Modafinil (Provigil)
Legal Status
U.S. FEDERAL LAW #
Caution : All legal information should be verified through other sources. [see below]
U.S. FEDERAL LEGAL SUMMARY | |
Modafinil | |
REGULATED | Yes |
STATUS | Scheduled |
SCHEDULE | Schedule IV |
CLASSIFICATION | Stimulant |
Modafinil is Schedule IV in the United States. This means it is illegal to sell without a DEA license and illegal to buy or possess without a license or prescription.
INTERNATIONAL LAW #
Argentina #
We have been told that Modafinil is regulated, but that lack of familiarity means pharmacists will sell it without a prescription. (unconfirmed) (last updated Oct 2007)
Australia #
Modafinil is available by prescription as "Modavigil".
Canada #
Modafanil is listed in Part I of Schedule F of Canada's Food and Drug Regulations, requiring a prescription for human use and for veterinary use. (see Canada Gazette article. (thanks JB)
Finland #
Modafinil is not a controlled substance in Finland, though it is regulated as a prescription drug. As of Feb 2011, pharmacies in Finland do not carry Modafinil and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) recommends restricting the use of Modafinil to the treatment of narcolepsy. See http://www.fimea.fi/medicines/fimeaweb, http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/ajantasa/2008/20080543, http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/2009/20091095, ema.europa.eu. (thanks o) (last updated March 11 2011)
Germany #
In Feb 2008, Modafinil was removed from Germany's Anlage III (similar to US Schedule III-IV), and is now available with a presecription (see text of law, article). (thanks M!)
Italy #
Modafinil is available by prescription as "Provigil".
Mexico #
Modafinil is sold in Mexico as "Modiadal" and it does not appear to be controlled. (unconfirmed) (thanks JB)
New Zealand #
Modafinil is sold in NZ as "Modavigil" and is a prescription medicine. New Zealand's Medicines Act of 1981 states: "No person shall, without reasonable excuse, import, procure, receive, store, use, or otherwise have in his possession, any prescription medicine." (see http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1981/0118/latest/DLM55462.html) (thanks f) (last updated Feb 9 2014)
Romania #
Modafinil is reportedly a controlled substance in Romania. One visitor reports that a family member was fined (to a maximum of 3000 Euro) after ordering through the mail. (thanks e) (last updated Mar 31, 2014)
Russia #
Russia has added modafinil to Schedule II, banning it for personal possession, sale, and from most medical use. See http://base.consultant.ru/cons/cgi/online.cgi?req=doc;base=LAW;n=142882;fld=134;dst=4294967295;rnd=0.8965571122244;from=141820-563. (thanks x) (last updated May 6 2013)
Sweden #
Reportedly a schedule 4 drug in Sweden. Prescribed for narcolepsy and hypersomnia and is sold in 100 mg tablets under the brand name "Modiodal". (JM)
Spain #
One visitor tells us that they were able to purchase modafinil over the counter from a pharmacy by indicating it was used to treat their narcolepsy (brand name Modiodal). Cost around 42E for 30 tablets of 100 mg modafinil. (unconfirmed) (thanks jl) (last updated jul 5, 2012)
Turkey #
Multiple visitors have described that modafinil is sold without prescription in pharmacies in Turkey. (confirmed) (thanks A, g) (last updated Oct 6, 2014)
United Kingdom (Britain, Wales, Scotland) #
Available by prescription both from private physicians and NHS. Not scheduled and the restrictions on prescribing were reduced in 2004. Cleared for personal import from other countries. (Source - British National Formulary - The book which advices Doctors on prescribing infomation.) (thanks P) (last updated Mar 2007)
If you have information about the legal status of this substance in any other country, please let us know.
CAUTION & DISCLAIMER #
Erowid legal information is a summary of data gathered from site visitors, government documents, websites, and other resources. We are not lawyers and can not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided here. We do our best to keep this information correct and up-to-date, but laws are complex and constantly changing. Laws may also vary from one jurisdiction to another (county, state, country, etc)...this list is not comprehensive.