Modafinil use for treating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Mean reductions in ADHD symptoms ranged from 15.0 to 19.7 using modafinil compared to 7.3 to 10.1 for placebo.

• Modafinil has shown greater efficacy than placebo in treating ADHD in children and adults.
• Three large trials with a film-coated formulation of modafinil demonstrated consistent improvements in ADHD symptoms.
• The most common side effects included insomnia, headache, and decreased appetite, with most being mild to moderate.
• Modafinil can be administered once daily and has fewer reinforcing properties than traditional stimulants.
• Further rigorous studies are necessary to establish modafinil's role compared to current first-line ADHD treatments.

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