Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Provigil vs. Androgel

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Modafinil (Provigil) and testosterone gel (Testim, AndroGel, Fortesta, Vogelxo) are both prescription medications, but they serve very different purposes. Modafinil is a wakefulness-promoting agent used to treat excessive sleepiness due to conditions like narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, or shift work disorder. It is taken orally once a day and is a Schedule IV controlled substance due to its potential for misuse. Common side effects include headache and nausea. On the other hand, testosterone gel is used to treat low testosterone levels in adult males and is applied topically once a day. It is a Schedule III controlled substance and carries risks of skin irritation and accidental transfer to others through skin contact. While modafinil affects the central nervous system to promote wakefulness, testosterone gel works by replacing or supplementing the natural hormone in the body. Both medications have serious side effects and risks, including heart problems for modafinil and potential for misuse and dependency for testosterone gel.

  • Modafinil (Provigil)
    Testosterone gel
  • Modafinil (Provigil)
    Testosterone gel

  • Summary of Provigil vs. Androgel

    Summary for Wakefulness-promoting agent
    Prescription only

    Modafinil (Provigil) is a prescription medication used to improve wakefulness in people who have extreme sleepiness due to narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, or shift work disorder. It's considered a controlled substance since this medication has a potential to cause misuse. You should avoid alcohol while taking modafinil (Provigil), as well as certain other medications to avoid any serious interactions and side effects. Common side effects of modafinil (Provigil), however, include headache and nausea.

    Summary for Testosterone replacement
    Prescription only

    Testosterone gel is used to treat low testosterone in adult males. It's convenient to use because you only have to apply it to your skin once a day. But compared to other forms of testosterone, there's a higher risk of exposing others to the medication through skin-to-skin contact.

  • Indications of Provigil vs. Androgel

    Indications for
    •Excessive sleepiness due to narcolepsy, shift work disorder, or obstructive sleep apnea
    Indications for
    •Low testosterone (hypogonadism)

  • Pros and Cons of Provigil vs. Androgel

    Pros and Const for Wakefulness-promoting agent
    Pros
    •Convenient once-daily dosing
    •Can help you feel awake without feeling overstimulated
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    •Doesn't usually interfere with falling asleep when taken as recommended
    •Can help with attention as well as fatigue
    Cons
    •Interacts with many medications, including hormonal birth controls, warfarin (Coumadin), and omeprazole (Prilosec)
    •Older adults and people with severe liver problems might need a lower dose
    •Not known whether it's safe or works well for children
    •Generally not recommended if you're pregnant or breastfeeding
    Pros and Const for Testosterone replacement
    Pros
    •Works well to replace testosterone in your body
    •Applied once a day to your skin, so it's easy to use
    •Available in tubes, packets, or as a pump
    •Some brand names are available as lower-cost generics
    Cons
    •Can cause skin irritation
    •Need to avoid skin-to-skin transfer to other people
    •Need to wait hours before you can shower, swim, or bathe
    •Have to follow specific instructions on where and how it can be applied

  • Common Side Effects of Provigil vs. Androgel

    Common Side Effects for
    •Headache (34%)
    •Nausea (11%)
    •Feeling nervous (7%)
    •Runny nose (7%)
    •Back Pain (6%)
    •Diarrhea (6%)
    •Anxiety (5%)
    •Dizziness (5%)
    •Upset stomach and indigestion (5%)
    •Trouble sleeping (5%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Skin irritation
    •Skin rash
    •Itchiness
    •High red blood cell count
    •Enlarged prostate
    •Acne

  • Warnings of Provigil vs. Androgel

    Common Side Effects for
    •Serious allergic reactions
    •Serious skin reactions
    •Driving impairment
    •Heart problems
    •Mental health disorder symptoms
    Common Side Effects for
    •Early puberty or development of male features
    •High red blood cell count and blood clots
    •Heart attack and stroke
    •Potential for misuse, addiction, and dependency
    •Worsening symptoms of enlarged prostate and prostate cancer
    •Liver problems
    •Swelling in the arms and legs (edema)
    •Breathing problems during sleep (sleep apnea)
    •High calcium in the blood

  • Prices with our coupons for Provigil vs. Androgel

    Learn more about Modafinil
    Learn more about Testosterone gel

Compare other Narcolepsy and Testosterone Replacement drugs

Focalin vs ProvigilMedrol vs ProvigilProvigil vs DesoxynProvigil vs DexedrineProvigil vs FortestaProvigil vs MarinolProvigil vs RitalinStrattera vs ProvigilAdderall vs StratteraDexedrine vs AdderallFluoxymesterone vs FortestaFocalin vs DexedrineFocalin vs StratteraIntuniv vs StratteraKapvay vs DexedrineMedrol vs CortefMedrol vs DexamethasoneMedrol vs FortestaMedrol vs MarinolMedrol vs Prednisolone AcetateMedrol vs RitalinMedrol vs Solu MedrolRitalin vs DexedrineStrattera vs Adderall XrStrattera vs ConcertaStrattera vs DesoxynStrattera vs DexedrineStrattera vs RitalinVyvanse vs DexedrineVyvanse vs Strattera
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.