Modafinil helps maintain a state of alertness. The exact mechanism of action is still unknown.
Modafinil exhibits minimal interaction with receptors involved in the regulation of sleep/wake states (e.g., adenosine, benzodiazepine, dopamine, GABA, histamine, melatonin, norepinephrine, orexin, and serotonin). Modafinil does not inhibit adenylyl cyclase, catechol-O-methyltransferase, glutamate decarboxylase, MAO-A or B, nitric oxide synthase, phosphodiesterases II-VI, or tyrosine hydroxylase.