title: Current pharmacologic management of narcolepsy.
abstract: Narcolepsy is an incurable sleep disorder characterized by attacks of sleepiness and a series of auxiliary symptoms: cataplexy, sleep paralysis and hypnagogic hallucinations. Classic treatment has included stimulants to control sleepiness and tricyclic antidepressants to control the auxiliary symptoms. Polysomnography is necessary to confirm the diagnosis and to detect other sleep disorders. Recent developments in treatment include the use of codeine for sleepiness and gamma-hydroxybutyrate for auxiliary symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Sleep Disorders Center, Mercy Hospital, Hamilton/Fairfield, Cincinnati, Ohio.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Scharf
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Fletcher
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Jennings
mesh_terms: D000662:Amphetamines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002385:Cataplexy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D009290:Narcolepsy / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012894:Sleep Stages; D012978:Sodium Oxybate / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000662:Amphetamines; D012978:Sodium Oxybate; D011433:Propranolol