Modafinil is an oral medication that received FDA approval in 1998 for treating narcolepsy, a disorder characterized by an overwhelming urge to sleep. It enhances alertness and was further approved by the FDA in 2004 to address obstructive sleep apnea and sleep disturbances resulting from shift work. Modafinil is widely used "off-label" by college students, truck drivers, and others who need to stay awake when they typically would be sleeping. The drug is also reportedly being prescribed for various other conditions, such as fatigue and depression. Some of these "off-label" uses might be justified, while others could be considered misuse. Modafinil stimulates the brain without causing the jitteriness associated with caffeine or the dependency and side effects linked to amphetamines. It is thought to work by influencing dopamine and other neurotransmitters, including norepinephrine. The drug is marketed under the brand name Provigil.
