Modatec 200 mg Review: Is Cipla's Modafinil Worth Buying?
Written by Dr. Marcus Bennett · · Fact-checked November 2026 · How we review
Most people shopping for generic modafinil end up choosing between a few well-known names: Modalert, Modvigil, ModaXL. Modatec doesn't come up as often, which is a little odd, because it's made by Cipla, one of the largest drug companies in India. If you've landed on Afinil's Modatec 200 mg page and wondered whether it's worth trying, this review lays out the facts we could check.
We based this on Afinil's Modatec 200 mg listing as it appeared on October 31, 2026, Indian pharmacy listings for the same product, and the US prescribing information for modafinil (Provigil and its generics). We haven't lab-tested Modatec tablets or taken them ourselves, so there are no personal effect claims below.
Modatec 200 mg at a glance
- Active ingredient: modafinil, 200 mg per tablet
- Maker: Cipla Ltd (named by Afinil and by Indian pharmacy listings)
- Brand it copies: Provigil
- Listed price range on Afinil: $29 for 10 tablets to about $499 for 500
- Store reviews: 2, both five stars, on October 31, 2026
- Status in India: prescription medicine
- Status in the US: Schedule IV, prescription-only, not FDA-approved
Who is Cipla?
Cipla is a Mumbai-based drugmaker that has been around since the 1930s and sells medicines in many countries, including generic HIV, asthma and antibiotic drugs. It's a much bigger and better-known company than the makers behind a lot of the budget modafinil brands sold online.
That's the main thing Modatec has going for it. When the company name on the strip is a large, regulated manufacturer, you have more to go on than you do with a brand nobody outside a few vendor sites has heard of. Indian online pharmacies such as 1mg and Practo list Modatec 200 mg under Cipla, sold as a strip of 10 tablets and marked prescription-required.
A big maker doesn't guarantee that every tablet sold online is genuine, though. What you receive depends on the seller's supply chain. That's why checking the packaging when it arrives still matters (more on that below).
What Afinil's page says, and what to ignore
Afinil's description is mostly standard: Modatec contains modafinil, is used for narcolepsy, sleep apnea and shift work sleep disorder, and is used off-label for focus. A few lines deserve a second look:
- "Modatec is safe and effective." No drug is simply safe. The US modafinil label carries warnings about serious rashes, allergic reactions and psychiatric symptoms. Safety depends on the person and the dose.
- "Same level of effectiveness" as Provigil. It has the same active ingredient at the same strength, which is a fair reason to expect similar effects. But Modatec hasn't been through FDA review, so there's no FDA finding that it matches Provigil.
- "Without Rx" in the page title. That doesn't apply in the US, and Modatec is a prescription medicine in India too.
- Mechanism claims. The page says modafinil works through dopamine, serotonin and GABA. The US label is more careful: it says the way modafinil promotes wakefulness is unknown, though it does affect dopamine signalling.
Listed prices
Here's what Afinil showed on October 31, 2026. Totals are our rough arithmetic from the per-tablet prices; the checkout is what counts.
| Pack size | Per tablet | Example total |
|---|---|---|
| 10 tablets | $2.99 | about $29.90 |
| 20 tablets | $2.99 | about $59.80 |
| 30 tablets | $2.59 | about $77.70 |
| 50 tablets | $1.99 | about $99.50 |
| 100 tablets | $1.69 | about $169 |
| 200 tablets | $1.39 | about $278 |
| 300 tablets | $1.33 | about $399 |
| 500 tablets | $0.99 | about $495 |
Two things stand out. First, the 20-pack costs the same per tablet as the 10-pack, so it doesn't save anything per tablet. Second, the steepest drop comes at 500 tablets, which is far more than most people should buy of a brand they haven't tried.
For context, an Indian pharmacy listing from late 2025 showed a 10-tablet strip at about ₹92 at maximum retail price, which is around a dollar or so for the whole strip. Online export vendors charge far more than local Indian retail prices. That gap covers shipping, handling and the vendor's margin, and it's normal for this kind of seller.
Ways the price can drop
- Crypto: Afinil advertises 24% off when paying with Bitcoin or other crypto.
- Free shipping: the store says Registered Airmail is free over $130 and EMS express is free over $180.
- Free samples: the store says each order includes 20 free Modvigil and Artvigil sample tablets.
- Returning customers: the Modatec page mentions $25 off for return customers. Other Afinil pages mention a $10-off code, so check which discount actually applies at checkout.
How Modatec compares with other 200 mg brands
All of these contain 200 mg of modafinil. The differences are the maker, the price and how much of a track record each brand has.
| Brand | Maker | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Modatec | Cipla | Big maker, lightly reviewed on Afinil, $1.69 a tablet at 100 |
| Modalert | Sun Pharma | The best-known Indian modafinil brand |
| ModaXL | HOF Pharmaceuticals | Afinil's own "best value" bestseller, $1.99 a tablet at 100 |
| Modvigil | HAB Pharma | Afinil's budget pick and its free-sample brand |
If you already use Modalert or Modvigil and they work for you, there's no strong reason to switch. Modatec makes most sense for someone who wants a tablet from a large, well-known maker without paying top-brand prices. Our Modalert vs ModaXL comparison covers two of the other names in more detail.
