What medications work best for narcolepsy?

Answer 1

there are a lot of medication options. And something else to consider is that narcoleptics often suffer from additional issues like: restless legs syndrome, apnea, and cataplexy, which may require their own medications. I have been diagnosed with narcolepsy for over 12 years and in that time i have taken Ritalin: This did keep me awake but i had to take it 3 times a day, and I wasn't great about taking them at the exact right times. And if i didn't take them at the exact time i was supposed to, i would really feel a "crash". I decided that the ups and downs were to extreme. But many people take it and it works for them. I think it's important to learn about the options and then try one and see how it works for YOU. Everyone responds differently. Dexedrine: this worked well to keep me awake but I occasionally felt like i was buzzing and I didn't like the research that i was reading about the affects that amphetimenes can have on your body. So i looked for an alternative. Provigil: much better! This is great for me, it is not an amphetimine and I think it does a much better job of keeping me awake and stablized. I currently take a generic version that is 100% fine. Unfortunately the greedy drug manufacturing companies in the US have actually paid generic drug manufacturers NOT to make a generic of provigil, so i have to order it from Canada. The price is much better and the quality is the same, they mail the pills to me, and the customer service is fantastic.

Answer 2

Doctors prescribe various medications to treat the symptoms of narcolepsy. The most common symptom is excessive daytime sleepiness, so most patients will have some type of stimulant. Provigil and Nuvigil are excellent stimulants because they are effective central nervous stimulants that do not elevate the heart rate. Amphetamines may also be prescribed.

Other symptoms require other medications. Patients with cataplexy sometimes see results from taking antidepressants.