Anyone suffering from this disabling disorder knows that there is no dearth of drugs for the treatment of hypersomnolence and idiopathic hypersomnia. They also know that many of these drugs do not yield the promised results and managing the side effects is a separate exercise by itself.
Here is a list of top hypersomnolence drugs designed to treat specific aspects of the disorder, according to http://www.newsmax.com/FastFeatures/hypersomnia-idiopathic-drugs-work/2010/11/03/id/375951
Ritalin: Most effective. Increases wakefulness without any accompanying fatigue.
Provigil: FDA-approved. Useful for excessive daytime sleepiness and shift work sleep disorder.
Nuvigil: FDA-approved. Provides a feeling of wakefulness.
Modiodal: FDA-approved. Improves quality of sleep as well as reduces excess sleep.
Clonidine: Adrenergic agonist. Also treats neuropathic pain and narcolepsy.
Xanax: Good not only for treating hypersomnolence but also for mood disorders, depression.
Imipramine: Safer option. Fewer side effects. Non-addictive. Does not cause drug dependence.
If you are not taking any of these drugs, it wouldn’t hurt to ask your doctor why.
I like Ritalin, but I often have an issue with trying to get there before all the kids with ADHD. My pharmacy kept running out, so I switched to Adderall. I DO NOT recommend Provigil or Nuvigil, as the side effects are horrendous (massive headaches, stomach cramps, and diarrhea left me only slightly more able to function than the disorder). Modiodal is another incarnation of Modafinil, which is what Provigil and Nuvigil are. IMHO, if you do not have any psychological issues, such as depression or mood disorders, amphetamines and their derivatives are probably best for easy management. After all, if you have a chronic, debilitating disorder, does it really matter if the meds you are taking are addictive?
I have taken Ritalin- only worked for a few days, Cylert- weirded me out and gave me “tunnel vision”, Modafinil- worked for 2 days, Xyrem-now there is a fun one. I would still be awake for my second dose so we kept upping it then I got to stumble to the bathroom and throw up for the rest of the night. I have been taking Dexedrine for 16 years and it doesn’t work very well any more. There is no where to go from here. I need a new drug. Anyone have suggestions?