The discovery of Modafinil, a prodrug that needed to be digested by the liver to become active, served as the impetus for the creation of modafinil. Although adrafinil was efficient, the conversion process was lengthy and ineffective. When scientists at Lafon Laboratories in France learned about the potential of adrafinil, they started working on creating a more efficient substitute. They concentrated on synthesizing modafinil, which is armofinil's active metabolite, separately.
The scientists were able to create a medicine that had all the advantages of adrafinil but with a quicker beginning of action, better potency, and fewer adverse effects through extensive testing and refinement. The novel medicine was given the name modafinil. Under the trade name Provigil, it received medical approval for usage in France in 1994 and the US in 1998. Modalert, Modafinil and Modvigil are a few examples of generic modafinil products that are commonly accessible nowadays.
Although modafinil was licensed for the treatment of sleep disorders, it is frequently used off-label for a number of goals, such as enhancing sports performance, enhancing academic performance, and increasing productivity. It may be prescribed by doctors to treat schizophrenia-related cognitive impairment, jet lag, weight loss, Parkinson's disease, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.