Hypersomnia is a sleep disorder in which patients are prone to excessive and prolonged sleeping. This also causes difficulty in waking up as the disorder is caused by the action of the central nervous system. Two types of hypersomnia have been defined; primary hypersomnia or idiopathic hypersomnia, and recurrent hypersomnia or the Kleine-Levin syndrome. Idiopathic hypersomnia can also exhibit the symptoms of narcolepsy.
A number of medications are used in the treatment of hypersomnolence and idiopathic hypersomnia. As hypersomnia is caused by the action of the central nervous system, nervous stimulants are found to be the most effective hypersomnia drugs in its treatment.
Some of the top drugs and hypersomnia medications are listed below.
- Ritalin®: This is probably one of the most effective hypersomnia drugs to increase wakefulness without causing the patient to feel tired. Ritalin is a hypersomnia medication that belongs to a class of drugs called methylphenidates, which are preferred by physicians as well as patients for their non-addictive effect and high efficiency.
- Provigil®: This medication for hypersomnia, and more particularly idiopathic hypersomnia, is manufactured by Cephalon and has been approved by the FDA to counter the disease. It helps cure excess sleepiness caused by obstructive sleep apnea, narcolepsy, excessive daytime sleepiness, and shift work sleep disorder.
- Nuvigil®: Nuvigil, also known as armodafinil, is very helpful for those with hypersomnia and produces a feeling of wakefulness. This hypersomnolence drug from Cephalon is also approved by the FDA.
- Modiodal®: Modiodal is an idiopathic hypersomnia treatment from the class of drugs called Modafinil. Approved by the FDA, this drug enhances sleep quality and also helps with sleep reduction.
- Clonidine: Catapres®, also known as Clonidine, is a hypersomnia drug used to treat idiopathic hypersomnia. It is an adrenergic agonist. Some of its important uses include the treatment of neuropathic pain as well as hypersomnia and narcolepsy.
- Xanax®: Xanax is a hypersomnia drug that falls under the class of drugs called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs). This drug is used in the treatment of mood disorders, depressive syndromes, as well as for hypersomnolence.
- Imipramine: Imipramine is a tricyclic drug. This medication for hypersomnia is known to be much safer than SSRIs as it has much lower side-effects or addictive effects. It has been very successful in treating hyperosomnia without causing drug dependence.
© Newsmax. All rights reserved.