Medication
What treatments are available? Modafinil. The initial line of treatment is usually a central nervous system stimulant such as modafinil. Modafinil is... Amphetamine-like stimulants. In cases where modafinil is not effective, doctors may prescribe amphetamine-like...
Nutrition
Feb 21, 2018 · Modafinil, a very effective and popular medication for reducing sleepiness in narcolepsy, now comes in two forms: 1) the original formulation (Provigil or generic modafinil) is a mixture of active and inactive compounds, and 2) the newer form (Nuvigil or armodafinil) is the purified active compound.
Can you cure narcolepsy?
Solriamfetol ( Sunosi ): This dual-acting dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor is also used to treat narcolepsy. It has proven effective in helping patients stay …
Is there a cure for narcolepsy?
Mar 18, 2022 · Some of the most commonly prescribed medications for narcolepsy include: Modafinil and armodafinil: These two wakefulness-promoting drugs are chemically similar and are typically the first... Methylphenidate: This is a type of amphetamine that can reduce EDS. Solriamfetol: This drug was approved by ...
What are the five signs of narcolepsy?
76 rows · The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition. Select drug class All drug classes vasopressors (1) miscellaneous anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics (4) CNS stimulants (20) miscellaneous central nervous system agents (2) decongestants (1) serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (1)
What are medications that cause narcolepsy?
Apr 19, 2022 · Narcolepsy treatment options for children Modafinil. . Modafinil reduces daytime drowsiness and improves alertness. Amphetamine-like stimulants. . Methylphenidate is widely prescribed. Antidepressants. . Some antidepressants, such as imipramine and desipramine, are effective. Sodium oxybate. . ...
How to treat narcolepsy?
Treatment for narcolepsy can be broken down into two categories: 1 Behavioral approaches employ changes in lifestyle and daily habits to manage symptoms and reduce the likelihood of other physical and emotional challenges that often affect people with narcolepsy. 2 Medications can be prescribed to address symptoms. The use of medications is known as pharmacotherapy.
How many medications do you need to treat narcolepsy?
To treat narcolepsy, doctors usually start with one drug to see how well it works for a specific patient. The dosage or timing of doses may be changed as needed, or the doctor may recommend switching medications if the first is not working or well-tolerated.
What are the risks of narcolepsy?
Its central symptom is excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), which may involve falling asleep involuntarily, even while eating or driving. People with narcolepsy face safety risks including a three- to four-fold increase 2 in their chances of being in an automobile accident. Narcolepsy symptoms can also cause significant impairment in school, work, ...
Is narcolepsy curable?
Narcolepsy is not curable. It is considered to be a lifelong condition. For the majority of patients, symptoms stay relatively stable over time. A significant number see symptom improvement 4 or, in some rare cases, remission 5 as they age.
What are the behavioral elements of narcolepsy?
Behavioral elements of narcolepsy treatment involve lifestyle strategies that are meant to combat excessive daytime sleepiness, prevent accidental injuries, and fortify physical, mental, and emotional health. People with narcolepsy can adapt these non-medical treatment methods to fit their individual situation.
Is narcolepsy a life threatening condition?
People with narcolepsy are at a higher risk of accidents while driving, operating heavy machinery, or engaging in other safety-critical activities. Accidents can be life-threatening, making the prevention of involuntary sleep an important element of narcolepsy care.
Can narcolepsy cause accidents?
Well-timed naps may enable safer driving for short distances. The risk of accidents can depend on the severity t of excessive daytime sleepiness as well as the presence of other symptoms, like cataplexy.
How to get narcolepsy to sleep?
Exercise daily. Exercising for at least 20 minutes per day at least 4 or 5 hours before bedtime also improves sleep quality and can help people with narcolepsy avoid gaining excess weight. Avoid large, heavy meals right before bedtime. Eating very close to bedtime can make it harder to sleep.
What tests are needed for narcolepsy?
Two specialized tests, which can be performed in a sleep disorders clinic, are required to establish a diagnosis of narcolepsy: Polysomnogram (PSG or sleep study).
What is the sleep stage of narcolepsy?
Dreams occur during REM sleep, and the brain keeps muscles limp during this sleep stage, which prevents people from acting out their dreams. People with narcolepsy frequently enter REM sleep rapidly, within 15 minutes of falling asleep.
How long does it take to get narcolepsy diagnosed?
Since people with narcolepsy are often misdiagnosed with other conditions, such as psychiatric disorders or emotional problems, it can take years for someone to get the proper diagnosis.
What is the diagnosis of narcolepsy?
This diagnosis is based on the individual either having low levels of a brain hormone (hypocretin) or reporting cataplexy and having excessive daytime sleepiness on a special nap test.
How long does it take for cataplexy to appear?
The symptoms of cataplexy may appear weeks or even years after the onset of EDS. Some people may only have one or two attacks in a lifetime, while others may experience many attacks a day. In about 10 percent of cases of narcolepsy, cataplexy is the first symptom to appear and can be misdiagnosed as a seizure disorder.
Does narcolepsy go away?
Symptoms can partially improve over time, but they will never disappear completely. The most typical symptoms are excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hallucinations.
What is the best medication for narcolepsy?
Sleepiness often improves with modafinil, armodafinil, amphetamines, or sodium oxybate. Cataplexy often improves with antidepressants ...
Why are amphetamines used?
Since the 1930s, amphetamines have been used to improve alertness in narcolepsy and other conditions. These medications are among the most effective for reducing sleepiness, but side effects are moderately common. A large variety of amphetamines are clinically available, and individuals may respond better to one than to another.
How long does sodium oxybate last?
Instead of a pill taken during the day, sodium oxybate is a sedating liquid taken at bedtime. As its effects last only a few hours, a second dose is taken three to four hours later.
