Modafinil Drug Test- Does It Show Up In A Drug Screen Test?

 

Wondering about Modafinil and drug tests? Think no more. We have all the information that you should know before taking the Nootropic. The significant rise in the Modafinil drug test is due to the increased off-label uses of Nootropic. However, we still struggle to answer the questions like these conclusively:

Does Modafinil show on a drug test?

Modafinil drug test is done in several different scenarios and is predominantly done in the corporate world, in athletes, truckers, universities, and people suspected of overdosing or abuse. Being ignorant about it will only land you in trouble. 

This Modafinil guide summarizes and answers the following question for you in detail.

• Will Modafinil show on a drug test?
• How long is Modafinil detectable?

 

Modafinil And Drug Test- The Basics

Before we try to answer the question, "Will Modafinil show up on a drug test?" let us first get a better idea of the factor that contributes to the Modafinil drug test results. 

If the Modafinil drug test is done after the complete excretion of the product from the body, the test result will show "NEGATIVE." So, how do you know if the Modafinil dosage is out of your system? The answer to this question lies in our next question- 

 

How Long Does Modafinil Stay In The System?

Scientific studies to date explain the metabolism of Modafinil as follows [1,2]-

• The metabolism of Modafinil produces two metabolites- Modafinil acid and modafinil sulfone. 
• It is excreted primarily through the urine. 
• Modafinil acid makes up 35 to 60 percent of the modafinil dose. 
• The half-life of Modafinil is 15 hours.
• Modafinil sulfone is produced in insignificant amounts. 

 

 

The above computation indicates that Modafinil stays in the system for much longer, even after its cognitive effect declines. It takes approximately four days and 7 days to eliminate Modafinil completely.

It is crucial to note the half-life of Modafinil may vary depending on numerous factors. Some of the notable factors determining the half-life of Modafinil include-

• Genetics
• The purity and authenticity of the medication
• Health factors such as renal and hepatic functioning 
• Bodyweight
• Interaction with other medications
• Gender (Clinical studies indicate that females eliminate Modafinil faster than males) [4,5].
• Age ( older people take longer to eliminate Modafinil than younger people) 
• Race [6].

Note: The average time for how long Modafinil stays in the system is for a single dose of Modafinil. Users taking the Nootropic every day will take longer to eliminate the compound and its metabolite from the body. 

 

Modafinil Regulations

Modafinil is a schedule IV controlled substance and is not available over the counter. The risk of abuse and dependency is low; however, it is not uncommon. According to Wikipedia, the dependency liability of Modafinil is relatively low, whereas the addiction liability is low to very low [7].  

The legal status of Modafinil:

• USA- Schedule IV
• Canada- Rx (prescription drug)
• UK- prescription only
• Australia- S4 prescription drug 

 

Does Modafinil Show On A Drug Test?

 

 

80% of Modafinil and its metabolite is excreted through urine [7]. After ingestion of Modafinil, it is available in a testable form for about 30 hours in the urine [8]. It is also detectable in the blood plasma serum. 

Modafinil is not often checked in routine drug screenings. So authority has to conduct specific tests to intentionally look for the presence of Modafinil in the urine and blood. If often common in cases of overdose. 

Your Modafinil drug test report depends on how long ago you took the last Modafinil dosage before the test. Since, Modafininil 200mg takes about four days to excrete from the body, a drug test done on the 5th day or after that will not be able to detect the presence of Modafinil in the system. 

A clinical trial of 20 male volunteers was recorded to take about 72 to 80 hours to eliminate 100mg of Modafinil [9,10]. 

Discontinue your Modafinil intake 80 to 105 hours (3 to 4 days) prior to your drug test to ensure your reports come up negative. 

The chemical structure of Modafinil is different from other stimulants, such as amphetamine; therefore, the chances of a “false positive” report are improbable. 

 

What Kind Of Drug Tests Are Done To Detect Modafinil 200 Mg?

The discussion of the Modafinil drug test cannot be complete without overlooking how it is being detected in the body. The two primary sources of detection are blood and urine. 

Modafinil Urine Test- 

The detection of Modafinil through urine test is designed to detect Modafinil and its metabolite even several hours after administering the drug. They are also comparatively cheaper than blood tests. 

 

Detection of Modafinil In Blood- 

The modafinil drug test through blood can accurately identify the compound within 2 to 12 hours of administration. The detection of Modafinil through blood is more reliable and accurate. However, it is invasive and far more expensive than a urine test.  

Both samples are screened by GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) or LC-MS (liquid-chromatography-mass spectrometry). The presence of Modafinil can be accurately detectable at a concentration of 2 ng/ml (1 ng = 0.000001 mg) [11]. 

 

Modafinil 12-Panel Drug Test

Modafinil 12-panel drug test is not very common. This test is done to detect the presence of opiates, Barbiturates, Amphetamines, Tricyclic Antidepressants, and Cannabinoids (THC).

