The effects and effectiveness of gamma-hydroxybutyrate in patients with narcolepsy.
Thirty patients with polysomnographically confirmed narcolepsy were treated with GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyrate) for up to 30 weeks. The number of nightly awakenings significantly decreased, while Stages 3 and 4 sleep substantially increased. The clinical symptoms of cataplexy, sleep paralysis, hypnogogic hallucinations, daily naps, and sleep attacks all showed significant improvements. Daytime sleepiness, while not completely eliminated, was controlled with lower doses of stimulant medication than patients were taking before the study. No patient developed tolerance to the drug, and no serious side effects were noted.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002385:Cataplexy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003913:Dextroamphetamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009290:Narcolepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D010389:Pemoline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects; D012978:Sodium Oxybate / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014851:Wakefulness / Q000187:drug effects
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D008774:Methylphenidate; D008694:Methamphetamine; D012978:Sodium Oxybate; D010389:Pemoline; D003913:Dextroamphetamine