Wakefulness-promoting agent
A wakefulness-promoting agent, or eugeroic, is a type of drug which specifically improves wakefulness and alertness.[1][2] They are used mainly in the treatment of sleeping disorders, excessive daytime sleepiness and narcolepsy.[1][2] They are also used merely to counteract fatigue and lethargy and to enhance motivation and productivity.[medical citation needed] Wakefulness-promoting agents are addictive,[1][2] although not necessarily to the same extent as other addictive stimulants.
The prototypical eugeroic is modafinil, and other drugs include adrafinil and armodafinil. Modafinil and armodafinil are selective, weak, atypical dopamine reuptake inhibitors.[1][2]
The functional opposites of wakefulness-promoting agents are hypnotics, such as H1 antihistamines that cross the blood–brain barrier and suvorexant, an orexin antagonist.
Examples
Marketed
- Armodafinil (Nuvigil)
- Modafinil (Provigil, Alertec)
Discontinued
- Adrafinil (Olmifon)
Never marketed
- CRL-40,941 (fladrafinil or fluorafinil)
- CRL-40,940 (Flmodafinil, Flodafinil or Fluoromodafinil)
- Fluorenol (Hydrafinil)
Wakefulness Reducing Agent
The only functional opposite of wakefulness enhancing agents.
- Suvorexant (Belsomra)
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Provigil: Prescribing information" (PDF). United States Food and Drug Administration. Cephalon, Inc. January 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
- ^ a b c d "Nuvigil: Prescribing information" (PDF). United States Food and Drug Administration. Cephalon, Inc. April 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2015.