Adrafinil

Prodrug of modafinil that converts to modafinil in the liver, providing similar wakefulness and cognitive enhancement effects

Scientific name2-[(diphenylmethyl)sulfinyl]acetamide FormulaC15H15NO3S Molecular weight289.35 g/mol CAS63547-13-7

60 absorption score

6 safety / 10

40 USD per month

5 documented interactions

Check it against something

Evidence level C

Adrafinil with:

75 out of 100

Works better together Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.

Check it against your whole stack →

What it does

mechanism and evidence for each claim

Enhanced wakefulness and alertness

Significantly improves wakefulness and reduces fatigue

Converts to modafinil in liver, then modulates neurotransmitters Evidence B-grade 2-3 hours

Improved cognitive performance

Enhances focus, concentration, and mental clarity

Increases dopamine and norepinephrine after conversion Evidence B-grade 2-4 hours

Extended mental endurance

Allows for sustained mental performance without crashes

Steady conversion to modafinil provides sustained effects Evidence B-grade 6-12 hours

Reduced mental fatigue

Decreases symptoms of mental exhaustion and burnout

Promotes wakefulness through modafinil conversion Evidence B-grade 2-8 hours

Legal accessibility

Available without prescription in many countries

Unscheduled supplement status in many jurisdictions Evidence A-grade Immediate availability

Others take these for the same thing

Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one

Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) Energy & nerve support 250-1000 mcg A 70% Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) Heart & brain health 1-2g EPA/DHA A 85% L-Theanine Calm focus & stress relief 100-400mg B 90% Vitamin B8 (Inositol) Mental health & PCOS support 2-18g (condition dependent) B 95% SAM-e Mood support & liver health 400-800mg A 70% Lithium Orotate Mood & brain support 1-20mg C 60%

Every pair we checked

12 combinations scored by the engine

Adrafinil + Caffeine No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Adrafinil + Creatine Monohydrate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Adrafinil + Vitamin D3 No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Adrafinil + Calcium Carbonate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Adrafinil + Whey Protein No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Adrafinil + Lactase No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Adrafinil + Bovine Collagen No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Adrafinil + DHA No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Adrafinil + Turmeric No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Adrafinil + Milk Thistle May provide liver protection during adrafinil use Works better together 75

Adrafinil + NAC (N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine) May support liver detoxification and protection Works better together 75

Adrafinil + Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) May provide antioxidant support for liver Works better together 75

Dosage

Early morning

Daily300-600mg

Cognitive enhancement300-600mg daily

Wakefulness promotion300-600mg daily

Study enhancement300-600mg daily

Fatigue management300-600mg as needed

Before you take it

Restricted substance. Unapproved prodrug of modafinil. Liver toxicity with prolonged use.

When to expect it

First Effects2-3 hours for wakefulness benefits (slower than modafinil)

Peak Benefits4-8 hours for optimal cognitive enhancement

Deficiency DevelopmentNot applicable - synthetic compound

Toxicity OnsetPossible liver stress with chronic use

How to measure it

$50-100

MarkerLiver function tests (ALT, AST, bilirubin)

OptimalNormal liver enzyme levels

Deficient belowNot applicable for synthetic compound

FrequencyMonthly monitoring recommended during use

What people actually reported to the FDA

CAERS, 2 reports naming it as the suspect

Most reported effects

Ill-defined disorder 1

Dizziness 1

Dyspepsia 1

Heart rate increased 1

Nausea 1

Named as the suspect 2 reports of 2 that mention it at all

Serious outcome 100% hospitalisation, emergency room or worse

Life Threatening1

Other Serious or Important Medical Event1

Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →

What actually reaches you

The label counts the carrier, your body does not

Absorption High 60 of 100 · absorbs well relative to other forms

Delivered daily 270 mg

Cost per 100 mg delivered $0.49 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage

