Modafinil is an effective wakefulness-promoting agent that is approved by the FDA for managing excessive daytime sleepiness and enhancing the cognitive functioning of the brain. However, before using this effective brain stimulant, it is important to be aware of its pharmacology and the functions of the body. So, are you curious to learn about how long Modafinil stays in your system? 

This popular medication can stay detectable in your body for up to 60-75 hours. Let us explore the intricate details of how Modafinil is processed in the body and what affects its metabolism and duration of action.

What Is Modafinil?

Modafinil is a prescription medication that helps to treat excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder. This medication is a Schedule IV controlled substance because of its lower potential for abuse and addiction. The FDA approved the use of the tablet in 1998 [1]. 

Modafinil is sold under numerous brand names, such as Modvigil, Modalert, and Provigil, among others. 

How Does Modafinil Work?

Modafinil is a nootropic that works in the hypothalamus (a region of the brain)  by increasing certain chemical neurotransmitters, such as orexin, serotonin, histamine, norepinephrine, and dopamine, which promote wakefulness and decreases the level of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which induces sleepiness. 

Learn more about the working mechanism of this nootropic from our detailed guide, Mechanism of Action of Modafinil. 

How Long Does Modafinil Take To Work?

Modafinil has a quick onset of action within 30 minutes of intake. Some individuals might also feel the effects of the Modvigil tablet within an hour. Some of the factors that might influence the drug’s onset of action are – age, certain health conditions, and dosage. 

Weight and diet can also contribute to the slower metabolism of the medicine. However, if you are facing the delayed effects of modafinil constantly, then it is best to consult with your doctor. 

How Long Does Modafinil Stay In The System?

The duration of Modafinil stay in your system depends upon its half-life.

Half-life: Half-life is defined as the time required by a drug’s active compound to reduce by half. A medication requires 4-5 half-lives to be completely removed from the system. 

Modafinil’s half-life

The half-life of Modafinil is 12-15 hours. Therefore, it will take around 60-75 hours for Modafinil to be removed entirely from the system [2]. 

Based on the process of elimination of Modafinil, a time chart is provided below  [3]- 

Factors Influencing Modafinil Elimination 

The three important factors that influence how long Modafinil stays in the system are as follows:

1. Dosage:

A higher dosage of Modafinil takes more time to wear off than a lower dosage. 

2. Age:

The metabolic rate of a person decreases with age; therefore, older people may have longer effects of Modafinil than younger people. 

3. Kidney and liver dysfunction:

Liver malfunction and poor kidney function can slow down the metabolism of Modafinil. As a result, it affects the Modafinil duration [4].

Modafinil Drug Test 

Modafinil drug tests can be performed by two bodily fluids, namely, blood and urine.

Modafinil urine tests are designed to track the metabolites of the nootropic several hours following the ingestion or administration. They are less expensive than blood tests.

Blood tests are designed to accurately identify Modafinil within 2-12 hours of ingestion. And unlike urine tests, the samples in the blood tests are less susceptible to tampering, making it the most accurate test. However, blood tests for Modafinil are far more expensive than urine tests. One should discontinue the intake of Nootropic 3 to 4 days before the drug test to ensure that the results come back negative. 

With the high levels of specificity offered by these tests, it is unlikely to generate false positive or negative results.

• False positive – The drug test says that Modafinil is present in your system, but it’s actually not there.
• False Negative – The drug test says Modafinil is not present in your system, but it’s actually there.

In two separate clinical studies, 20 male participants were given Modafinil 100 mg. It took 72-80 hours for Modafinil to be completely undetectable in their urine samples [5] [6].

Modafinil’s Duration In Your Blood, Urine And Hair

The duration of Modafinil is different in three different parts of the body. 

•  Duration of Modafinil in Urine 

The traces of Modafinil are detected in Urine between 48-72 hours. 

•  Duration of Modafinil in Blood

Modafinil stays in the blood for between 10 – 12 hours. 

•  Time Period of Modafinil’s Presence in Hair Follicle 

Modafinil may stay in the hair for 12–15 hours. However, there is still ongoing research going on on how long it stays in your system.

How To Remove Modafinil Completely From The System?

One of the important points to keep in mind when safely removing Modafinil from the system is to reduce the dosage intake for a specific period of time. Reducing the dosage strength will gradually adjust with your body to lessen the effects of the medication. However, eliminating the medication suddenly might cause you severe withdrawal symptoms. 

Six withdrawal symptoms of Modafinil are listed below-

1. Decrease in concentration level.

2. Shortness of breath.

3. Low energy.

4. Sleep disorders or difficulty in sleeping.

5. Symptoms of depression.

6. Excessive fatigue. 

Conclusion

Based on our findings, we can conclude the blog by summarizing the following key points: 

• The effects of Modafinil start within 30–60 minutes after administration. 
• The nootropic is reduced by half after 12–15 hours, which is known as the half-life of the medication. Generally, a medication requires 4-5 half-lives to be completely removed from the system. Therefore, it takes 60–75 hours for Modafinil to be removed entirely from the system. 
• There are various factors that influence how long the nootropic stays in the system, such as age, dosage, and health conditions (kidney or liver dysfunction).