How Wakix Works for Narcolepsy
Wakix (pitolisant), also known by its generic name pitolisant, is a medication primarily used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in people with narcolepsy. It belongs to a class of drugs known as histamine 3 receptor antagonists or inverse agonists. Here's how Wakix works for narcolepsy:
1. Histamine and Narcolepsy:
- Narcolepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, often accompanied by cataplexy (sudden loss of muscle tone), sleep paralysis, and vivid dreams.
- In narcolepsy, there's a deficiency in the neurotransmitter histamine, which is involved in regulating wakefulness and sleep cycles.
2. Mechanism of Action:
- Wakix works by selectively blocking histamine 3 receptors in the brain.
- Histamine 3 receptors are typically inhibitory autoreceptors that, when activated, decrease histamine release.
- By blocking histamine 3 receptors, Wakix increases histamine signaling in the brain.
3. Increased Histamine Activity:
- Increased histamine levels due to Wakix's action enhance the activity of histamine 1 receptors, which are responsible for promoting wakefulness.
- This increased histamine signaling helps improve wakefulness and reduce excessive daytime sleepiness in individuals with narcolepsy.
4. Modulating Sleep-Wake Cycles:
- Wakix can modulate the sleep-wake cycle by stabilizing arousal mechanisms and reducing sleep fragmentation, leading to improved daytime alertness and decreased sleep attacks.
5. Cataplexy and Other Symptoms:
- While improving wakefulness is the primary effect of Wakix, it may also provide benefits in reducing cataplexy and other narcolepsy-related symptoms, such as sleep paralysis and vivid dreams.
6. Dosage and Administration:
- Wakix is usually taken once daily, in the morning, as prescribed by a healthcare professional.
- The recommended starting dosage is 4.5 mg once daily, which may be adjusted based on individual response and tolerability.
It's important to use Wakix as directed by your doctor and follow the prescribed dosage to ensure optimal effectiveness and minimize potential side effects.