Stanford researcher shows once-nightly narcolepsy drug is safe, effective

Narcolepsy is a health condition that affects the lives of many patients preventing them from working efficiently. People suffering from narcolepsy may not be suitable for certain professions. There are several challenges posed by this health condition. It is important to understand the symptoms and effects of this health condition to know the true gravity of the problem. Here we have shared facts about narcolepsy. We have also shared information about Modafinil medicine often prescribed to narcolepsy patients.  A glimpse on the modern research on medicines for narcolepsy has also been shared in this post. Read to understand different aspects of narcolepsy treatment.

Narcolepsy: A Sleep Disorder

Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder where the patient suffers from excessive daytime sleepiness. He may doze off anywhere at any time. The patient of narcolepsy may fall asleep while working or even eating. This condition is dangerous for people who are in professions that require constant attention. The common symptoms of narcolepsy are listed below:

Excessive Daytime Sleepiness

Patients of narcolepsy fall asleep anytime and anywhere without prior warning. Patients may be doing some activity when they suddenly fall asleep. They may doze off for a few minutes or up to half an hour. Once they have risen from the sleep, they feel temporarily refreshed. However, excessive daytime sleepiness prevents narcolepsy patients from focusing on important work during the day. The symptom also affects their efficiency at work.

Sudden Loss of Muscle Tone (Cataplexy)

Patients of narcolepsy also suffer from a peculiar sudden loss of muscle tone referred to as cataplexy. This symptom is often triggered by intense emotions such as anger, happiness, fear or anxiety. Some patients may experience slurred speech while others may experience a complete loss of muscle tone for a few seconds. 

Sleep Paralysis

Sleep Paralysis is a symptom common to several neurological conditions that are associated with sleep quality. Sleep paralysis occurs in sleep during the first one hour or while waking up during the last few hours of sleep. In this condition, the patient is totally aware of the surroundings but is unable to move or speak. This condition can be frightening. It happens because the mind wakes up before the body from REM sleep.

Variation in Sleep Patterns

REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep occurs about 60-90 minutes after you fall asleep. This is the stage of sleep where the brain becomes active again but the body loses muscle tone to prevent movement. Sufferers of narcolepsy enter into REM sleep much sooner. They can go into REM sleep as early as 15 minutes into sleep. This is also partly responsible for cataplexy in narcolepsy patients.

Hallucinations

Some patients of narcolepsy may also suffer from hallucinations. These occur when the person is either falling asleep or waking up. These are vivid and sometimes frightening to the patients.

What is Modafinil Medicine?

The most common medicine prescribed to people suffering from narcolepsy is Modafinil. The medicine works to increase daytime alertness in the patient. The medicine is only prescribed to patients if their health condition affects their routine life and potential. Modafinil medicine alters certain chemicals in the brain to promote wakefulness.

What are the Brand Names in Which Modafinil Medicine is Available?

Modafinil medicine is available in multiple brand and medicine names like Modalert, Modvigil, Nuvigil among others. The medicine should only be consumed after you consult your doctor.

When Should You Use Modafinil Medicine?

In most cases of narcolepsy, the severity is manageable. The doctors simply prescribe some changes in sleep habits to manage the condition. The doctors will only recommend Modafinil medicine when the severity of the sleep disorder affects the patient’s work or personal life.

What are the Side Effects of Modafinil Medicine?

Like most allopathic medicines, there are side effects of using Modafinil medicine. Here we have shared a list of the main side effects of Modafinil medicine:

• People may have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep after using the Modafinil medicine.
• People with a sensitive gut may experience digestive issues like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and indigestion.
• Some people have also experienced headaches and dizziness as a result of using Modafinil medicine.
• Some people also complain about excessive sweating, facial flushing and heart burn as a result of Modafinil medicine.
• The medicine also may be habit forming if used regularly.

What are the natural methods prescribed to manage Narcolepsy?

