Modafinil Shortage: A Briefing for Providers and Prescribers

If your patients are reporting difficulty filling Modafinil prescriptions, they're not alone — and the problem isn't going away on its own. While Modafinil is not on the FDA's formal shortage list as of early 2026, real-world availability remains inconsistent across the country.

This article provides a concise briefing for prescribers on the current Modafinil supply situation, its impact on patient care, and practical steps you can take to help your patients maintain access to their medication.

Timeline: How We Got Here

Modafinil (Provigil) was first approved by the FDA in 1998 for narcolepsy, with additional approvals for obstructive sleep apnea and shift work sleep disorder following in 2004. The patent expired and generic Modafinil entered the market in 2012, which initially improved access and lowered costs.

However, several converging trends have created the access challenges patients face today:

• 2012-2015: Generic entry from Teva, Mylan, Sun Pharma, and others dramatically reduced costs
• 2015-2020: Prescribing volumes steadily increased, driven in part by off-label use for fatigue syndromes, ADHD, and cognitive enhancement
• 2020-2023: Supply chain disruptions (pandemic-related and otherwise) affected multiple generic manufacturers
• 2023-2026: DEA production quotas have not kept pace with demand growth, creating a persistent supply-demand imbalance for Schedule IV wakefulness agents

Prescribing Implications

The supply situation has several practical implications for prescribers:

Prior Authorization Burden

Most commercial and Medicare Part D plans cover generic Modafinil but require prior authorization. This adds administrative burden and delays for patients — particularly problematic when patients are already struggling with the functional impact of excessive sleepiness. Be prepared to submit documentation of the patient's diagnosis (polysomnography results, MSLT findings, or shift work history) promptly.

Step Therapy Requirements

Some insurers require Modafinil as a first-step medication before covering newer (and more expensive) alternatives like Solriamfetol (Sunosi) or Pitolisant (Wakix). Paradoxically, this means patients may be required to try the very medication they can't find before accessing an alternative that's more readily available.

If your patient has documented difficulty obtaining Modafinil, include this in your prior authorization appeal. Many insurers will grant exceptions for documented supply issues.

Manufacturer Variability

Patients may report different experiences with different generic manufacturers. While bioequivalence standards ensure comparable efficacy, some patients subjectively report differences in tolerability. If a patient reports new side effects after receiving a different generic, consider whether a manufacturer switch may be the cause.

Current Availability Picture

As of February 2026:

• FDA shortage status: Not currently listed
• Real-world availability: Inconsistent. Chain pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens) frequently report stock-outs. Independent and specialty pharmacies generally have better availability.
• Generic manufacturers: Multiple are active (Teva, Mylan, Sun Pharma, Aurobindo, HAB Pharma), but not all strengths are consistently available from all manufacturers
• Dosage forms: 100 mg and 200 mg tablets. Some patients report better luck finding 100 mg tablets, which can be dosed as two tablets for a 200 mg dose.

Cost and Access Landscape

Understanding the cost picture helps you guide patient conversations:

• Generic Modafinil with discount coupon: $30-$70/month (30 tablets)
• Generic at full retail: $100-$400+/month
• Brand Provigil: $800+/month (essentially never used)
• Armodafinil (generic Nuvigil): $30-$80/month with coupons
• Solriamfetol (Sunosi): $300-$500+/month without insurance
• Pitolisant (Wakix): $5,000+/month without insurance (most patients use manufacturer support)

For uninsured or underinsured patients, the Teva Cares Foundation and organizations like NeedyMeds and RxAssist may offer assistance. Direct patients to our guide on saving money on Modafinil.

Tools and Resources for Your Practice

Here are actionable tools to streamline medication access for your patients:

Medfinder for Providers

Medfinder offers real-time pharmacy availability data that your care team can use to help patients locate Modafinil in stock. Rather than asking patients to call pharmacy after pharmacy, your front desk or care coordinator can check availability and direct patients to a specific location.

Prescribing Flexibility

Consider these strategies when writing Modafinil prescriptions:

• Specify "DAW 0" (substitution permitted) to allow any generic manufacturer
• Write for 100 mg tablets if 200 mg is unavailable — patients can take two tablets
• E-prescribe to the pharmacy with stock rather than having patients attempt transfers
• Provide 90-day prescriptions where state law permits, to reduce the frequency of refill-related access issues

Pre-Authorization Templates

Keep a prior authorization template on file for Modafinil that includes:

• Patient diagnosis with supporting documentation
• Previous treatments tried
• Rationale for continued treatment
• Documentation of supply difficulty (if requesting exception for alternative)

Alternative Medications: Quick Reference

When Modafinil is unavailable or inappropriate, consider these alternatives:

For a patient-facing comparison, refer patients to our article on alternatives to Modafinil.

Looking Ahead

The outlook for Modafinil availability in 2026 depends on several factors:

• DEA quota adjustments: The DEA reviews production quotas annually. Advocacy from medical organizations may help push for increases.
• Manufacturer capacity: With multiple generics on the market, overall supply should be adequate — but coordination between manufacturers and distributors remains imperfect.
• Insurance landscape: As newer wakefulness agents gain market share, Modafinil demand may stabilize, potentially improving availability for existing patients.

In the meantime, a proactive approach — using tools like Medfinder for Providers, maintaining prescribing flexibility, and educating patients about their options — will go the furthest in minimizing disruption to patient care.

Final Thoughts

Modafinil remains a cornerstone treatment for excessive daytime sleepiness, and its availability challenges in 2026 require a thoughtful, multi-pronged approach from prescribers. By staying informed about the supply landscape, leveraging available tools, and maintaining flexibility in your prescribing approach, you can help ensure your patients continue to receive the treatment they need.

For additional provider resources, visit medfinder.com/providers. For a guide on helping patients navigate the cost burden, see our companion article: How to help patients save money on Modafinil.