What is the most common medication prescribed for narcolepsy?
Drugs that stimulate the central nervous system are the primary treatment to help people with narcolepsy stay awake during the day. Doctors often try modafinil (Provigil) or armodafinil (Nuvigil) first for narcolepsy.
What does Xyrem do to the brain?
Xyrem is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. This means that it works by relaxing your central nervous system. It affects your brain and certain nerves that control your muscles. This includes muscles that help you to breathe.
Does Wakix treat cataplexy?
WAKIX is indicated for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) or cataplexy in adult patients with narcolepsy.
Why is Xyrem taken at night?
XYREM is taken at night to reduce both excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in narcolepsy and cataplexy in narcolepsy during the day. XYREM can cause sleep very quickly. Some people fall asleep within 5 minutes, and most people fall asleep within about 15 minutes.
What is the difference between Wakix and Sunosi?
Wakix is a histamine-3 (H3) receptor antagonist/inverse agonist and Sunosi is a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (DNRI). Side effects of Wakix and Sunosi that are similar include insomnia, nausea, and anxiety. Side effects of Sunosi that are different from Wakix include headache and decreased appetite.
Is Wakix a Xyrem?
Wakix and Xyrem belong to different drug classes. Wakix is a histamine-3 (H3) receptor antagonist/inverse agonist and Xyrem is a central nervous system depressant. Side effects of Wakix and Xyrem that are similar include nausea. Side effects of Wakix that are different from Xyrem include insomnia and anxiety.
What is the new medication for daytime sleepiness?
A new drug may be helpful as part of an overall treatment plan. The FDA has approved solriamfetol (marketed as Sunosi) to treat excessive daytime sleepiness in adults with narcolepsy or obstructive sleep apnea.
What is the best pill to stay awake?
Modafinil (Provigil) is used to treat excessive sleepiness in patients with narcolepsy and residual sleepiness in certain cases of sleep apnea. Scientists believe the drug affects the sleep-wake centers in the brain. The most common side effect is a headache.
Is Sunosi the same as modafinil?
Are Provigil and Sunosi the Same Thing? Provigil (modafinil) and Sunosi (solriamfetol) are used to increase wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness related to narcolepsy, shiftwork sleep disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.
Is Nuvigil similar to Adderall?
Nuvigil and Adderall have similar stimulant effects, but they are not the same. Nuvigil is primarily used to treat sleep disorders like narcolepsy and shift work disorder. Adderall is primarily used to treat ADHD. Both drugs are available as oral tablets that are taken by mouth.
How does Nuvigil make you feel?
Armodafinil (Nuvigil) can change the way you focus, think, and react. While the medication can improve wakefulness, some people with extreme sleepiness might still have a hard time staying awake while taking armodafinil (Nuvigil).
Is Xyrem a narcotic?
Xyrem is not a narcotic. Narcotics bind to opioid receptors in the brain and include substances such as codeine, oxycodone, and morphine. Xyrem is available as an oral solution.
What are medications for narcolepsy?
Medications are a core therapy for most people with narcolepsy. The ultimate goal is to identify medications that produce the greatest benefits with the fewest problems; finding the right balance can take time.
What is Xyrem for narcolepsy?
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.
How effective are amphetamines for treating narcolepsy?
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.
Can treatment for narcolepsy be tailored to my personality?
For any patient, treatment can be tailored to match their age, overall health, symptoms, and individual preferences. Working with a doctor experienced in treating narcolepsy can enhance the ability to optimize treatment for any specific person.