Fluoxetine (also referred to as fluoxetine hydrochloride).The drugs used for the treatment of cataplexy include a number that are most commonly used as anti-depressants (though that is not why they are used to treat narcolepsy). Dexamfetamine sulfate (also spelled dexamphetamine sulphate, usually just called dexamfetamine).Methylphenidate hydrochloride (or just methylphenidate).Sodium oxybate and pitolisant are specialist medications with a different mode of action and are dealt with separately below. The drugs used for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness are generally "stimulants" and wake-promoting drugs that increase alertness and reduce excessive sleepiness during the day. Drugs for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS)
For many of these, you can find more information by following the link to our webpage devoted specifically to that drug, where in many cases you will also find links to the relevant British National Formulary (BNF) page on the website of NICE, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and - where available - to the relevant Patient Information Leaflet produced by The Pharmacy Department at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital for their patients. In this resource article, we list many of the medications most commonly used to treat narcolepsy. Many of the medications for narcolepsy are “shared care” drugs, where the consultant/specialist and GP share the monitoring of the drug. Others are not licensed for that use but, because there is evidence that they are effective, they can nonetheless be prescribed by a specialist physician. Some of the drugs that are used are licensed for the treatment of one or more symptoms of narcolepsy. Similarly, it may take some time to work out the best dose of each drug. Following your diagnosis, it is very common to try several different drugs or combinations of drugs before settling on the optimal treatment regime. What works best for one patient does not necessarily also work best for another, and you and your doctor will need to work together to find the treatment that is most suitable for you. Some people with narcolepsy are prescribed only one medicine, but for many the best results are obtained using a combination of two or more different drugs. The treatment of idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) often involves many of the same medications.
As there is no cure for narcolepsy at present, the medication that is prescribed for the treatment of narcolepsy aims to control the major symptoms of the condition, particularly excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy.
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