Evaluation of short-term and long-term treatment of the narcolepsy syndrome with clomipramine hydrochloride.
Clinical examinations, questionnaires, and 24- or 36-hour polygraphic recordings were performed on 21 adult patients with the narcolepsy syndrome to investigate the short- and long-term effects of clomipramine HCL. Cataplexy was improved by the medication, but tolerance was observed 4 1/2 months of treatment. Clomipramine HCL induced significant changes in the sleep EEG, chin EMG, and EOG. In two patients, clomipramine HCL caused a nocturnal myoclonia that produced insomnia. Sexual side effects were seen with clomipramine HCL, particularly in males. A combination of clomipramine HCL and L-Dopa apparently prevented this difficulty in one patient. A rebound of cataplexy was seen during the 15 days following withdrawal of the drug. Methysergide maleate was found to be ineffective on cataplexy in four patients.
D000328:Adult; D002385:Cataplexy / Q000188:drug therapy; D002997:Clomipramine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003984:Dibenzazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008784:Methysergide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009290:Narcolepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D013997:Time Factors
D003984:Dibenzazepines; D002997:Clomipramine; D008784:Methysergide