Narcolepsy is often the result of sleep deprivation. This can be corrected by ensuring proper sleep and rest for a few months. To ensure better quality of sleep, the following measures can be taken:

• Maintain good sleep hygiene in the room. Maintain complete darkness. Avoid sounds that can disturb sleep. You may play soothing music in the background to enable better sleeping.
• Avoid drinking tea, coffee and other stimulating beverages at least 3-4 hours prior to bedtime.
• It is best to complete dinner at least two hours prior to bedtime.
• Avoid the use of mobile phones, laptops and other digital devices at least an hour prior to bedtime.
• Try to maintain a fixed bedtime. This will help you fall asleep sooner at the chosen bedtime.

How to Buy Modafinil Medicine Online?

Modafinil can now easily be purchased online. The medicine is prescribed by the doctors to patients suffering from narcolepsy or shift work disorder. Here are some simple things to remember when you buy modafinil tablets online:

• Always buy modafinil tablets online from trusted stores like Secure Pharma Online.
• Check the expiry date of the medicine before you place your order.

Compare prices to ensure that you pay the money as per the MRP when you buy modafinil tablets online.

• Always check the dosage of the tablets before you order the medicine.
• Read through the refund and return policy of the store.
• Red through the terms and conditions of the store.
• Check the shipping policy to ensure that medicines will be delivered to your chosen location.
• Check the address you have provided for delivery before you place the order.

Since Modafinil does not cure narcolepsy, you may not always want to buy modafinil tablets online. You may seek other solutions to tackle your sleep disorder. Some research is also going on in the same lines.

Stanford Research on Nightly Narcolepsy Drug

Studies were being conducted by the Stanford researchers on medicines to deal with daytime sleepiness in narcolepsy patients. The result of the phase 3 study confirms that slow-release sodium oxybate medicine can benefit narcolepsy patients. The FDA has approved the multiple benefits of sodium oxybate in narcolepsy patients. The medicine helps to reduce daytime sleepiness as well as muscle tone weakness witnessed by these patients. The medicine works to improve the quality of nocturnal sleep, thus improving life for narcolepsy patients. 

Benefits of this No-Awakening Sodium Oxybate Drug in Tackling Narcolepsy

Initially, doctors prescribed Sodium Oxybate medicine that was to be consumed twice in one night. The first tablet was to be consumed right before bedtime. The second dose of this drug was prescribed to be used four hours after the first dose. Since this involved waking up at night for having the medicine, 27% of patients failed to take the medicine on time.

Narcolepsy is a challenging health condition. Using Sodium Oxybate medicine can help to counter several common symptoms of this health issue such as muscle tone weakness, daytime sleepiness and lowered focus among others. The advent of the slow-release sodium oxybate pill will help the narcolepsy patients deal with these issues. The chances of skipping the dose are also reduced because the patients don’t have to wake up just to have the medicine.

The Study Conducted to Confirm the Benefits

A joint study was conducted by 71 centres in US, Canada, Australia, and Europe between November 2016 and March 2020. There were 222 candidates above the age of 16 who volunteered to have either the slow-release sodium oxybate drug or Placebo pills without being informed what they were using. Volunteers who used the high dose slow-release drugs experienced multiple benefits. They experienced lowered daytime sleepiness as well as lowered cataplexy episodes.

The medicine may be helpful in severe cases of narcolepsy. The side effects that arise from this medicine are:

• Nausea, headache and dizziness
• Frequent urination
• Lowered appetite

Important Things to Consider Before Starting any New Medicine

If you think the sodium oxybate slow-release drug will benefit you, consult a doctor to confirm the same. Inform your doctor about the symptoms of narcolepsy you experience. You should also tell the doctor about any medicines you are using on a regular basis. It is also a good idea to discuss your health history with the doctor. The doctor may then ask a few questions about your health and you must answer honestly. Once the doctor is also sure that the medicine will benefit your condition, he will prescribe the medicine to you.

It is possible to order medicines online if you know the name of the medicine and the dosage. Online pharmacies will ask for the prescription before selling the medicine to you but here you can buy without any prescription.