Modafinil — Dosing, Cycles, Half-Life & Side Effects

Modafinil is a wakefulness-promoting agent with a half-life of 12-15 hours. Wakefulness-promoting agent for cognitive enhancement. This page is educational harm-reduction reference compiled from peer-reviewed literature — not medical advice, not an endorsement, not a recommendation to use. Consult a licensed clinician before any decision.

Quick Facts

ClassWakefulness Promoter
Half-life12-15 hours
HepatotoxicityLow
Suppression0/10

Typical Dosing Ranges

Common dose range: 100-200mg/day

Cycle length: 4-8 weeks

Dose ranges are compiled from published pharmacokinetic studies and community-reported usage. Where a value is community-reported rather than clinically studied, this page and its structured data flag it. Lower end of any range is always the safer starting point.

Stacking Considerations

  • No structural stacking blockers. Standard harm-reduction rules apply: minimize total androgen load, minimize oral exposure, and monitor bloodwork.

PCT Requirements

  • Never stack two SERMs. Extend a single SERM (tamoxifen OR enclomiphene/clomiphene) rather than combining.
  • Use the cycle planner to generate a full protocol based on your complete stack, not this compound alone.

Side Effect Profile

  • Prescription required
  • Expensive
  • Potential tolerance

Known Interactions

No compound-specific interactions are catalogued in the current matrix. This does not mean no risk exists — it means there is no curated pairwise entry.

Monitoring (Bloodwork & Vitals)

  • Comprehensive metabolic panel (baseline, mid-cycle, post-cycle)
  • Lipid panel (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides)
  • CBC (hemoglobin, hematocrit — watch for erythrocytosis)
  • Sex-hormone panel (Total T, Free T, Estradiol sensitive, SHBG, LH, FSH)
  • Blood pressure (weekly self-check; flag systolic >140 or diastolic >90)

Baseline bloodwork is recommended before any cycle. Discontinue if liver enzymes exceed 3× upper limit of normal or if hematocrit exceeds 54%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the half-life of Modafinil?

Modafinil has a half-life of approximately 12-15 hours. This figure is used to determine injection frequency (for esters) and post-cycle clearance timing.

What is the typical dose range for Modafinil?

Commonly reported ranges for Modafinil: 100-200mg/day. Cycle length: 4-8 weeks. These are compiled from published studies and community-reported usage — individual response varies and lower end is always preferred.

Does Modafinil suppress natural testosterone?

Modafinil causes minimal suppression of the HPTA axis (score 0/10). PCT may still be advisable depending on stack and duration.

Is Modafinil liver toxic?

Hepatotoxicity rating: Low. Non-17αα compound — liver stress is lower but still warrants periodic monitoring during a cycle.

What is Modafinil typically used for?

Modafinil is commonly used for: Cognitive enhancement, Performance, Shift work. Intended-use context does not imply safety — every use case carries the same underlying pharmacological risks.

Citations

  1. FDA NDA 020717. 1998. FDA prescribing information — Modafinil (Provigil) FDA-approved for narcolepsy, shift work disorder, obstructive sleep apnea
  2. Ballon JS, Feifel D. A systematic review of modafinil: Potential clinical uses and mechanisms of action. J Clin Psychiatry 2006

Disclaimer

StackItSmart is an independent harm-reduction reference. The content above is compiled from peer-reviewed literature and is not medical advice, not an endorsement, and not a recommendation to use Modafinil. Performance-enhancing compounds carry legal, endocrine, cardiovascular, and hepatic risks. Consult a licensed clinician before any decision. StackItSmart does not provide sourcing, procurement, or dosing prescriptions.

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