Olmifon, CRL-40028 · Evidence-based safety and harm-reduction overview.
| Also known as | Olmifon, CRL-40028 |
| Category | Nootropic |
| controlled_status | Unscheduled US (but unapproved) |
| approval_status | Not FDA-approved; discontinued in France |
| primary_concern | Hepatic enzyme elevation and liver risk |
| US legal status | Adrafinil is not FDA-approved and is unscheduled in the United States, where it is sold online as an unregulated supplement or research chemical. It is a prodrug that the body converts to modafinil, but it is not approved for any medical use and is banned by many sports anti-doping bodies. |
Adrafinil is a synthetic wakefulness-promoting prodrug that is metabolized in the liver into modafinil. It was historically prescribed in France as Olmifon but has since been discontinued there.
Adrafinil is a prodrug metabolized via hepatic pathways into modafinil, so its ultimate mechanisms are those of modafinil: dopamine reuptake inhibition and effects on adrenergic systems. The conversion requires liver function, making hepatic metabolism a critical aspect of its pharmacology.
Adrafinil was developed in France and approved as Olmifon in the 1980s for daytime sleepiness and fatigue. It was discontinued in France in 2011 due to safety concerns including liver enzyme elevation, though it remains marketed in some other countries and available online.
Because adrafinil converts to modafinil, research suggests it produces similar wakefulness effects, though human studies on adrafinil itself are sparse and mostly older. Studies report that it must be metabolized by the liver, which raises concerns about hepatic stress, and high-quality modern human data are largely lacking.
Historical clinical use in France involved doses of 100-300 mg once or twice daily. Studies examining liver enzyme effects often used doses in this range but focused on monitoring hepatic function.
This is general research/context information, not medical advice or a recommended protocol.
Adrafinil should not be combined with other liver-metabolized compounds or substances without medical oversight, due to hepatic burden and lack of safety data.
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Compare testing optionsNo, but the body converts adrafinil into modafinil, so it produces similar effects while adding liver-processing burden.
Adrafinil is unscheduled and not FDA-approved; it is sold online without regulation, which means no guarantee of safety or quality.
We do not give dosing guidance. Consult a clinician, and be aware of the documented liver risk.
It was discontinued in 2011 due to safety concerns, including liver enzyme elevation and rare but serious adverse effects.
No. Adrafinil is metabolized by the liver and has been linked to hepatic enzyme elevation, making it inappropriate for those with liver conditions.
If someone uses it despite the risks, baseline and periodic liver enzyme testing through a clinician would be prudent.
Medical & legal disclaimer. This site is for informational and harm-reduction purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional. The compounds discussed are largely not approved by the FDA for human use and many are sold strictly as research chemicals 'not for human consumption.' Nothing here is an endorsement to purchase, possess, or use any substance. Laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a qualified physician and follow the law where you live.
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