Adrafinil is the oldest of the modafinil family of drugs. Adrafinil is a prodrug of modafinil, which is to say it's converted to modafinil when metabolized. However, it may not be appropriate to assume the effects are exactly the same once it's metabolized, since adrafinil the molecule can have other effects, some of which may inhibit modafinil. There is some concern that adrafinil may be worse on one's liver than modafinil. Adrafinil is currently unscheduled in the USA.

In 2011 French drug assessment authorities removed adrafinil's market authorization citing: "Examination of the results of clinical studies made ​​by the laboratory does not allow to conclude on the benefit of adrafinil in disorders of arousal and alertness in the elderly. Given also known adverse effects of this drug , the Commission considers that the MA benefit / risk ratio of adrafinil is unfavorable and therefore proposes a withdrawal of the authorization for placing on the market."