armodafinil

Armodafinil is a wakefulness-promoting agent used to treat excessive sleepiness associated with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work disorder. It is the R-enantiomer of modafinil and acts as a central nervous system stimulant. The precise mechanism of action is not fully understood but is thought to involve inhibition of the dopamine transporter, leading to increased extracellular dopamine in the brain regions that regulate wakefulness. Unlike traditional stimulants such as amphetamines, armodafinil has a distinct chemical structure and pharmacological profile. It was developed by Cephalon and approved by the FDA in June 2007 under the brand name Nuvigil[1][2][4][6].

Brand names

Nuvigil

Other names

(–)-2-[(R)-(diphenylmethyl)sulfinyl]acetamide(−)-(R)-modafinil(−)-modafinil(R)-(−)-modafinil(R)-modafinilArmodafiniloArmodafinilumR-modafinil