What Is The Best Medication For Narcolepsy

Medications help to manage the symptoms of narcolepsy. The best medication for narcolepsy may not be the same for everyone. There are several types of medications for narcolepsy and they help them to be more alert. Your doctor will identify which is the best for you that delivers the best results with minimal side effects. Here is a list of medications, their benefits, and side effects, and an analysis of the best medication for narcolepsy.

What do narcolepsy medications target?

Medications for narcolepsy target excessive sleepiness, sleep paralysis, and cataplexy.

Sleep paralysis - Sleep paralysis refers to the condition in which the body fails to regain muscle control after getting up from bed. Generally, your body shuts down your body to prevent you from acting out your dreams. This ends when you wake up. When your body doesn’t regain control after waking up, you will be able to open your eyes and breathe but will not be able to move your body.

Cataplexy - This refers to the temporary muscle weakness resulting from narcolepsy. Cataplexy can be mild or severe. Mild cataplexy causes involuntary jaw-dropping and affects the face and neck alone. Severe cataplexy can cause sudden collapse and can be dangerous as it can lead to injuries.

Medications used for narcolepsy

1. Amphetamines

Using Amphetamines has a long history dating back to the 1930s. They are stimulant drugs and are used to treat medical conditions like narcolepsy and ADHD. They are highly addictive and can cause severe side effects. Adderall, a mixture of Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine is used most commonly. Amphetamines work by stimulating the activity of wake-promoting neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine. The effects of some Amphetamines last for 3-4 hours and some for 6-8 hours. Due to concerns about side effects and abuse, they are being replaced by other medications, especially, Modafinil.

2. Modafinil

Modafinil is a very effective and popular medication to reduce narcolepsy-related sleepiness. Several clinical studies have proven that it does decrease the feeling of sleepiness. They work by targeting the central nervous system. They prevent the transportation of dopamine from the brain to other parts. This increases the level of dopamine in the brain. This increases alertness and decreases sleepiness. The effect of Modafinil lasts for about 8-10 hours, One 200mg tablet taken in the morning will keep you awake until evening. Some people feel that the effect wears off in 4-5 hours. So they take 100mg in the morning and another 100mg in the afternoon. The side effects caused by Modafinil are milder and fewer when compared to many other wakefulness-promoting drugs. It generally causes headaches, nausea, and insomnia. You can buy Modafinil online. Modafinil generics are the same as the brand name and you can buy them from online pharmacies.

3. Solriamfetol

It is also a wakefulness-promoting agent and it works by increasing the chemicals in the brain that are responsible for the sleep-wake cycle. It is classified as a class IV controlled substance. So, it can be habit-forming. Misuse of the drug can cause addiction and can be life-threatening. It causes side effects like fast heartbeat, blurred vision, severe headaches, pounding in ears, agitation, and irritability.

4. Pitolisant

It is an antagonist drug that is mainly used to treat cataplexy. It works by increasing dopamine, norepinephrine, and histamine. The effect of one tablet taken in the morning can last till the evening. It can cause several side effects like stomach pain, loss of appetite, respiratory infection, insomnia, nausea, headache, and body pain. There is a high risk for drug misuse and abuse.

5. Sodium oxybate

It is different from other narcolepsy medications. While other medications are taken in the morning to get rid of daytime sleepiness, Sodium oxybate is taken in the night before going to bed to have a deep sleep at night. It has sedation effects and the effects last for 4 hours. Another dose should be taken after 4 hours to ensure you get 7-8 hours of deep sleep. The drug is often illegally used by young adults. The side effects are severe and include bed wetting, dizziness, feeling drunk, headache, and nervousness. It can also cause numbness, creeping, pricking, and burning of the skin.

Which is the best medication?

Modafinil seems to be the best because it works effectively and its side effects are rare and mild. Consult your doctor for dosage and to know about warnings and interactions. Buy Modafinil online or in brick and mortar pharmacy with a doctor’s prescription. Going for the generic version will save you hard-earned money.