Modafinil is very Effective Drug in Narcolepsy Treatment
Modafinil is very Effective Drug in Narcolepsy Treatment
Modafinil is a modern day drug that is successfully being used to treat many neurological diseases including narcolepsy. Narcolepsy is an illness that is instigated by imbalances in the brain of the chemicals that regulate our desires to be in either states of sleep or wakefulness.
This disorder is often inherited and symptoms usually develop during teenage years. It is believed that one in 2,000 people have narcolepsy with equal affects among men, women and most racial groups.
As the very first non addicting drug for the treatment of narcolepsy modafinil represents a safe and effective aid from excessive daytime sleepiness.
A study published in an issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology dated March 14, 2000 was the first to confirm that modafinil did not cause a dependency or persistence of withdrawal symptoms. According to neurologist Paul Gross, MD (the study's corresponding author), "Modafinil represents a significant advance in the treatment of narcolepsy and offers patients an excellent alternative to current treatments"
Previously narcolepsy treatments needed amphetamines and amphetamine-like stimulant drugs. These stimulants triggered high blood pressure, anxiety and changes in the heart rhythm which led to drug dependency. When the patient stopped taking the drug it had potential for serious withdrawal symptoms.
One study involving 271 patients that were at 21 U.S medical centres for nine weeks entailed patients being given either 400 mg of modafinil, 200 mg of modafinil or a placebo which was an inactive pill on a daily basis. For a further two weeks researchers continued to assess the patients that had been taken off modafinil to identify any withdrawal effects.
Those patients who received a 400 mg or a 200 mg dose of modafinil revealed similar improvements in their ability to stay awake for a longer period during inactivity in comparison to those taking the placebo. Patients were placed in a darkened room and were able to remain awake longer as a result of the modafinil. Those patients who had taken modafinil also reported feelings of significantly less sleepiness during their normal daily routine.
It was found that patients did not experience any withdrawal symptoms when taken off modafinil and were able to return to their earlier levels of sleepiness. Numerous studies have affirmed Modafinils effectiveness in treating narcolepsy.
There have been no other related side effects nor sleep disturbances experienced by modafinil treatment.