Adrafinil
Adrafinil is a prodrug that the liver converts into modafinil — a real FDA-approved wakefulness medication. Adrafinil itself was withdrawn from the French market in 2011 for an unfavorable risk/benefit ratio, is not FDA-approved, is not a lawful dietary supplement in the US, and is banned in sport (WADA). Because the body has to do an extra hepatic conversion step, adrafinil is associated with greater liver-enzyme elevation than modafinil itself, with no offsetting clinical advantage.
Research compound — not an approved drug or dietary supplement
This compound is sold for research and is not FDA-approved for human use or as a dietary supplement. Human evidence is limited; purity and dosing of consumer products are unverified. The data below is an evidence review for education only — talk to a clinician before considering it.
Quick decision guide
May help most
No one. If a clinician determines modafinil is appropriate for narcolepsy, shift-work disorder, or off-label fatigue, prescribed modafinil is safer than grey-market adrafinil.
Common dosing range
Historically 600–900 mg/day for elderly vigilance disorders (France, withdrawn 2011). Online grey-market doses are 300–1,200 mg/day — none of which is FDA-evaluated for safety or efficacy.
When to expect effects
Acute wakefulness within 1–3 hours of dosing (via modafinil conversion); cognitive effects similar to modafinil.
Watch out for
Hepatotoxicity is the main concern — adrafinil adds a mandatory liver conversion step that modafinil skips. Chronic use can elevate liver enzymes. Use modafinil under medical supervision instead.
Evidence snapshot
What is it
Adrafinil is a synthetic wakefulness-promoting compound developed in France in the 1970s. In the body, it is metabolized in the liver to modafinil, the active drug used in many countries (including the US) to treat narcolepsy and other sleep disorders. Adrafinil is unregulated in the US and sold as a supplement, while modafinil is a prescription medication.
Is it worth it for you?
Use this as a quick fit check, not a diagnosis.
Worth considering if…
Probably skip if…
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
Long-term safety profile vs modafinil Strong Evidence | Adrafinil produces measurably higher transaminase elevation than modafinil at therapeutically equivalent doses | Anyone deciding between adrafinil and prescribed modafinil should choose modafinil | Liver enzyme changes over weeks to months of use |
Wakefulness via modafinil conversion Good Evidence | Modafinil 100–400 mg/day produces clinically meaningful wakefulness improvements; ~1.4–2 g adrafinil approximates that exposure | If a clinician confirms a wakefulness diagnosis, use prescribed modafinil — not adrafinil | 1–3 hours acute; full effect within days |
Cognitive enhancement in healthy adults Limited Evidence | Small effect on attention and executive function in sleep-restricted adults; minimal effect when well-rested | Not recommended — well-rested healthy adults get little benefit and assume liver risk | Acute (single dose) |
Long-term safety profile vs modafinil
- Effect
- Adrafinil produces measurably higher transaminase elevation than modafinil at therapeutically equivalent doses
- Best fit
- Anyone deciding between adrafinil and prescribed modafinil should choose modafinil
- Time
- Liver enzyme changes over weeks to months of use
Wakefulness via modafinil conversion
- Effect
- Modafinil 100–400 mg/day produces clinically meaningful wakefulness improvements; ~1.4–2 g adrafinil approximates that exposure
- Best fit
- If a clinician confirms a wakefulness diagnosis, use prescribed modafinil — not adrafinil
- Time
- 1–3 hours acute; full effect within days
Cognitive enhancement in healthy adults
- Effect
- Small effect on attention and executive function in sleep-restricted adults; minimal effect when well-rested
- Best fit
- Not recommended — well-rested healthy adults get little benefit and assume liver risk
- Time
- Acute (single dose)
Evidence for 3 uses
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
Long-term safety profile vs modafinil
Mechanism onlyThis is a safety claim, not a benefit, but it's where adrafinil-vs-modafinil cleanly tilts: adrafinil's mandatory liver conversion produces greater transaminase elevation than modafinil. Olmifon was withdrawn from the French market in September 2011 because its risk/benefit profile was judged unfavorable relative to direct modafinil dosing. The LiverTox database notes adrafinil's higher hepatic-enzyme signal.
Bottom line: There is no clinical reason to prefer the prodrug over modafinil itself.
Wakefulness via modafinil conversion
Supplement benefitAdrafinil acts entirely through its modafinil metabolite, and modafinil is FDA-approved for excessive daytime sleepiness from narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift-work disorder. Older French elderly-vigilance trials of adrafinil at 600–900 mg/day showed improvements in attention and reaction time. Modafinil itself, at lower mg-equivalent doses, achieves the same wakefulness with less hepatic load — there is no biological reason to prefer the prodrug.
Bottom line: The wakefulness effect is real because the body converts adrafinil to modafinil. If you actually need the effect, get a prescription for modafinil itself.
Cognitive enhancement in healthy adults
Supplement benefitModafinil meta-analyses in healthy non-sleep-deprived adults show small improvements in executive function and learning, particularly during sleep restriction. There are no modern placebo-controlled RCTs of adrafinil specifically in healthy adults; the cognitive case rests entirely on extrapolation from modafinil literature. The acute cognitive gains do not justify the chronic hepatic exposure unique to the prodrug.
Bottom line: Modest cognitive lift on extrapolation; not worth chronic liver risk for routine 'nootropic' use.
