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Update on Therapy for Narcolepsy

  • Sleep Disorders (S Chokroverty, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Treatment Options in Neurology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Opinion statement

Narcolepsy is a severe, incurable, neurological disorder that is treated by pharmacological management of its symptoms. The main symptoms are excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and cataplexy, although addition symptoms that may require treatment include sleep paralysis, hypnagogic hallucinations, and disturbed nocturnal sleep. Sodium oxybate and modafinil/armodafinil are the first-line treatments for EDS, and sodium oxybate for cataplexy. Sodium oxybate treats all the symptoms of narcolepsy, whereas modafinil is effective for EDS only. Alternative medications for EDS include methylphenidate or amphetamines such as dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine, methamphetamine, or combination amphetamine salts. Non-FDA approved medications for cataplexy include norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors such as venlafaxine or atomoxetine. Combination therapy can be more effective for sleepiness such as sodium oxybate and modafinil/armodafinil. Medication for narcolepsy is generally well tolerated and usually required life-long although does not eliminate all symptoms of narcolepsy.

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Conflict of Interest

Michael J. Thorpy declares the receipt of honoraria and consulting fees from Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Cephalon, Inc. (now Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.).

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by the author.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sleep–Wake Disorders Center, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA

    Michael J. Thorpy MD

  2. Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 111 East 210th, St. Bronx, NY, 10467, USA

    Michael J. Thorpy MD

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  1. Michael J. Thorpy MD
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Correspondence to Michael J. Thorpy MD.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Sleep Disorders

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Thorpy, M.J. Update on Therapy for Narcolepsy. Curr Treat Options Neurol 17, 20 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11940-015-0347-4

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