Drug info - Different versions of Modafinil

[Focus]

My cat is currently trying out Modafinil.

He originally ordered some from a dodgy-looking website that was very cheap. He paid by Paypal and was concerned when he got no acknowledgement from the vendor. He then bought some at a higher cost from a site recommended by a fellow feline.

He was surprised and gladdened when he was delivered two packages, one from each supplier. The more expensive version was Shire's Alertec (100mg), and the (much) cheaper was Modalert (200mg) from Sun Pharma.

The cheaper one was the one he tried first. His feeling was that it helped him stay awake, but that he wasn't too sure if he was actually more focussed or not. It also made his head feel like it was buzzing gently. Mild diarrhoea was another side-affect.

When he first tried the Alertec it seemed to have no effect at all. He took two pills about an hour before a lunchtime interview, but didn't notice any positive or negative symptoms. However, today he had to get up at 04:30 for work, but only got to curl up at around midnight, so he set his alarm for 3:45 and took 200mg Alertec before dropping back off to sleep. He woke up quite easily at 4:30 and felt especially well after a strong coffee (he wonders if Modafinil has more effect on the brain, and Caffeine more on the body).

Neckache seems to be a coming-down symptom common to both.

Is there much of a difference between the different forms available? Puss had heard that some Modalert is counterfeit and based on amphetamines (which he doesn't want to sample).

Incidentally he was curious (as is in his pussy nature) as to the position of Modafinil in UK law, which he believes to be different from that in the US. Though he doesn't think that it is possible to buy it over the counter, he thinks it may be legal to buy it from internet sources. What is the exact UK legal status?