Sunosi Vs. Modafinil: A Comparative Analysis

Sleep disorders can negatively impact one’s life including work, relationships, and mental health. Certain nootropics are approved for sleep disorders. This blog provides a detailed comparison between the robust sleep disorder medication Modafinil vs. Sunosi and covers their similarities and differences.

What Is Modafinil?

Modafinil is a prescription-based medication that was approved in the year 1998 for the treatment of different sleep ailments. Modalert and Modvigil are two different brand names for the active ingredient Modafinil, a schedule IV-controlled substance.

Sunosi: An Overview

Sunosi is a prescription-based medication that contains the active ingredient Solriamfetol. The nootropic helps in the treatment of different sleep disorders such as narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea.

Are Sunosi And Modafinil Similar?

Yes, Modafinil and Sunosi, both the nootropics have certain things in common.

Now, Let’s take a glance at the  following five similarities-

1. Both nootropics are categorized in the Eugeroic group (a group of drugs that promotes wakefulness).
2. Both medications are classified as schedule IV controlled substances with a lower risk of abuse and dependency.
3. Modafinil and Sunosi led to certain drug interactions. Therefore it is necessary to consult your doctor before taking the medication.
4. Both drugs have certain common side effects such as headache, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, trouble sleeping, etc.
5. Modafinil and Sunosi are both available in tablet form and are consumed orally.

Differences Between Sunosi And Modafinil

The five basic differences between the Modafinil and Sunosi are given below:

1. Modafinil is cost-efficient as compared to Sunosi.
2. The half-life (the time taken to reduce an active substance from your body by half) of Modafinil is 15 hours, whereas that of Sunosi’s is 7.5 hours.
3. Modafinil is available in dosage strengths of 100–200 mg, and Sunosi’s is 75–150 mg.
4. The efficacy of Modafinil is excellent in comparison to Sunosi.
5. The withdrawal risk of Modafinil is lower than that of Sunosi.

Can I Take Both The Nootropics Together?

Yes, both the nootropics can be taken together, as there were no drug interactions found while combining them. However, it is important to consult your healthcare provider before taking the medications together.

Is Sunosi Better Than Modafinil?

Both nootropics are used for similar purposes, therefore, it is difficult to choose between them. Hence, we have provided certain customer reviews that help you get a clear picture of both.

In the website Drugs.com, Modafinil has an average rating of 7.2 out of 10. There are 504 ratings, of which 64% have reported a positive effect, while 19% have reported a negative effect.

Whereas, in the same website, Sunosi has an average rating of 4.7 out of 10 from 64 reviews. 31% of the customers reported a positive impact, while 45% reported a negative effect.

Let’s quote some of the customer reviews from Drugs.com:

Modafinil For ADHD

Since childhood, I have suffered from underconfidence and daydreaming. Now, after taking Modafinil, my career and my life have changed.

Modafinil For Depression

Modafinil is considered a wonder drug. I was suffering from depression for a long time and was taking anti-depressants. The side effects of the medicine were in-tolerable. I started taking Modafinil for 3 days, and the magic happened. Modafinil saved my life.

Sunosi For Narcolepsy

I was diagnosed with narcolepsy without cataplexy.  I started taking 75 mg of Sunosi daily, but sadly, it didn’t work out. Then, I started taking 150 mg of Sunosi, which started working. But the effects last only for 3 hours, which is a downfall of the medicine.

Sunosi For Narcolepsy

I have been taking Sunosi for narcolepsy for about 6 months. But it didn’t work out so well. The side effects of the medicine are very high.

Drug Interaction Of Both Substances

There are 460 drugs known to interact with Modafinil. Nine are disease interactions, and two are alcohol/food Interactions. Of all the Drug Interactions, 70 are major, 210 are moderate, and 8 are minor.

Ten of the Drug Interactions of Modafinil are mentioned below:

1. Benadryl
2. Aspirin
3. Abilify
4. Ritalin
5. Prozac
6. Tylenol
7. Xanax
8. Lyrica
9. Zoloft
10. Adderall

9 Disease Interactions are-

1. Hypertension
2. Renal dysfunction
3. Cardiovascular
4. Bipolar disorder
5. Liver disease.
6. Psychotic disorders
7. Seizure disorders
8. Psychiatric disorders
9. Cardiac disease.

Side Effects of Sunosi Vs. Modafinil

The noteworthy side effects of Modafinil and Sunosi are laid down below:

Our Final Verdict: Sunosi Vs. Modafinil

We can conclude that Modafinil is a stronger nootropic than Sunosi as it has a longer half-life and is a well-tolerated, well-studied, and highly efficient drug.  Modafinil is always recommended over Sunosi as it is cost-efficient and not only treats sleep disorders but also provides cognitive enhancement possibilities.