brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Narcolepsy
Treatment of Narcolepsy
General measures Drugs that help keep people awake There is no cure for narcolepsy. However, for many people, continued treatment results in normal lives. People should also try to get enough sleep at night and take brief naps (less than 30 minutes) at the same time every day (typically afternoon). If symptoms are mild, these measures may be all that is needed. People with cataplexy should try to avoid anything that triggers cataplexy, such as laughter, anger, and fear. For others, drugs that help keep people awake, such asmodafinil,armodafinil,solriamfetol,pitolisant,sodium oxybate, or a combination drug that contains calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium oxybates are used to help reduce the sleepiness. Doctors monitor people closely during drug treatment. Modafinil,armodafinil,solriamfetol, andpitolisantkeep people awake by interacting with different receptors in the brain. The drugs are taken once a day in the morning or can be taken by shift workers an hour before they begin work. These four drugs are the preferred treatment for people who have narcolepsy without cataplexy. Generally, all of these drugs are safe, but they may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, and a rash. Pregnant women should not takemodafinilbecause it may cause severe birth defects, including heart defects. Sodium oxybateand the combination oxybate drug can usually lessen excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy. These drugs are taken while in bed and again during the night. These drugs are the preferred treatment for people with narcolepsy and cataplexy. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, urinary incontinence (involuntary urination), sleepiness, and sometimes sleepwalking. Dextroamphetamineandmethylphenidate, which are stimulants, are used only if other narcolepsy drugs are ineffective or cause intolerable problems. These stimulants can cause agitation, high blood pressure, a fast heart rate, and moodiness. They may also be habit-forming. Before doctors prescribedextroamphetamineormethylphenidatefor people who are over 40, an exercise stress test is done to check for heart disease. Treatment of Narcolepsy is similar to that of narcolepsy—with drugs that help keep people awake. 