Why Isn't Modafinil Used More for ADHD?

Modafinil is a eugeroic—a wakefulness agent that tickles the dopamine transporter and activates orexin neurons. It looks like an ADHD drug on paper, but clinical trials consistently show it's inferior to first-line stimulants. This episode unpacks the pharmacology, the clinical evidence, and the one scenario where modafinil might still have a role: comorbid ADHD and depression. We explore why a drug that works well for narcolepsy never crossed over.