According to Dr. Muneeb Ali,   

"Modafinil will not test as positive for ANY drug on the 9-panel drug test. Its presence is also specifically NOT tested for in this test. The only way to detect Modafinil on a drug test is if they specifically test for the drug, and that is NOT done routinely [12].”

Reports suggest that it is NOT common for Modafinil to test positive for the following drug tests-

• Modafinil 10-panel drug test
• Modafinil 12-panel drug test
• Modafinil 9-panel drug test

 

Modafinil Drug Test Probation

Probation drug testing is a condition where a standard court order is produced to conduct a drug test. It is often done to identify and monitor people with heroin addiction. Modafinil Drug Test Probation is not common, and it is not very prevalent to get the presence of Modafinil detected. 

 

Modafinil Drug Test False-Positive

There are not many reports of Modafinil testing false-positive in drug screenings. Modafinil has a unique chemical structure, which is significantly different from other stimulants and amphetamine, thus making it very unlikely to generate a Modafinil Drug Test False-Positive. 

Dr. Muneeb Ali from the website Just answers, “Modafinil does not cause a false positive for any drug on the drug test [12]”. 

 

Modafinil Brand- Modalert And Provigil Drug Test 

A drug screening test can detect Provigil and Modalert if they are specialized to detect Modafinil. Normal drug detection tests (5-panel and 12-panel) cannot screen Modafinil and Provigil.

The detection of Modalert and Provigil in the blood and urine is also determined by the administration of the last dosage, age, gender, genetics, and race of the user. People who order Modalert and Provigil without consulting a doctor should cease their administration before a drug test. 

 

Circumstances For Modafinil Drug Test

 

 

Modafinil drug test is more prevalent among drug abusers and the four broad categories of organizations listed below. 

Modafinil Military Drug Test-

The cognition-enhancing benefit of Modafinil benefits the military. In the United States, Modafinil 200 mg is approved for use on certain Air force missions. As of 2012, Modafinil is the only stimulant approved for fatigue management. The special operation Forces (SOF) also uses Modafinil during combat battles. 

The United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence and the Indian Air Force use it in their contingency plans. 

 

Corporate World-

The government and private organizations do not commonly test the presence of Modafinil in the system until they have a reason to do so. Employers test for Modafinil and Provigil in the following circumstances. 

• If the drug is lowering your productivity.
• If they have a drug abuse policy and your administration of Modafinil is violating it. 

It is often very rare for employers to call for a Modafinil drug test for all new employees. Also, Modafinil is unlikely to reduce your productivity, thus making it less of a concern for the organization. 

 

Athletics- 

Many international sports organizations consider Modafinil a performance-enhancing drug. Therefore, its usage is banned, and a Modafinil drug test is done before an event. Some sporting organizations that have banned the use of Modafinil 200 mg are-

• The Olympics [12].
• National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) [13].
• World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) governed sporting body.
• Crossfit [14].
• Electronic Sports League (ESL) [15].
• United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

Modafinil can increase alertness, prevent fatigue, and lower reaction time in athletes, which can be advantageous in a competitive match. 

An athlete caught with Modafinil in their system can be suspended for the long term or even be disqualified from the event. They should never buy Modafinil online without a prescription or discontinue its use a week before the drug test is scheduled. 

 

Truckers -

The benefit of Modafinil concerning driving has mixed reviews. The study involving the effects of Modafinil on driving in 16 healthy participants showed that the use of Modafinil dosage reduced lane deviation. It further had a lower effect on off-road tasks and speed deviation. The clinical trial concluded that using Modafinil 200 mg benefits driving performance in drivers with sleep loss [16]. 

Truck drivers in the USA must undergo a 5-panel drug test before obtaining their commercial license. These 5-panel drug tests are not structured to detect the presence of Modafinil in the system. However, it is best to refrain from taking Modafinil dosage before your scheduled drug test. 

The FDA advises refraining from operating heavy machinery and driving after taking Modafinil dosage. 

The driving advisory by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) on driving after administering Modafinil includes [17, 18]-

• The driver is aware of the effects of Provigil or Modafinil in their system.
• All drivers taking Modafinil should be closely monitored for six months before qualifying. 
• A document from a physician must be submitted to the medical examiner stating the efficacy of the treatment and that it will not impact your ability to drive a commercial vehicle. 

 

Will Modafinil Show Up On A Drug Test?- User Experiences 

Now that we know if Modafinil will get detected in a drug test, let us look at user’s experiences with Modafinil drug test [19]. 

Modafinil Drug Test- Our Final Verdict 

Does modafinil show on a drug test?- let’s tackle this question one last time and sum up everything we have learned so far. 

Modafinil drug test will show up POSITIVE if-

• The drug test is specifically looking for the presence of Modafinil in the system.
• Taking a Modafinil drug test before the Nootropic has been completely eliminated from the body. 

To maintain a higher possibility of testing negative for your Modafinil drug test, ensure to discontinue the medication a week before (min 80 hours) the drug test.