Adderall vs Provigil

Adderall and Provigil (Modafinil) are one of the most common drugs in use today for treating depression. Although they share a lot of similarities in terms of effects, side effects, biological / chemical actions etc. there are quite a lot of areas where they differ too. It can be quite difficult for someone who is suffering from depression to know which drug to take. Although it is highly recommended that they contact a doctor for medical opinion, some of these drugs can be taken off-label and hence is very popular among business people and the youth.

History of Adderall and Provigil

Both these drugs have their origins in the late 90s and were initially used for treating different conditions. For instance, generic Provigil was developed to treat excessive daytime sleepiness. Therefore, it was ideally used by patients suffering from Narcolepsy. On the other hand, Adderall found its initial use in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, commonly known as ADHD. Both the drugs were granted approval by FDA shortly after their induction.

Comparison of Adderall and Provigil

• As it is obvious from the name, Provigil seems to be more helpful in fighting Narcolepsy whereas Adderall is the first preference for the treatment of ADHD. Their mechanism is somewhat similar in that they alter / inhibit the release of hormones like dopamine and norepinephrine.
• If you are looking at a long term use, then most doctors would prescribe Provigil since the risks of drug abuse and addiction is considerably lower than Adderall. Due to its low risk of developing an addiction, Provigil can be safely prescribed by doctors for a patient with a history of drug abuse. Moreover, it can be bought without a doctor’s prescription as well.
• On the other hand, people taking Adderall over a period has been observed to develop a tolerance towards the drug and hence require higher dosages as time goes by. The increased dosage can result in the patient becoming psychologically or physically dependent on it.
• Adderall falls under Schedule II classification whereas Provigil is a Schedule IV drug.
• Adderall is found to be more effective in improving the cognitive abilities of the patient as compared to Provigil.
• Considering the cost, Adderall is the cheaper option, be it the branded version or the generic one. Generic versions of Provigil may be cheaper but still doesn’t beat Adderall on the price front.