How it works
How to take it
What to track
Bottom line: If you actually need a wakefulness drug, ask a clinician for modafinil. Adrafinil offers no advantage and adds avoidable liver risk.
4 commercial forms
Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.
Olmifon (300 mg tablets, France)
HistoricalThe originator pharmaceutical product (Laboratoire Lafon). Marketed in France 1985–2011 for vigilance disorders in the elderly at 600–900 mg/day. Voluntarily withdrawn September 2011 for unfavorable risk/benefit.
Reference formulation; no longer commercially available.
Bulk powder / capsules ('research chemical')
AvoidSold online via grey-market 'nootropic' vendors. Not FDA-approved as a drug, not a lawful dietary supplement. Identity and purity are unverified.
Same biological exposure as Olmifon if pure — that's a big 'if'.
Modafinil (prescription)
Preferred alternativeFDA-approved (1998) for narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift-work disorder. Same active wakefulness mechanism as adrafinil's metabolite, with less hepatic burden, defined potency, and clinician oversight.
Skips the adrafinil-to-modafinil conversion step that loads the liver.
Armodafinil (prescription)
Preferred alternativeFDA-approved enantiomer of modafinil. Longer effective duration than modafinil; similar safety profile. Same indications and prescriber requirements.
Same hepatic-friendliness advantages as modafinil.
Safety
Know the common side effects, key cautions, and who should avoid it.
Common side effects
Serious risks
Hepatotoxicity — adrafinil's mandatory liver conversion produces greater transaminase elevation than modafinil. A case report describes orofacial dyskinesia after 10 months of 900 mg/day. Chronic use without LFT monitoring is reckless.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome / toxic epidermal necrolysis — rare but recognized risk with modafinil-family drugs, including life-threatening skin reactions. Discontinue at the first sign of rash.
Psychiatric reactions — anxiety, agitation, mania, suicidal ideation, and psychosis have been reported with modafinil and presumably with adrafinil.
Cardiovascular effects — modafinil-family drugs raise heart rate and blood pressure; chest pain, palpitations, and rare arrhythmia reported.
Grey-market product quality — adrafinil sold online is not FDA-tested; identity, purity, and dose accuracy are unverified.
Who should avoid it
- Anyone with liver disease, abnormal LFTs, hepatitis, alcohol use disorder, or who takes other hepatotoxic medications.
- Pregnant or potentially pregnant women — modafinil is associated with major congenital malformations (FDA Pregnancy Category C / contraindicated in pregnancy in EU label).
- Athletes subject to WADA testing — banned in competition since 2004.
- People with cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, arrhythmia, mitral valve prolapse, or recent MI.
- Anyone with a history of psychosis, mania, severe anxiety, or substance use disorder.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Avoid in pregnancy and lactation. The active metabolite modafinil is associated with a higher risk of major congenital malformations (cardiac defects, hypospadias) and is contraindicated in pregnancy in the EU label. There is zero pregnancy safety data for adrafinil itself; assume the same risk.
Bottom line: Not FDA-approved, not a lawful dietary supplement, banned in sport, withdrawn from the French market for poor risk/benefit, and harder on the liver than modafinil. Skip it — use prescribed modafinil if a clinician agrees you need it.
Interactions
Modafinil (and therefore adrafinil) induces CYP3A4, reducing contraceptive hormone levels. Use a backup non-hormonal method during and for 1 month after stopping.
Modafinil can alter warfarin metabolism through CYP2C9 effects; check INR more frequently when starting or stopping.
CYP3A4 induction can lower levels of these immunosuppressants and cause organ-transplant rejection.
Adds to hepatic stress; mask sedating effects of alcohol leading to over-drinking.
Theoretical hypertensive interaction; combined sympathomimetic load.
Additive cardiovascular stimulation; raises heart rate, blood pressure, and arrhythmia risk.
Cumulative hepatic stress; routine LFT monitoring is essential if combined.
Choosing a product
What to look for on the label — and what to be skeptical of.
Look for…
Be skeptical of…
Frequently asked questions
How is adrafinil different from modafinil?⌄
Adrafinil is a prodrug that converts to modafinil in the liver. It is less efficient, requires higher doses, and adds liver enzyme burden. Modafinil is the prescription form used clinically.
Is adrafinil legal?⌄
Adrafinil is unregulated in the US and sold as a supplement, while modafinil is prescription-only. Many other countries restrict both. It is banned in competitive sports by WADA.
Will adrafinil hurt my liver?⌄
Long-term and high-dose use can elevate liver enzymes. Periodic liver function tests are recommended for regular users. People with liver disease should avoid adrafinil.
How quickly does adrafinil work?⌄
Effects typically begin 1-3 hours after dosing due to the time needed for hepatic conversion to modafinil. Effects can last 8-12 hours or longer.
Will adrafinil affect my birth control pill?⌄
Yes. Modafinil (and therefore adrafinil) induces liver enzymes that metabolize hormonal contraceptives, reducing their effectiveness. Use additional non-hormonal contraception.
References by claim
Wakefulness via modafinil conversion
Safety
Track Adrafinil with Pilora
Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.
Coming to App StoreDisclaimer: This compound is not approved by the FDA for human use and is not a dietary supplement. This page is an educational review of available research — much of it preclinical or early-stage — not a recommendation to use it. Consumer product quality is unregulated. Consult a qualified clinician.