Z hypnotics in the management of narcolepsy: a case series
Recommended Citation
Aboukasm A, Reffi AN, and Drake CL. Z hypnotics in the management of narcolepsy: a case series. J Clin Sleep Med 2024.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-30-2024
Publication Title
J Clin Sleep Med
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES: Here we report our experience treating patients with narcolepsy using benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BzRA), zolpidem (Zol) or eszopiclone (Esz) taken at bedtime for both excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and cataplexy.
METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 53 patients diagnosed with narcolepsy, between 2002 and 2023. Twenty-three patients, 8 with type1 (NT1), 13 with type 2 (NT2) and 2 with secondary narcolepsy, were treated with BzRA's (20 Zol and 3 Esz).
RESULTS: Seven out of 8 (88%) with NT1, 9 out of 13 (69%) with NT2 and 2 out of 2 (100%) with secondary narcolepsy, treated with BzRA, had good to excellent subjective response in their symptoms of EDS and/or cataplexy; 5 patients, 1 of whom with NT1, had marginal or no response. Three of the responding patients remained on zolpidem in monotherapy (ie. no stimulants).
CONCLUSIONS: The BzRa drugs may be effective to manage several of the cardinal symptoms of narcolepsy, regardless of the narcolepsy type. Placebo controlled trials are needed to confirm our observations.
PubMed ID
39745471
ePublication
ePub ahead of print
