The Medication

The following is a list of different medications that may be prescribed to narcoleptic patients. After each medication is listed, I provide further information about its uses, side effects, etc.

Amphetamines: 

Amphetamines are used to stimulate the central nervous system. Examples of Amphetamines with their common names include Dexedrine, methamphetamine, Dextrostat, Adderall, and Ritalin.  generalized central nervous system stimulants. They help narcoleptic patients by enhancing their alertness and reducing the urge to sleep. Despite these benefits, Amphetamines have side effects such as anxiety, elevated blood pressure, and drug addiction.

Pemoline or commonly known as Cylert:

This medication may help narcoleptics. However, it isn’t as effective as Amphetamines. It can cause liver problems due to its potential rise of toxicity.  As a result, doctors recommend frequent liver blood tests

Modafinil  or commonly known as Provigil:

This medication is similar to amphetamines even though it is not a central nervous system stimulant. Common side effects are temporary and mild headache and nausea. Although a another common side effect includes high blood pressure, the risk is much lower than in amphetamines. The risk for mental side effects such as mood changes, euphoria, or addiction is lower as well. Doctors prescribe patients with a single daily dose of Modafinil. Interestingly, Modafinil may not be able to treat cataplexy. If a patient is switched from amphetamines to Modafinil, cataplexy may result.

Armodafinil or commonly known as Nuvigil: 

This drug It is similar to modafinil and enhances alertness and wakefulness by acting as a brain stimulant,. Although it is not known how Nuvigil really stimulates the brain,  researchers believe that it may increase the amount of dopamine. Side effects of Nuvigil include, headache, anxiety, diarrhea, dizziness, insomnia, nausea, and fatigue.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): 

MAOIs are antidepressants which also include common medications such as Nardil and Eldepryl. These drugs reduce excessive daytime sleepiness.

Anticataplectic medication:

These drugs are useful because they are able to treat cataplexy. For example, Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) reduce cataplexy by acting on neurotransmitters and suppressing REM sleep. The main side effects include dry mouth, dry eyes, blurred vision, constipation, increase in appetite, anxiety, headache, and confusion. Another serious side effect that may increase disturbances in nighttime sleep is periodic limb movements. Also, cataplexy may get worse if medication is stopped.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) 

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors help treat cataplexy The most common SSRIs are are fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline(Zoloft), citalopram (Celexa), and venlafaxine (Effexor). SSRIs cause  lower risks of side effects than TCAs, even though they aren’t as effective. Common side effects are, nausea, diarrhea, and mild tremor

Sodium oxybate or commonly known as Xyrem:

These drugs are also called gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB). They are used to treat cataplexy and excessive daytime sleepiness. It is usually taken at night before bedtime, and four hours later. As a result, it reduces disturbed night time sleepiness which in turn decreases drowsiness during the day.  If Xyrem is taken during the day, drowsiness increases.