Things about Modafinil that you should Know July 13, 2019 bizadmin Modafinil is a medication to treat sleepiness due to narcolepsy, shift work sleep disorder, or obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Because of the risk for development of skin or hypersensitivity reactions and adverse severe psychiatric reactions, the European Medicines Agency has recommended that new patient prescriptions should be only to treat sleepiness associated with narcolepsy. Occupational use Armed forces of several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, India, and France, have expressed interest in modafinil as an alternative to amphetamine — the drug traditionally employed in combat situations or lengthy missions where troops face sleep deprivation. The French government indicated that the Foreign Legion used modafinil during certain covert operations. The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence commissioned research into modafinil from QinetiQ and spent £300,000 on one investigation. In 2011, the Indian Air Force announced that modafinil was included in contingency plans. In the United States military, modafinil has been approved for use on certain Air Force missions, and it is being investigated for other applications. As of November 2012, modafinil is the only drug approved by the Air Force as a “go pill” for fatigue management. Addiction and dependence The addiction and dependence liabilities of modafinil are relatively low. It shares biochemical mechanisms with addictive stimulant drugs, and some studies have reported it to have similar mood-elevating properties, although to a lesser degree. Monkeys will self-administer modafinil if they have previously been trained to self-administer cocaine. As such, modafinil is classified by the United States FDA as a schedule IV controlled substance, a category for drugs with valid medical uses and low but significant addiction potential.