The Effects of Modafinil in People with a Diagnosis of Schizophrenia

Abstract

This review seeks to describe the use and effects of the drug modafinil. Specifically, it presents the research of the impact of modafinil for people with diagnosis and experience of schizophrenia. Recent reviews have shown that modafinil can positively impact on cognitive function in people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. There is emerging evidence for the positive impact of modafinil on negative symptoms, functioning, quality of life, wellbeing, and body mass index (BMI) for people with schizophrenia. Compared to other central nerve stimulant (CNS) drugs, modafinil has a low risk of dependency and few negative side effects; but there are risks of triggering positive symptoms in schizophrenia. A well designed and sufficiently large randomised control trial is required to test the potential of the impact of modafinil in the lives of people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Future research should report participant's perspective of the value of modafinil connected to what concerns them and what they want to achieve in their lives.