Does Modafinil Show Up On A Drug Test?

If you are an athlete or a newcomer to the corporate world, you should always be careful about Modafinil and drug tests. Now, the question arises, “Will Modafinil show up on a drug test?” The guide helps you better understand how your Modafinil drug test might work. 

What Is Modafinil?

Modafinil is a prescription medication that helps to treat excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work sleep disorder. 

The drug belongs to the Schedule IV controlled substance with low potency of abuse and dependency. The FDA approved the use of the medication in 1998 [1].

Modafinil 200mg is available under different brand names, such as Modalert, Modvigil, Provigil, etc. 

Drug Tests: An Overview

A drug test is done to look for signs in urine, blood, hair, or saliva samples. The main purpose behind drug tests is -

• Misuse of drugs

• Use of illegal drugs such as cocaine and club drugs.

• Use of prescription medication in a different way than your provider prescribed [2]. 

Modafinil And Drug Testing

Modafinil is not generally and routinely screened in most standard drug testing protocols. The chemical structure of Modafinil typically differs from that of amphetamines or similar substances in drug tests. The likelihood of Modafinil being misunderstood for different substances is low in different drug tests because of the distinct chemical markers identified in the testing. 

Modafinil is often not checked in routine drug screenings. Therefore, the authority conducts specific drug tests to look for the presence of Modafinil in the system [3]. 

How Long Does Modafinil Stay in Your System?

To determine a Modafinil Drug Test, it is very important to understand the duration of Modafinil in your system. The half-life of Modafinil is 12–15 hours (the time required to reduce the medication by half). The half-life of Modafinil plays a key role in determining its time of elimination from the body. 

Modafinil effects last for about 24–30 hours. However, it takes 105 hours to be removed entirely from the system.  

Some of the factors that influence Modafinil’s duration in your body are:

• Age

• Metabolism and absorption disorders (kidney or liver dysfunction). 

• Genetics

• Bodyweight

• Females remove more quickly than men

You should make sure that Modafinil is eliminated from the system before any drug tests. 

Chart displaying Modafinil percentages during different time limits

Kinds of Modafinil Drug Tests

The only two body fluids where Modafinil can be traced are:

• Blood.

• Urine.

Blood and Urine samples are screened by GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) or LC-MS (liquid-chromatography-mass spectrometry) to validate the Modafinil findings. The exact concentration of Modafinil, where it can be detected, is 2 ng/mL
(0.000001 mg). 

Modafinil Drug Test: False-Positive

• False positive indicates that a substance is present in your system when it is not.

• False negative indicates that a substance is not present in your system when it is.

Modafinil 12-panel Drug Test

Modafinil 12-panel drug test is not so common and is used for the detection of substances like barbiturates, amphetamines, tricyclic antidepressants, and cannabinoids. 

Specific Scenarios of Modafinil Drug Testing

The specific scenarios where Modafinil drug tests are done are-

Corporate World-

There are specific situations where both private and government agencies test their staff for drugs-

• When they cause you to believe you are a drug addict. 

• The drug reduces your productivity and causes you to make errors that may hold you accountable. 

• There are some organisations where the new workers are asked for a drug test. 

Military personnel-

The use of Modafinil among military personnel has increased, as it has been found to increase cognitive effects. Therefore, it has widespread appeal today. 

Athletes-

Whenever the question comes to Modafinil Drug Testing in sports, the situation is quite different. 

There are many International Organisations that believe Modafinil to be a performance-enhancing drug. Therefore, Modafinil Drug Testing is conducted to ensure that no traces of the drug are found in your body before any event. 

Truckers and Drivers-

Modafinil Drug Testing among truck drivers has different reviews. You are restricted from doing activities like driving, operating any kind of heavy machinery, or any activity requiring immediate response. 

Truck Drivers are asked to undergo a 5-panel drug test before obtaining a commercial license. 

Modafinil user drivers should not be certified unless they have been thoroughly supervised for at least 6 weeks while on the drug. 

Legal And Medical Considerations

The use of Modafinil without a prescription is illegal in many jurisdictions. The users should be aware of the consequences and legal implications if they are subject to drug testing in their profession. 

It is also to be noted that the use of Modafinil for a longer period of time might lead to certain medical complications. The use of Modafinil for a more extended period increases the dependency of the medication and later might lead to addiction. The sudden removal of Modafinil might also cause specific withdrawal symptoms such as -shaking, sweating, nausea, vomiting, and confusion.

NOTE: You should take Modafinil only with the advice of your healthcare provider. 

Modafinil Drug Test- Conclusion

Modafinil Drug Testing is explicitly used in specialized testing scenarios, such as competitive sports. The drug's distinct chemical structure reduces the likelihood of false positives for other substances. However, users of Modafinil should always be aware of the legal and medical implications in the context of drug testing. You should always consult your doctor for both the safe and legal use of Modafinil.