Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: MODAFINIL versus PEMOLINE.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: MODAFINIL versus PEMOLINE.
MODAFINIL vs PEMOLINE
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
The precise mechanism of action is unknown. Modafinil is a wakefulness-promoting agent that may have direct or indirect effects on dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, GABA, glutamate, and orexin systems. It binds to the dopamine transporter and inhibits dopamine reuptake.
Pemoline is a central nervous system stimulant that enhances dopaminergic and noradrenergic transmission by blocking the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine at the synaptic cleft. It also has mild monoamine oxidase inhibitory activity.
200 mg orally once daily in the morning.
Oral, 37.5 mg once daily in the morning; may increase by 18.75 mg weekly to a maximum of 112.5 mg/day (divided into 2 doses if total dose > 75 mg).
None Documented
None Documented
Clinical Note
moderateArmodafinil + Estrone sulfate
"The serum concentration of Estrone sulfate can be decreased when it is combined with Armodafinil."
Clinical Note
moderateModafinil + Estrone sulfate
"The serum concentration of Estrone sulfate can be decreased when it is combined with Modafinil."
Clinical Note
moderateModafinil + Sulfisoxazole
"The metabolism of Sulfisoxazole can be decreased when combined with Modafinil."
Clinical Note
moderateModafinil + Erythromycin
Terminal elimination half-life is approximately 15 hours (range 10–30 hours). This supports once-daily dosing for sustained wakefulness.
Terminal elimination half-life is 8-12 hours in children; 12-16 hours in adults. Steady-state is reached within 2-3 days.
Primarily renal (as metabolites and unchanged drug); approximately 80% of the dose is recovered in urine, with less than 10% as unchanged modafinil. Fecal excretion accounts for less than 1%.
Pemoline is primarily excreted renally as unchanged drug (40-50%) and metabolites; approximately 20-30% is excreted in feces via biliary elimination.
Category C
Category C
CNS Stimulant
CNS Stimulant
"The metabolism of Erythromycin can be decreased when combined with Modafinil."