Effectiveness and safety of Modalert in treating narcolepsy

In some people with narcolepsy, medication can reduce or eliminate the episodes of sudden muscle weakness (cataplexy). Other medications can help improve alertness.

Modalert 200mg Australia used to treat narcolepsy include amphetamines like dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) and methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, Metadate). These medications increase brain levels of dopamine, a chemical that promotes wakefulness.

Symptoms

A person with narcolepsy will experience a number of symptoms, including excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), falling asleep spontaneously and "sleep attacks" that cause sudden weakness or loss of muscle control. Often, these episodes are triggered by strong emotions or stress. Occasionally, they occur in the presence of other disorders such as seizure disorder or depression.

People with narcolepsy have an increased risk of a number of cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities. They may also have a higher risk of weight gain and gastrointestinal tract problems, such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. They are at an increased risk for psychological disorders such as manic depression and aggressive behaviour.

In addition, the disorder causes a variety of difficulties at work or school. People with narcolepsy are at risk for being misjudged as lazy or rude, especially if their condition is not well controlled. They may also be at risk for accidents such as falling down a flight of stairs or driving while tired.

Treatment options for narcolepsy are available. A healthcare provider will usually start by evaluating a patient's sleep-wake pattern. This can be done with a simple device called actigraphy, which records your activity throughout the night and day. The doctor will also want to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms, such as obstructive sleep apnea and depression.

Diagnosis

People with narcolepsy have extreme and persistent daytime sleepiness that affects their work, school, and social life and increases their risk of serious accidents. The condition also causes sudden loss of muscle tone, called cataplexy (KAT-uh-pleksi), which can be triggered by strong emotions such as laughter.

Narcolepsy can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can look like other health problems. Your doctor may ask you to keep a diary of your symptoms for a few weeks and ask for your family history. They will do a physical exam and check for other possible causes, such as an underactive thyroid gland. If they think you have narcolepsy, they will refer you to a specialist in sleep disorders. There, they will do a test to find out why you are so tired during the day. This is usually an overnight test called a polysomnogram (PSG).

During the PSG, a trained technician will monitor your heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and eye movements to see how you are sleeping. They will also measure when you fall asleep and how quickly you enter REM sleep. Another important test is an actigraphy, which measures your movement during the night and during the day. They will also check for a genetic blood test to find out if you have the gene that makes you more likely to develop narcolepsy.

Treatment

Modalert 200 tablet is a wakefulness-promoting medication that is used to treat excessive daytime sleepiness caused by narcolepsy and other sleep disorders. It works by altering the levels of chemicals in the brain that control wakefulness and sleep. It inhibits the reuptake of these chemicals, which increases their availability and promotes wakefulness. It also has cognitive-enhancing properties that can help with focus, alertness and productivity.

Stimulants have been used since the 1930s to improve alertness in narcoleptic patients and others who suffer from hypersomnia. Amphetamines are the most commonly used, and many people find them to be the most effective, although they can cause side effects such as a dry mouth, stomach pain, increased blood pressure and anxiety. Amphetamines may also interact with certain medications, such as a blood thinner (anticoagulant) or monamine oxidase inhibitors. A newer medication called solriamfetol can also improve alertness in narcoleptics by increasing levels of the chemical norepinephrine, but it is not yet available in the United States.

Research has shown that modafinil online australia significantly improves real driving performance and simulated testing in narcoleptic patients with hypersomnia, and also reduces the risk of car crashes and other accidents in these people. It is thought that modafinil produces its wakefulness-promoting effects by acting on orexin neurons in the hypothalamus, which project throughout the central nervous system.

Side effects

Medications are a core therapy for most people with narcolepsy, and they often produce large improvements in sleepiness. However, the most effective medications can have a range of side effects, and finding a combination that produces adequate benefits with few problems can take time. Medications for narcolepsy may include modafinil (Provigil), armodafinil (Nuvigil), amphetamines, or oxybates. They increase brain levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, which promote wakefulness. They also improve cognitive function, and some can mitigate the risk of cataplexy.

Some of these drugs, particularly the older ones, have significant potential for abuse and dependence. They should be used only as directed and stored in a secure place to prevent theft or misuse. Medications should be taken at the same time each day to ensure consistent effectiveness. If you miss a dose, it is important to take the missed medication as soon as possible, but not more than once per day.

Another recent medication that may be useful in narcolepsy is solriamfetol (Eszopic). It works by increasing the availability of two chemicals in the brain that help control sleep and wakefulness. Clinical trials have shown that it significantly improves subjective alertness and the ability to stay awake on the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test, as well as real-world driving performance. This drug should not be taken by anyone with a history of depression or suicidal thoughts.