Sunosi Vs. Modafinil: Which One To Choose?

Sleep disorders such as narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea, among others, can negatively impact every aspect of your life, including your work, relationships, and mental health, and can lead to the development of certain diseases. 

However, some drugs have been approved for sleep disorders. This blog compares the robust sleep disorder medication Modafinil and Sunosi. It covers similarities and differences based on various factors. 

What Is Modafinil?

Modafinil is a prescription drug that helps treat narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder. Modalert and Modvigil are two different brand names for the active ingredient Modafinil, a schedule IV-controlled substance.  

Sunosi: An Overview

Sunosi is the brand name used for the active ingredient Solriamfetol. It is a wakefulness-promoting agent that helps to treat narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea. It belongs to the class of medicines known as dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. 

Are Sunosi And Modafinil Similar?

Yes, Modafinil and Sunosi are similar in some contexts.  Let’s take a glance at the following five similarities-

1. The nootropics belong to the eugeroic group (a group of drugs that promotes wakefulness). 

2. Modafinil and Sunosi are classified as schedule IV controlled substances; therefore, both medicines have a lower risk of abuse and dependency. 

3. Both medications might interact with other medications. Therefore, It is necessary to consult your doctor before taking the tablets.

4. Modafinil and Sunosi have common side effects like- headache, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, trouble sleeping, etc. [1].

5.  Both medications are available in tablet form for oral consumption.

Differences Between Sunosi And Modafinil

The five basic differences between Sunosi and Modafinil are given below:

1. The cost of Modafinil is lower in comparison to Sunosi. 

2. Modafinil's half-life (the time taken to reduce an active substance from your body by half) is 15 hours, whereas Sunosi's is 7.5 hours.

3. Modafinil's efficacy is excellent compared to Sunosi's.

4. The risk of withdrawal from Modafinil is lower compared to Sunosi.

Dosage Guidelines For Both Sunosi And Modafinil

The starting recommended dosage of Sunosi is 75mg, which can be further increased to 150mg based on the patient's response and tolerance capacity to the drug.

On the other hand, the standard recommended dosage of Modafinil is 200mg.

Note: It is important to consult with your doctor and follow all the necessary instructions before taking both medications. 

Can I Take Both The Nootropics Together?

Yes, you can take both the nootropics together, as no drug interactions were found between the two medications. However, it is advisable to consult your healthcare provider before combining them [2].

Side Effects of Sunosi Vs. Modafinil

 The following are the potential side effects of both nootropics:

SUNOSI

MODAFINIL

Is Sunosi Better Than Modafinil?

Modafinil and Sunosi are used for similar purposes. Therefore, it is difficult to choose between them. Hence, we have provided certain customer reviews that help you get a clear picture of both.

According to the website Drugs.com, Modafinil has an average rating of 7.2 out of 10. There are 504 ratings, of which 64% have reported a positive effect, while 19% have reported a negative effect.

Sunosi has an average rating of 4.7 out of 10 from 64 reviews on the same website. 31% of the customers reported a positive impact, while 45% reported a negative effect. 

Let’s quote some of the customer reviews from Drugs.com-

Modafinil For ADHD

Since childhood, I have suffered from underconfidence and daydreaming. Now, after taking Modafinil, my career and my life have changed.

Modafinil For Depression

Modafinil is considered a wonder drug. I was suffering from depression for a long time and was taking anti-depressants. The side effects of the medicine were in-tolerable. I started taking Modafinil for 3 days, and the magic happened. Modafinil literally saved my life.

Sunosi For Narcolepsy 

I was diagnosed with narcolepsy without cataplexy.  I started taking 75 mg of Sunosi daily, but sadly, it didn’t work out. Then, I started taking 150 mg of Sunosi, which started working. But the effects last only for 3 hours, which is a downfall of the medicine.

Sunosi For Narcolepsy

I have been taking Sunosi for narcolepsy for about 6 months. But it didn’t work out so well. The side effects of the medicine are very high.

Drug Interaction Of Both Substances

There are 460 drugs known to interact with Modafinil. Nine are disease interactions, and two are alcohol/food Interactions. Of all the drug interactions, 70 are major, 210 are moderate, and 8 are minor.

Ten of the drug interactions of Modafinil are mentioned below:

1. Benadryl

2. Aspirin

3. Abilify

4. Ritalin

5. Prozac

9 Disease Interactions are-

1. Hypertension

2. Renal dysfunction

3. Cardiovascular

4. Bipolar disorder

5. Liver disease.

Sunosi Drug Interactions 

There are 81 drugs known to interact with Sunosi. Three of them are disease Interactions. 11 out of the total drug interactions are major, and 70 are moderate.

Ten Drug Interactions Of Sunosi are mentioned below: 

1. Adderall

2. Duloxetine

3. Cymbalta

4. Omeprazole

5. Trazodone

3 disease interactions are-

1. Renal dysfunction

2. Cardiovascular toxicities

3. Psychiatric effects.

Cost And Availability Of Sunosi And Modafinil 

Sunosi is not available in a generic form, making it a bit expensive. Modafinil is generic in itself and is available as an affordable option for many patients. 

You can get the best Modafinil 200mg tablets at Healthmatter, a trusted online pharmacy.

Our Final Verdict: Sunosi Vs. Modafinil

Based on our findings, we can conclude that Modafinil is a powerful nootropic that works longer than Sunosi. We recommend you use Modafinil if you require a well-tolerated, highly studied, and very effective medication that not only treats sleep disorders but also offers cognitive benefits.