A review on modafinil: the characteristics, function, and use in critical care

Abstract

Modafinil, a wakefulness-promoting medication, has been used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy. Despite the potential benefits of modafinil in improving cognition and arousal in critically ill patients, data on its use in the ICU setting is limited. This study aimed to review the novel usage of modafinil for alleviating fatigue, excessive daytime somnolence (EDS), and/or depression in critically ill patients. The authors conducted a literature review and discussed the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, side effects, drug-drug interactions, and tolerance of modafinil. They also summarized the available evidence on the use of modafinil in critically ill patients and highlighted the need for further research. – AI-generated abstract.