How Is Narcolepsy Treated?

There is no cure for narcolepsy, but many of the symptoms of this disorder can be relieved with medicines and lifestyle changes. Treatment for narcolepsy is based on the type and severity of symptoms. Some medicines help relieve daytime sleepiness, while other medicines may help prevent the sudden loss of muscle tone and movement (cataplexy) or vivid dreams while falling asleep or waking up (hallucinations) that some people with narcolepsy have. Not all medicines work for everyone. It may take weeks to months for your doctor to find the best treatment for you.

Medicines To Relieve Daytime Sleepiness

Doctors may prescribe stimulants to increase daytime alertness in narcolepsy patients, including:

• Modafinil
• Pemoline
• Methylphenidate
• Amphetamines

Modafinil is the newest stimulant for treating daytime sleepiness in people with narcolepsy. Modafinil may not be strong enough to relieve sleepiness in everyone with narcolepsy, and Modafinil is sometimes prescribed with another stimulant to give more complete relief from daytime drowsiness.

Medicines To Relieve Other Symptoms

Several different antidepressant medicines can be used to treat the sudden loss of muscle tone (cataplexy), vivid dreams while falling asleep and waking up (hallucinations), and inability to move or speak when falling asleep or waking up (sleep paralysis) that affect some people with narcolepsy. These medicines affect the chemicals in the brain that seem to play a role in narcolepsy. People with cataplexy need to check with their doctor to find which treatment will work best for them.

Lifestyle Changes

If you have narcolepsy, it is important to combine any drug treatments with lifestyle changes that help lessen symptoms. By taking regular naps at times during the day when you are feeling the sleepiest, you may need less medicine to treat daytime sleepiness. You should also try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day, and give yourself at least 8 hours to sleep each night. To make it easier to fall asleep at night, you can:

• Do something relaxing before bedtime, such as taking a warm bath.
• Keep your bedroom or sleep area quiet, comfortable, and free of light and distractions, such as a TV or computer.
• Exercise regularly, but not within 3 hours of bedtime.

A few hours before bedtime, you should also try to avoid substances that can make it hard to fall or stay asleep. These substances include:

• Caffeine in coffee, chocolate, and certain soft drinks and teas
• Tobacco
• Alcohol
• Certain over-the-counter and prescription medicines