Both medications are FDA-approved and have similar wakefulness effects. However, a critical difference between armodafinil and modafinil is the pharmacodynamic effects. It is believed that armodafinil has a longer half-life. Meaning, pharmacokinetic studies show that it stays in the body longer. Studies have shown that there are higher plasma concentrations (armodafinil levels) in the body later in the day. Armodafinil can therefore produce longer-lasting effects and better wakefulness than modafinil.
Studies comparing armodafinil to modafinil have also shown that a 150 mg single dose of armodafinil produces effects comparable to a 200 mg single dose of modafinil. Therefore, armodafinil may be the stronger medication on a milligram to milligram basis. In other words, armodafinil administration may be more effective than modafinil administration in treating daytime sleepiness in people with sleep disorders.
With that said, there are currently no studies on modafinil/armodafinil that clearly say one drug is definitively more effective than the other. However, randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses have found that armodafinil and modafinil have comparable efficacy and safety profiles in treating sleep disorders. Both medicines significantly improve excessive sleepiness and sleep latency (the amount of time taken to fall asleep). Patients with narcolepsy, shift work disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea tolerate both medications well.
A deciding factor between armodafinil versus modafinil may be the cost of treatment. Generic armodafinil is more expensive than generic modafinil. However, generic armodafinil may be slightly less expensive than brand name Provigil. It is best to consult a doctor to decide between the two medications for the treatment of sleep disorders or address any other concerns that you may have.