MODAFINIL IN DIURNAL SLEEPINESS - A STUDY OF 123 PATIENTS

The efficacy of modafinil, a psychostimulant drug acting on postsynapt ic cu-l adrenergic receptors, as a treatment for excessive daytime sle epiness was studied in 123 patients. Subjects included 94 narcoleptic patients (76 with cataplexy), 23 hypersomnia patients and 6 patients w ith disrupted nocturnal sleep (DNS) and excessive daytime sleepiness ( EDS). Clinical efficacy of the treatment on each symptom (EDS, cataple xy and DNS) was evaluated on a four-point scale from excellent to abse nt. The effectiveness of modafinil as a treatment for EDS was excellen t in 17% of all patients, good in 63%, fair in 17% and absent in 3%. T he incidence of side effects was rather low (14 of 123 patients) and m ost of them disappeared (11 patients) when doses were reduced.