Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic of the cognitive enhancer modafinil: Relevant clinical and forensic aspects

• Tipo: Outra Publicação em Revista Científica Internacional
• Data: 2020

Autores

Sousa, A (Autor) Outra; Ricardo Jorge Dinis Oliveira (Autor) FMUP

Revista

A Revista está pendente de validação pelos Serviços Administrativos.

Título: SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Vol. 41

Páginas: 155-173

ISSN: 0889-7077

Editora: Routledge e Taylor & Francis

Indexação

ISI Web of Knowledge - 4 Citações

Scopus - 6 Citações

Outras Informações

ID Authenticus: P-00R-NGA

DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2019.1700584

Abstract (EN): Modafinil is a nonamphetamine nootropic drug with an increasingly therapeutic interest due to its different sites of action and behavioral effects in comparison to cocaine or amphetamine. A review of modafinil (and of its prodrug adrafinil and its R-enantiomer armodafinil) chemical, pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, toxicological, clinical and forensic aspects was performed, aiming to better understand possible health problems associated to its unconscious and unruled use. Modafinil is a racemate metabolized mainly in the liver into its inactive acid and sulfone metabolites, which undergo primarily renal excretion. Although not fully clarified, major effects seem to be associated to inhibition of dopamine reuptake and modulation of several other neurochemical pathways, namely noradrenergic, serotoninergic, orexinergic, histaminergic, glutamatergic and GABAergic. Due its wake-promoting effects, modafinil is used for the treatment of daily sleepiness associated to narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea and shift work sleep disorder. Its psychotropic and cognitive effects are also attractive in several other pathologies and conditions that affect sleep structure, induce fatigue and lethargy, and impair cognitive abilities. Additionally, in health subjects, including students, modafinil is being used off-label to overcome sleepiness, increase concentration and improve cognitive potential. The most common adverse effects associated to modafinil intake are headache, insomnia, anxiety, diarrhea, dry mouth and raise in blood pressure and heart rate. Infrequently, severe dermatologic effects in children, including maculopapular and morbilliform rash, erythema multiforme and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome have been reported. Intoxication and dependence associated to modafinil are uncommon. Further research on effects and health implications of modafinil and its analogs is steel needed to create evidence-based policies.

Idioma: Inglês

Tipo (Avaliação Docente): Científica

Nº de páginas: 19