What are the side effects of Xyrem?
Side effects are uncommon and include insomnia, nausea and anxiety. Sodium oxybate. Sodium oxybate (Xyrem) is the sodium salt of gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a naturally occurring substance in the brain. Sodium oxybate is quite different from the other medications used to treat narcolepsy.
Does sodium oxybate cause sleep apnea?
Some people with narcolepsy also have sleep apnea, and there is controversy as to whether sodium oxybate can worsen this condition. Some doctors find it helpful to re-evaluate sleep apnea in people taking this medication. Medications for improving cataplexy. Cataplexy occurs in about half of all people with narcolepsy.
Can antidepressants help with cataplexy?
Antidepressant medications have been used for decades to reduce cataplexy. As there have been no large clinical studies examining the effects of these medications on cataplexy, guidelines on their use are mainly based on the clinical experience of narcolepsy specialists. 13.
How long does amphetamine stay in your system?
Most amphetamines are available in short-acting forms that improve alertness for three to four hours, and longer-acting forms that last for six to eight hours.
What are the best medications for narcolepsy?
Drugs that act as stimulants and/or reduce the other symptoms of narcolepsy are standard treatments for the condition. They include: Armodafinil ( Nuvigil ): This drug is similar to Provigil. It is also used to reduce excessive daytime sleepiness. Headache and nausea are the most common side effects. Methylphenidate Hcl ( Daytrana, Ritalin ...
How to help narcolepsy stay awake?
It has proven effective in helping patients stay awake for longer periods of time. Home Remedies for Narcolepsy. There are several things you can do at home to help improve the symptoms of narcolepsy and include the following: Maintain a regular sleep schedule.
What is Xywav used for?
Sodium oxybate ( Xyrem, Xywav): This drug is used to treat a small subset of people with narcolepsy who have excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy that does not respond to the other medications. It is the only drug approved by the FDA for cataplexy.
What are the side effects of Prozac?
Side effects of Prozac and the other SSRIs also include stomach upset and sexual dysfunction.
Does Pitolisant work on histamine receptors?
It acts on the histamine receptors and mimics histamine. Pitolisant uses the histamine receptors to prompt your brain to stay awake. Solriamfetol ( Sunosi ): This dual-acting dopamine and norepinephrinere uptake inhibitor is also used to treat narcolepsy.
What is the best medication for narcolepsy?
Some of the most commonly prescribed medications for narcolepsy include: 1 Modafinil and armodafinil: These two wakefulness-promoting drugs are chemically similar and are typically the first therapy for EDS. 2 Methylphenidate: This is a type of amphetamine that can reduce EDS. 3 Solriamfetol: This drug was approved by the FDA in 2019 and has shown comparable effects on EDS as modafinil 21. 4 Sodium oxybate: This medication can reduce cataplexy, EDS, and nighttime sleep disturbances, but it may take weeks to affect EDS 22. 5 Pitolisant: Approved by the FDA in 2019, pitolisant is a wakefulness-promoting medication that has also shown a positive effect on cataplexy.
What are the symptoms of narcolepsy?
The symptoms of narcolepsy can have notable effects during both daytime and night time. The most common symptoms include: Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS): EDS is the cardinal symptom of narcolepsy, affecting all people with the disorder. EDS involves an urge to sleep that can feel irresistible, and it arises most frequently in monotonous ...
What is narcolepsy in medical terms?
Eric Suni. Medically Reviewed by. Dr. John DeBanto. Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that is often misunderstood. It is characterized by severe and persistent daytime sleepiness that can cause impairments in school, work, and social settings as well as heighten the risk of serious accidents and injuries.
How rare is narcolepsy?
Narcolepsy is relatively rare. NT1 affects between 20 and 67 people per 100,000 in the United States. According to a population based study in Olmstead county Minnesota, NT1 is two to three times more common 4 than NT2, which is estimated to affect between 20 to 67 people per 100,000.
What is NT1 in a patient?
NT1 was formerly known as “narcolepsy with cataplexy.”. Not all patients who are diagnosed with NT1 experience episodes of cataplexy. NT1 can also be diagnosed when a person has low levels of hypocretin-1, a chemical in the body that helps control wakefulness.
How long does cataplexy last?
Cataplexy normally affects both sides of the body and lasts for a few seconds to a few minutes. Some people with NT1 only have episodes of cataplexy a few times per year, while others can have a dozen or more episodes per day. Although all people with narcolepsy have EDS, less than a quarter have all of these symptoms.
Can narcolepsy be treated in adults?
Treatment for children with narcolepsy is similar to treatment in adults, but additional precautions may be taken when choosing medications and their dosages. A cardiovascular evaluation is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics 23 before children start taking stimulant medications.
Drugs used to treat Narcolepsy
The following list of medications are in some way related to, or used in the treatment of this condition.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Diagnosis
- Your doctor may make a preliminary diagnosis of narcolepsy based on your excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden loss of muscle tone (cataplexy). After an initial diagnosis, your doctor may refer you to a sleep specialist for further evaluation. Formal diagnosis requires staying overnigh…
Treatment
- There is no cure for narcolepsy, but medications and lifestyle modifications can help you manage the symptoms.
Clinical Trials
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Coping and Support
- Dealing with narcolepsy can be challenging. Making adjustments in your daily schedule may help. Consider these tips: 1. Talk about it. Tell your employer or teachers about your condition and work with them to find ways to accommodate your needs. This may include taking naps during the day, breaking up monotonous tasks, recording meetings or classes, standing during meetings or lect…
Preparing For Your Appointment
- You're likely to start by seeing your family doctor. However, in some cases when you call to set up an appointment, you may be referred to a sleep specialist. Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.