Ritanserin, a 5-HT2 receptor blocker, as add-on treatment in narcolepsy.
In a double-blind placebo-controlled trial, ritanserin (a 5-HT2 receptor blocker) 5 mg/day or placebo was added to the usual medication in 28 patients with narcolepsy during 4 wk. The effect was assessed by means of polysomnography, daily and weekly subjective evaluations, and Multiple sleep latency tests (MSLT). During the night ritanserin increased the amount of nonrapid eye movement slow wave sleep and reduced wakefulness after sleep onset. It improved the feeling of being refreshed in the morning after awakening and reduced subjective daytime sleepiness. The drug did not significantly influence sleep latency in the MSLT.
Medisch Spectrum Twente, University Hospital of Leiden, The Netherlands.
G J
GJ
Lammers
J
J
Arends
A C
AC
Declerck
H A
HA
Kamphuisen
G
G
Schouwink
J
J
Troost
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009290:Narcolepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010880:Piperidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010919:Placebos; D016713:Ritanserin; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects
D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D010880:Piperidines; D010919:Placebos; D016713:Ritanserin