehouses. It fulfills orders from the closest fulfillment center for ultra-fast deliveries using either EMS or Registered Airmail.

Deliveries made through EMS to the USA, the UK, and Australia typically arrive within 7-12 business days, while deliveries to other parts of the world take 14-30 days. Airmail deliveries to the USA, Australia, and the UK generally arrive within 10-18 business days, while deliveries to other parts of the world take 14-30 days.

BMO accepts PayPal and all major credit cards, but it encourages its customers to use Bitcoin as it is cost-effective, fast, and convenient. Customers who pay with Bitcoin receive a 23% discount.

The pharmacy has many positive reviews on trusted platforms like Yotpo and Trustpilot. It is known for its excellent customer service, ultra-fast shipping, and 100% money-back guarantee. If you are in the market for modafinil or other nootropics, BMO is definitely worth considering.

At this point, it is worth noting that none of the pharmacies listed above sell Fladrafinil. This may be due to the fact that it is not well-researched. Moreover, all the vendors listed here sell only FDA-approved medications to ensure the safety of their customers. If you are interested in buying Fladrafinil, you may find it on Amazon and some other pharmacies.

Remember to consult a doctor or healthcare provider before starting treatment with any medication.

Final Thoughts: Fladrafinil vs. Modafinil

Fladrafinil vs. Modafinil: which is better? Well, when it comes to how both of them treat sleep disorders, enhance cognition, and ultimately increase productivity, their effects are similar. However, modafinil is more suitable for use, and here is why. It has been used for several years by people worldwide with no serious complaints, and it has been studied comprehensively and found to be safe for use, even for the long term. This is not to mention the fact that it is approved by the FDA.

Modafinil is safe, well-tolerated, and effective, and most people who have used it confirm this. On the other hand, although Fladrafinil provides similar benefits, it is understudied, and its short- and long-term effects in terms of safety and effectiveness are unknown.

If you have been stuck at a crossroads trying to decide which product to choose between modafinil and Fladrafinil, the former is a much better option.

Always remember to consult your doctor before starting treatment with any medication.

References

1. Modafinil. Retrieved: December 29, 2022. Wikipedia.org.
2. Modafinil Provigil 100 mg Tablets. Retrieved: December 29, 2022. Medicines.org.uk.
3. Fladrafinil Review in 2023: Benefits, Dosage, and Side Effects. Written by Dr. Shabiullah Syyed MBBS, MD. Medically reviewed By Dr. Varinder Kumar MBBS. Retrieved: December 29, 2022. Modafinil.org.
4. CRL-40,940. Retrieved: December 29, 2022. Wikipedia.org.
5. Modafinil Dosage Guide + Max Dose, Adjustments. Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Retrieved: December 29, 2022. Drugs.com.