Modafinil for fatigue in IBD (MFI)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A multi-centre, double-blind randomised controlled trial to compare Modafinil versus placebo over 12 weeks in patients with severe Fatigue and Inflammatory bowel disease (MFI): a feasibility study
IRAS ID
344329
Contact name
Calum Moulton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Fatigue is a big problem in people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Even when IBD is well controlled, 50% of patients remain fatigued most of the time. Fatigue can be physical (e.g. feeling tired or weak) and mental (e.g. brain fog). However, there are no effective treatments for IBD fatigue.
Modafinil is a medication that can rapidly improve fatigue. It usually acts within 30 minutes and improves wakefulness. It can also improve brain fog. Modafinil is not a new medication: it has been used for over 30 years in people with narcolepsy, which is a condition where people fall asleep during the day. Modafinil has also been used in people who do not have narcolepsy.
This study will compare modafinil with a dummy tablet (placebo) in people with IBD. This is a feasibility study. This means it does not aim to test whether one medication is better than the other for fatigue. Rather, it is testing whether a trial like this can be conducted in people with IBD.
Half of the patients in the study will receive modafinil and half will receive placebo. Treatment will be 12 weeks. Patients will start by taking 1 tablet and will then increase to 2 tablets and then 3 tablets if needed. A computer will randomly allocate treatment, meaning there is an equal chance of being allocated modafinil or placebo. They will be followed up after 6 weeks and 12 weeks.
Being a feasibility study, we will measure how many patients consent to the study; how many complete treatment; and how acceptable the treatment is. Participants will complete a range of questionnaires measuring fatigue, mental health and gut health, primarily to look at the completeness and spread of data.
If feasible, this study will support a larger version of the trial.
REC name
London - Brighton & Sussex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/LO/0719
Date of REC Opinion
14 Oct 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion