However, addiction or abuse seems very rare in people with narcolepsy taking these medications regularly at the appropriate doses. People using high doses recreationally can become addicted and dependent, requiring higher doses of the drug and exhibiting signs of withdrawal when the drug is discontinued. Some of these medications, such as amphetamines and gamma-hydroxybutyrate (the active ingredient of oxybates), have the potential to be abused. All these medications have the potential to produce side effects, including some that are severe, so they should only be used as recommended by a doctor. For people with more severe sleepiness, however, amphetamines or oxybates often produce the best results. Medications for improving alertness Medications can help a person with narcolepsy maintain normal or near-normal alertness during the workday.įor people with mild to moderate sleepiness, modafinil or armodafinil are often good choices. Scammell describes the broad classes of medications used to treat narcolepsy. Detailed information on these medications can be found in the Medications for improving alertness and Medications for improving cataplexy sections that follow.ĭr. A reasonable target is to attain normal alertness through much of the day, especially at critical times such as during school or work or when driving.Ī summary of medications used to treat narcolepsy and some of their possible side effects can be found in Medications for Narcolepsy (PDF). This can take persistence, as sometimes the first choice is not the best. The ultimate goal is to identify medications that produce the greatest benefits with the fewest problems. A variety of medications are available to treat both sleepiness and cataplexy. The greatest improvements occur when medications have been optimized, behavioral strategies are used thoughtfully, and any additional sleep disorders are brought under control. Medications are a core therapy for most people with narcolepsy, and with optimal treatment, most of them experience large improvements in their alertness. Harvard Extension School, Psych E-1440, "Sleep and Mental Health".Undergraduate Sleep Education: GenEd 1038 at Harvard College.Undergraduate Opportunities to Perform Scientific Research.Treating Narcolepsy: Developing New Treatments.
Treating Narcolepsy: Changes Across the Lifespan.Diagnosing Narcolepsy: Testing for Narcolepsy.Diagnosing Narcolepsy: Getting a Diagnosis of Narcolepsy.Diagnosing Narcolepsy: Finding a Doctor.Diagnosing Narcolepsy: Epworth Sleepiness Scale.What is Narcolepsy: The Science of Narcolepsy.What is Narcolepsy: Symptoms of Narcolepsy.What is Narcolepsy: Understanding Narcolepsy.
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