Persons Taking Medication for Narcolepsy & Primary Hypersomnia

Prescription medication for narcolepsy and primary hypersomnia is used to treat excessive sleepiness that is disruptive to the patient's life. Choices include stimulants and sleep aids.

Central hypersomnia disorders

• Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)

  Narcolepsy and primary hypersomnia are disorders of the central nervous system that cause excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). They are neurological, not psychological, disorders.

Treatable symptoms

• In primary hypersomnia, EDS often makes patients require more sleep than normal. In narcolepsy, dream-related symptoms like sudden loss of muscle tone (cataplexy) and hallucinations may be present.

Stimulants

• Modafinil (ProVigil), amphetamines (Adderall, Dexedrine), and methylphenidate (Ritalin) are stimulants often prescribed for these conditions. Clomipramine, an older-generation antidepressant with stimulant effects, may be prescribed for narcolepsy with cataplexy.

Sodium oxybate

• Sodium oxybate (Xyrem) may be prescribed to improve nighttime sleep. It is taken at bedtime and again during the night, and is available only by mail from a single central pharmacy.

Dependence

• Amphetamines, methylphenidate, and sodium oxybate are all Schedule III drugs with high potential for abuse. They should be used with caution and under close medical supervision.

Side effects

• All medications for narcolepsy and primary hypersomnia have side effects. Persons taking these drugs should work closely with their doctors and pharmacists to understand and manage specific side effects.