Wakefulness-promoting agent

A wakefulness-promoting agent (or wakefulness-promoting drug), also known as a eugeroic (originally "eugrégorique" or "eugregoric"),[1] is a type of drug which specifically improves wakefulness and alertness.[2][3] They are used mainly in the treatment of sleeping disorders, excessive daytime sleepiness and narcolepsy.[2][3] They are also used to counteract fatigue and lethargy and to increase motivation and productivity. Wakefulness-promoting agents are said to have a low or very low addictive potential.[2][3]

The prototypical eugeroic is modafinil, and other drugs include adrafinil and armodafinil. Modafinil and armodafinil have been found to act as selective, weak, atypical dopamine reuptake inhibitors.[2][3] Adrafinil is a prodrug of modafinil, and hence also acts in this way.

The functional opposites of wakefulness-promoting agents are hypnotics, such as centrally-acting antihistamines (H1 receptor antagonists) and suvorexant, an orexin receptor antagonist.

Examples

The chemical structure of modafinil, the prototypical drug of this class.

Marketed

Discontinued

Never marketed

See also

References

  1. ↑ Milgram, Norton W.; Callahan, Heather; Siwak, Christina (2006). "Adrafinil: A Novel Vigilance Promoting Agent". CNS Drug Reviews 5 (3): 193–212. doi:10.1111/j.1527-3458.1999.tb00100.x. ISSN 1080-563X.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Provigil: Prescribing information" (PDF). United States Food and Drug Administration. Cephalon, Inc. January 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Nuvigil: Prescribing information" (PDF). United States Food and Drug Administration. Cephalon, Inc. April 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2015.


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