CLINICAL-ASSESSMENT OF MODAFINIL

Very troublesome for patients in their social and occupational activit ies, daytime sleepiness is a cause of a large number of accidents. The first treatment is chronobiological and excessively long working hour s must be avoided. Intentional naps planned over the day improve alert ness of patients. Nevertheless, patients must be treated in order to r ecover a normal life. Amphetamines are certainly effective, but have n otable adverse effects and are associated with a risk of addiction. Mo dafinil has been prescribed officially in France since September 1994 for the treatment of daytime sleepiness in patients with narcolepsy an d idiopathic hypersomnia. Therapeutic efficacy in these conditions has been confirmed; the percentage of responders is about 70%. Safety and acceptability is excellent, adverse effects are minimal, and no evide nce has been found of intolerance regarding laboratory parameters and liver function in particular. No subjective disturbance of sleep has b een reported and no evidence suggesting dependence has been found foll owing sudden withdrawal. Modafinil enables patients to to regain a sch ool, family, social and occupational existence close to normal.