To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: DG DISPATCH - APSS: Switch To Modafinil Benefits Patients With Narcolepsy URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/1D68C6.htm Doctor's Guide June 20, 2000
By Jill Stein Special to DG News
LAS VEGAS, NV -- June 20, 2000 -- New findings indicate that the wake-promoting agent modafinil significantly improves symptoms of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in patients with narcolepsy who do not respond to treatment with central nervous system (CNS) stimulants commonly used to treat EDS.
The results were presented at the 14th Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Societies by Dr. Jonathan Schwartz, of Integris Southwest and Baptist Medical Centers in Oklahoma City, OK.
The trial included 151 patients with narcolepsy, 18 to 65 years of age, who had been unsatisfactorily treated for EDS with dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate or pemoline. Prior treatment was considered unsatisfactory because of low tolerability, tolerance, abuse, dependence, patient dissatisfaction or the need for a drug holiday.
After a two-week washout period, all patients received once daily modafinil, 200 mg, for one week. At the beginning of week 2, the investigator could increase the modafinil dose to 400 mg per day. During weeks 3 though 6, patients received their optimal dose of modafinil (either 200 mg or 400 mg per day).
Efficacy was assessed by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) at baseline and at weeks 1, 2, and 6.
Approximately 70 percent of the patients were taking 400 mg modafinil daily, and 21 percent were taking 200 mg modafinil daily during weeks two through six, Dr. Schwartz said.
The mean ESS scores were significantly improved from baseline as early as week 1 and improvements in EDS were maintained throughout the study regardless of the stimulant previously received. After six weeks of treatment with modafinil, 79 percent of the patients were rated by the investigators as clinically improved and 62 percent were rated as "much improved" or "very much improved."
Results also showed that modafinil treatment was well tolerated.
Related Link: modafinil (Provigil). --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.