Dosing: label vs store page
The FDA label for modafinil (Provigil and its US generics) says:
- Narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea: 200 mg once a day in the morning.
- Shift work disorder: 200 mg about one hour before the shift starts.
- Higher doses: up to 400 mg a day has been well tolerated, but there's no consistent evidence it adds benefit over 200 mg.
- Severe liver problems: the dose should be cut in half. Older adults may need a lower dose.
The label says modafinil can be taken with or without food, and that food may delay its peak by about an hour. Afinil's page says to take Modatec an hour before or two hours after eating and also mentions a split morning-and-noon dose "under the circumstances". Those are vendor suggestions, not label directions. Follow your prescriber.
Side effects
The US label lists headache as the most common side effect, followed by nausea, nervousness, runny nose, back pain, diarrhea, anxiety, insomnia, dizziness and indigestion. Rare but serious warnings include severe skin rashes, allergic reactions, and psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, mania or hallucinations. The label says to stop the drug and get medical help at the first sign of a rash.
The label also warns that modafinil can make hormonal birth control less effective during use and for a month after stopping. If you take any regular medicine, ask a pharmacist before using modafinil.
Who Modatec suits
- Prescription holders who want a lower-cost 200 mg modafinil tablet from a large manufacturer.
- People comparing brands who'd rather see a well-known company name on the strip.
- First-time buyers of this brand who can start with the 10-tablet pack to see how it suits them.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who wants lots of user reviews. Two store reviews isn't much to go on.
- Bulk buyers chasing the lowest price. Some brands are cheaper per tablet at mid-size packs, and buying 500 tablets of an untried brand isn't a good idea.
- People who need fast US delivery. Modatec ships internationally. Afinil's US domestic option is built around ModaXL; see our domestic USPS shipping review.
Shipping and payment
Afinil lists EMS express with tracking at 7 to 12 business days and Registered Airmail without tracking at 10 to 18 business days for international orders. The store says parcels go out in discreet packaging and that lost parcels are reshipped free. It accepts cards, PayPal, Zelle and crypto, among others.
Checking your Modatec order
When the parcel arrives:
- The foil strip should show Modatec, modafinil 200 mg, the Cipla name, a batch number and expiry date.
- Tablets should look the same across every strip in the order.
- If the maker name, strength or packaging looks wrong, contact the seller before taking any.
Keep tablets in their original strips at room temperature, away from children, and check the expiry date against how many you'll realistically use.
Legal notes for US buyers
Modafinil is a Schedule IV controlled substance in the US and needs a valid prescription. Modatec isn't FDA-approved. A vendor's "without Rx" wording doesn't change the law, importing a controlled substance without a prescription isn't a legal route, and US customs can seize parcels. If you have a prescription, a US pharmacy can fill FDA-approved generic modafinil. Our Is buying modafinil legal? guide explains the rules.
Verdict
Modatec 200 mg's best feature is the name on the box: Cipla is a large, established manufacturer, and Indian pharmacies sell this exact product as a prescription medicine. On Afinil it's priced in the middle of the pack, with only two store reviews so far, and the product page oversells it with phrases like "safe and effective". If you have a prescription and want a 200 mg modafinil from a well-known maker, a 10-tablet pack is a sensible way to try it. If you're happy with the brand you already use, there's little reason to switch.
*This page is for general information and isn't medical advice. Talk to a licensed healthcare professional before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.*
FAQ
Who makes Modatec 200 mg?
Cipla Ltd, a large Indian pharmaceutical company. Afinil names Cipla as the maker, and Indian pharmacy listings such as 1mg and Practo show Modatec 200 mg under Cipla as well.
What is in Modatec?
Each tablet contains 200 mg of modafinil, the same active ingredient as Provigil. The inactive ingredients can differ from Provigil's, so check the strip and leaflet if you have allergies.
How much does Modatec cost on Afinil?
On October 31, 2026, Afinil listed it at $2.99 a tablet for 10 or 20, $2.59 for 30, $1.99 for 50, $1.69 for 100, $1.39 for 200, $1.33 for 300 and $0.99 for 500. Prices change, so check the live page.
Is Modatec FDA-approved?
No. Modatec is approved and sold as a prescription medicine in India, but it isn't FDA-approved. The FDA-approved options in the US are Provigil and its approved US generics.
Is Modatec the same as Modalert?
Both contain 200 mg of modafinil, but they come from different makers: Modatec from Cipla and Modalert from Sun Pharma. The active ingredient is the same; the fillers, tablet look and price can differ.
Do I need a prescription for Modatec in the US?
Yes. Modafinil is a Schedule IV controlled substance in the US. Afinil's page title says "Without Rx", but that doesn't change US law. Modatec is also a prescription medicine in India.
Should I take Modatec with food?
The US modafinil label says it can be taken with or without food; food may delay the effect by about an hour. Afinil's page suggests taking it an hour before or two hours after a meal, which is stricter than the label.
How many reviews does Modatec have on Afinil?
Two on October 31, 2026, both rated five stars. That's too few to tell you much, so treat it as a lightly reviewed brand.