Works better with

3 documented

Milk Thistle

May provide liver protection during adrafinil use

Hepatoprotective effects support liver health · level C

Nac

May support liver detoxification and protection

Antioxidant and liver support properties · level C

Alpha Lipoic Acid

May provide antioxidant support for liver

Antioxidant properties support liver health · level C

What not to take with Adrafinil

2 documented

Alcohol

Increases liver stress and may worsen side effects

Both require hepatic processing and may cause liver strain · major significance

Hepatotoxic Compounds

May increase liver damage risk

Additive liver stress and toxicity · major significance

Medication interactions

Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining

hepatotoxic-medications Major

May increase liver damage risk

What to do: Avoid combination - monitor liver function

cyp-enzyme-substrates Moderate

May affect drug metabolism

What to do: Monitor drug levels and effects

stimulants Minor

May enhance stimulant effects

What to do: Monitor for overstimulation

Available forms

bioavailability compared

Adrafinil (modafinil prodrug) 60

Adrafinil (modafinil prodrug): Legal availability, Modafinil-like effects, No prescription needed, Long duration

Food sources

before you supplement

Not found in natural foods Synthetic compound only · N/A

Supplements only 300mg per capsule typically · 60

Bulk powder form Measured doses · 60

Discontinued as prescription medication No longer available as Olmifon · 60

Too little

deficiency signs

Not applicable (synthetic compound):
Symptoms addressed by adrafinil:
Mental fatigue and exhaustion
Poor focus and concentration
Excessive daytime sleepiness
Reduced cognitive performance
Lack of mental alertness

Too much

toxicity signs

Potential liver-related concerns:
Elevated liver enzymes
Liver stress and damage
Insomnia and sleep disturbances
Headaches and dizziness
Anxiety and restlessness

Who benefits most

cognitive-enhancement-legal-access

Provides modafinil-like effects without prescription requirements

300-600mg daily

shift-workers-alternative

May help manage circadian rhythm disruption

300-600mg before shift

students-study-enhancement

Improves focus and sustained mental performance

300-600mg daily

professionals-mental-performance

Enhances alertness and cognitive function for demanding work

300-600mg daily

fatigue-management

Reduces mental fatigue and improves alertness

300-600mg as needed

What else affects it

Beyond other supplements

Alcohol

Increases liver stress and may worsen side effects

Both require hepatic processing and may cause liver strain

How it works

Converts to modafinil in liver via metabolic processes
Modafinil then blocks dopamine reuptake transporter
Increases norepinephrine and dopamine in prefrontal cortex
Modulates histamine and orexin systems for wakefulness
Affects adenosine systems reducing sleep pressure
Requires hepatic conversion - slower and less efficient than modafinil

Key findings

what the evidence supports

Moderate evidence for wakefulness and cognitive enhancement
Similar effects to modafinil but less potent and slower onset
Significant liver stress concerns with chronic use
Legal alternative to modafinil in many jurisdictions

Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02

Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →

Common questions

What are the benefits of Adrafinil?

Documented effects: Enhanced wakefulness and alertness; Improved cognitive performance; Extended mental endurance; Reduced mental fatigue. Significantly improves wakefulness and reduces fatigue

How much Adrafinil should you take per day?

The common daily range is 300-600mg. By goal — cognitive enhancement: 300-600mg daily; wakefulness promotion: 300-600mg daily; study enhancement: 300-600mg daily; fatigue management: 300-600mg as needed.

When is the best time to take Adrafinil?

Early morning. First effects are typically reported within 2-3 hours for wakefulness benefits (slower than modafinil).

What are the side effects of Adrafinil?

At excessive doses: Potential liver-related concerns:, Elevated liver enzymes, Liver stress and damage, Insomnia and sleep disturbances, Headaches and dizziness. Safety rating at normal doses is 6 out of 10.

What should you not take with Adrafinil?

Separate it from Alcohol, Hepatotoxic Compounds by two to four hours. Increases liver stress and may worsen side effects

Does Adrafinil interact with medications?

Documented interactions with hepatotoxic-medications, cyp-enzyme-substrates, stimulants. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.

How do you know if you need Adrafinil?

The marker is Liver function tests (ALT, AST, bilirubin), optimal range Normal liver enzyme levels. Common deficiency signs: Not applicable (synthetic compound):, Symptoms addressed by adrafinil:, Mental fatigue and exhaustion, Poor focus and concentration.

Taken for

52 Brain & Focus

Caffeine · DHA · Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)